Sewing a nightgown: It’s a breeze with our instructions, and with the ELFA nightgown pattern, it’s very easy even for sewing fans with little experience.
The most important things at a glance
- In this post, I will show you how you can easily sew a nightgown
- With the ELFA pattern, you can sew nightgowns in two lengths as well as a casual big shirt
- You will learn which fabrics are suitable for sewing a nightgown
- and what you should keep in mind during assembly
- Sewing level: easy
- Sewing time: 1 afternoon
For a long time, I had the idea of sewing myself a nightgown. These items are not only super comfortable but also beautiful, thanks to the imaginative jersey fabrics you can find everywhere. However, I was missing the right pattern for a nightgown. A normal dress pattern doesn't really work for sleepwear. Nightgowns and big shirts just have a completely different feel than dresses and T-shirts.
So, we came up with a pattern for a very simple and gorgeous nightgown with many variations. In these instructions, I will show you how to sew it without much fuss. If you don't have much experience sewing with jersey fabrics yet, feel free to read this post beforehand: Sewing jersey with a sewing machine
YouTube tutorial: Sewing a nightgown
Why should I sew a nightgown?
A nightgown is an uncomplicated sewing project suitable for beginners that you can knock out in no time. With the right pattern, you not only determine the length of the hem and sleeves, but also the type of fabric, the design, and the color of your new nightgown.
What fabrics can I use to sew sleepwear?
The fabric you use to sew your nightgowns should definitely consist of natural fibers. Cotton is a good choice because it is soft, breathable, and moisture-regulating. If possible, ensure the fabric complies with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or use an organic jersey.
Classically, nightgowns and pajamas are sewn from jersey fabrics. Jersey is soft, stretchy, easy to wash, and doesn't restrict movement. That's why jersey is also the first choice for our ELFA nightgown.
However, (because of the loose, oversized cut) you can also sew the nightgown or sleep shirt (in the shortest version) wonderfully out of cozy sweatshirt fabrics. Especially if you like to find yourself on the sofa in your nightgown, a slightly thicker night garment is something wonderful.
Eve found the beautiful fabrics at Hemmers Itex. You can get them in many brick-and-mortar fabric stores, but also online.
Should I pre-wash the fabric for my nightgown?
Before you start cutting and sewing, your jersey should first take a trip to the washing machine. Why? Because fabrics are treated with various finishes. These can be anti-mold agents, insecticides, or stabilizers that ensure fabrics arrive at fabric stores from production sites in good condition.
To remove these chemicals, dust, dirt, and excess dye from the fabric, you should wash it before processing and then iron it.
Reading tip: Wash fabrics before sewing?
Which sewing thread for sewing a nightgown?
When tossing and turning at night, the seams of nightgowns and similar items can sometimes be quite strained. That's why it makes sense to use a truly suitable thread. My colleague Eve, who prepared these instructions and the video, recommends using elastic threads. We are particularly fond of Seraflex by Mettler, with which we have already celebrated real success.
The trick with elastic threads: You can work with a normal straight stitch on your sewing machine and the seam remains elastic. This means: when the fabric is stretched, the seam stretches with it – "normal" sewing threads sometimes work against it. That's why Seraflex is a real discovery for us.
If you work with a serger, the seam is inherently elastic and expands with the fabric. So you can use regular serger thread* without worry and get a clean sewing result.
What do I need to keep in mind when working with stretchy fabrics?
Perhaps you are already familiar with our guide "Help, My jersey is rippling while sewing!", where I give you many basic tips? Then you are already well prepared. In case you are in a hurry, here is some more information on processing elastic fabrics:
- Use a suitable sewing machine needle: Jersey or stretch needles are perfect
- Stabilize rolling fabric edges: Elastic stay tape is very well suited for this
- Use interlock: It curls much less at the edges than single jersey
- Sew with a serger: Fabric feed works perfectly and the edges are trimmed and finished while sewing
- Use a walking foot: This helps to feed the fabric evenly with the sewing machine
- Reduce presser foot pressure: This prevents ripples from forming in the fabric
- Do not pull on the fabric while sewing: The machine handles the feed quite well on its own
- Use an elastic sewing thread: It stretches with the fabric, and you can use a normal straight stitch.
Which pattern for sewing a nightgown?
Oversized tops are often well-suited as patterns for nightgowns. Often, however, there are no side slits provided, or the neckline doesn't suit the purpose. That's why there is a SewSimple pattern for a nightgown that allows you to sew a truly cozy piece for well-being.It was important to us that beginners could easily implement the nightgown pattern. That's why we have already included the pattern template for the neckband in the pattern, for example, so you don't have to calculate the right length yourself. That makes the whole thing much easier.
Reading tip: Sewing on cuffs/neckbands
What do I need to sew a nightgown?
Besides the fabric, you mainly need your sewing machine and a bit of basic equipment:
- Jersey* or another elastic fabric of your choice
- Scissors*
- Sewing thread*
- Sewing clips*
- Jersey needle* for the sewing machine
- Iron & ironing board
- Serger & sewing machine
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