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A recent closet cleaning coincided with Jackjack running out of pajama shorts, and a repurposing idea was born.
Find an appropriate t-shirt and lay it out flat.
Grab a pair of shorts that fit well. Turn them inside out and lay them against the edge and bottom of the shirt–this will be your pattern. Since the shorts line up with the bottom of the shirt, you won’t have to hem the shorts.
Trace around the edge of the shorts. Note that Mom’s seamstress chalk is completely petrified after sitting in the sewing box for 30 years. A pencil works just fine.
Cut along your traced line.
Flip over the piece you just cut and lay it on the other side of the shirt to cut the second leg.
Open the pieces up and pin the right sides together. Sew along the curvy parts only.
There isn’t a good way to explain the next part in words…just take a look and you’ll get it. Pick up the piece you just sewed. It doesn’t look anything like a pair of shorts, does it?
Grab it in the middle…
…and give it a shake. Amazing, huh? I sure thought so.
Now you just need to sew up the crotch and waist.
Be sure to leave an open space for the elastic, and use a safety pin to help guide it through.
Sew the waist closed, and presto! Pajama shorts.
Damn!! Wish I had read. This earlier today. Just cleaned out my sons cupboard and got rid of a huge bag of older shirts. This is a brilliant reuse. Nathan’s you.
I can’t figure out how to “sew up the crotch” after you “give it a shake.” Can you explain that a little better? Or maybe take another picture?
I have tons old tees, I’ll have to do this, Thanks!
Clever idea! I linked to it in my big list of ways to reuse things. I love T-shirt fabric; it gets so soft over time, and it doesn’t ravel much.
This is awesome!! My daughter desperately needs PJ shorts, but I refuse to pay and arm and a leg for them. This is something I can do quickly and easily! Thanks!
That’s so clever!!!! I wish I could sew but I’m just not good at that.