Pattern variation
Ribbon Trimmed Pyjamas

To make this pyjama set you will need: - The Box Shirt and The Wide-legged Trouser patterns, the fabric as indicated for your size on each pattern detail, plus 2metres of 12mm ribbon.

The pyjama top - I added a top pocket and widened the sleeves by 8cm. For the pocket, cut a rectangle 20 x 16 cm. For the sleeve place the pattern piece onto the fabric and chalk the new line as shown in red in the illustration on the left.

To make the pocket fold the top of the rectangle over (right side to right side) by 4cm. Stitch either side of the flap down and turn through. Press the flap and turn the remaining three edges in by 1cm and press. Stitch the flap down. On the right side place a length of ribbon over the stitch line and stitch in place down each side of the ribbon. Place the pocket onto the right hand front approximately 11cm from the side seam and 16cm down from the mid shoulder. Stitch in place.

To add the ribbon to the collar, fold the collar piece in two and lightly press. Fold out flat and place the ribbon 0.75 cm from the crease line and stitch in place down each side of the ribbon.

Make the shirt up as instructed then add the ribbon to each cuff. Start at the underarm seam, place the ribbon over the stitched cuff line, pin all the way around the sleeve and trim the ribbon 1cm over the cuff circumference, turn the end over by 0.5cm before stitching in place around both edges of the ribbon.

The Pyjama bottoms - this is an easy pull-on trouser with no side seams. Use the jersey version of The Wide-Legged Trouser, place the front and back sewing pattern pieces side-by-side as shown in the illustration. The waist measurement needs to be enough to pull the finished trouser over the hip. Measure your hips at their widest point, add 10cm and halve that measurement. This is the distance between point A and B. Angle the pattern pieces to achieve this measurement at the top but taper the gap down the leg. This swings each piece slightly off the grain but one cancels the other out, so the finished trouser still hangs well. Finally straightened the hem between points C and D. Then make up the trousers as instructed for the jersey version in the original sewing pattern. Add the ribbon around the bottom of each leg, covering the stitched hemline in the same way as the shirt cuff.