Recycle Hooded Sweatshirts into Comfortable Fleece Pajamas

Hooded sweatshirts no longer fit for use can be recycled into comfy fleece pajamas with this simple craft. The objective of this craft is recycling old or disused hooded sweatshirts into comfortable fleece pajama tops. This craft potentially produces a hood and a pair of sweatshirt sleeves useful in other crafts. Here is a simple breakdown of the options of fleece pajamas you can make from your recycled hoodie.

For the hoodie clothing pajama craft, you will need:

Old hoodie sweatshirt, preferably baggy or comfortable
Scissors
Sewing kit is optional

Depending on the size and color of the hoodies, they make men's fleece pajamas, women's fleece pajamas, or children's fleece pajamas. There are several ways to cut or leave the sweatshirt sleeves, hood, and zipper, so instead of going through the craft step-by step, I will detail the options for each part of the clothing pajamas craft and let you choose what way to cut or leave your hooded sweatshirt pajamas.

Recycled Clothing Pajama decision; the sweatshirt sleeves on the clothing pajamas:

Fleece sweatshirts make great winter pajamas and the winter pajamas range from long sleeved to sleeveless depending upon your preference. Sweater sleeves can be left on; remove cuffs for more comfortable fleece clothing pajamas. The sweater sleeve can be cut to three-fourths sleeve, short sleeve, or cut off at the shoulder seam. If a tank top fleece pajama top is desired, gouge into the sweatshirt like making an a-shirt. Sweater material does not fray or come apart, so no hemming is needed. The cut edge makes the fleece clothing pajamas more comfortable; it is best to leave the cut edge.

Recycled Clothing Pajama Decision, cutting or leaving the sweatshirt hood:

Hoods on homemade fleece clothing pajamas are best for hooded pajamas, sleeping on a folded hood can be uncomfortable. To cut the hood, cut into the sweatshirt just below the hood, removing the entire hood seam from the clothing pajamas. To avoid the '80s style wide neck that falls off the shoulders, cross over the hood seam at the shoulder seam and cut straight into the hood to meet the midseam an inch and a half up from the bottom of the hood. Then continue on a straight line down to the opposite shoulder seam. You will still have a comfortable pajama top without the wide neck.

Recycled Clothing Pajama Decision, Dealing with the zipper or lack of thereof:

Assuming the zipper gets removed, there's three ways to make the front of your fleece clothing pajamas. For a closed front, leave or sew the front shut. For an open front, either remove the zipper or cut down from the opening of the hood. Buttons can be added to the fleece pajamas. Sew the buttons to one side and cut small buttonholes in the other side; they should hold because fleece sweatshirt material is durable. For a partially open front, cut open or leave a few inches of cloth below the hood. The cut can go either horizontal or vertical. A partially open front is used to keep the hood from riding up.

Now your homemade fleece pajama top is ready to be worn. Sleeveless, long sleeved, with or without a hood, open or shut, whichever way you want it. Since nobody is going to really see it, it can be worn right side in for maximum warmth or inside out for maximum comfort. If you opt to cut the sleeves or hood, I have a few ideas n how to recycle them.

Recycling the hood and the sleeves from the clothing pajamas:

The hood can be sewn to the inside collar of another sweatshirt to make a hoodie. Add the hood to a short sleeve shirt to make a lightweight hoodie for spring or autumn. If the entire sleeve is cut from the hooded sweatshirt, use the sleeves in making winter hats, removable leg warmers, a Santa hat, or just throw the sleeve on your head for a no-sew hat liner. I included these links for easy access to the corresponding articles.