Self-Sewn Pajamas Inspired by Soma Sleepwear
CEFR Level B2-C1
In the summer of 2025, I was introduced to Soma. Unfortunately, their clothing line fits me as poorly as any other ready-to-wear line. When it came to sleepwear, some things I could make work, but what is up with the skinny sleeves? This is a brand for grown women. Grown women have girth around their biceps, at least on average. Good fit relies on proportions more than a S/M/L or even largest/smallest part-measurement size.
After browsing the shop, leaving, changing my mind, coming back, trying on several items, deciding not to buy anything, and wandering the store, I finally purchased the Geo Lace Pajama Cami. I love it! The fit isn’t perfect for my body, but it’s close enough. The fabric, the shelf bra, and the fit are comfortable for sleep. I wish I had another one.
I really wanted the Crinkle Satin matching separates, but they were more expensive. The cami didn’t fit as well as the Geo cami. The pants only fit in the sense that I could get them on my body. Again, proportions.
I needed to refresh my winter sleepwear, but I couldn’t afford to buy full sets from Soma, no matter how much I wanted the knit sets. I browsed the website, considering if what I needed was worth the cost.
Then I remembered that I had similar knit fabric in my fabric cache. I bought it with the plan to make t-shirts for fall, but with pajamas on my mind, I went looking for lace or crochet appliques to mimic the Soma designs.
My goal was to make this a no-buy project. All components had to come from my sewing supply cache.
I’m not afraid to be a little unconventional, so I ended up choosing a pale lavender-gray lingerie lace to go with the deep red fabric. Some of the lace details on the Soma products would take experimenting, so I stuck with the embellishment techniques I had practice with. I didn’t have enough fabric to risk making a failed project.
Coincidentally, I had recently finished a first try (AKA muslin) of the Silva top from Mood Sewciety’s free sewing patterns. It wasn’t something I was going to wear out and about, so instead of donating it, I decided to use it as a decorative layer on a sleep camisole. I lined the camisole with the red fabric that I made the pants out of.
I had enough fabric to also make sleep pants and a sleep t-shirt. I used the same lace on both of those to make a coordinating set. Let’s not talk about how long it took me to cut out the double-sided lace so that I had two scalloped lengths from one original length.
It hasn’t been cool enough for me to try sleeping in my new pajamas, but they felt comfortable when I tried them on.
Best part? I didn’t spend a dime (that I hadn’t already spent).
Camisole lace part is sewn from the Silva Top from Mood's free sewing patterns, except I made the straps like adjustable bra straps