Sleepwear isn’t just for dozing off and dreaming — it’s a fascinating part of fashion history, culture, and personal comfort. From luxurious origins to quirky trends, here are some fun facts about sleepwear that might surprise you!

Rich and Royal Beginnings: Did you know sleepwear was originally worn only by the rich and royal? Luxurious fabrics and intricate designs were symbols of opulence. In the 1920s, silk pajamas were considered high-status items, making bedtime an elegant affair.

Fabric Favorites: Breathable materials like cotton, viscose, and bamboo can regulate your body temperature, keeping you cool or warm while you slumber. Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for sleepwear because it's breathable, soft, and hypoallergenic, making it comfortable for a good night's sleep. Flannel and fleece pajamas gained popularity in colder climates because they help trap body heat, making them perfect for chilly nights.

Our FSCO® Cozy Pajama Pants Sewing Pattern and FSCO Casual Sleeveless Crop Top Sewing Pattern are an unbeatable sleepwear combo.

PJs by Any Other Name: Sleepwear is known by different names worldwide! In Africa and South Asia, they’re called “night suits.” In the United States, we say “pajamas,” while Brits and Aussies spell it “pyjamas.”

Historical Headwear: A “nightcap” is a type of hat that was popularized in the 19th century (not to be confused with an alcoholic beverage before bed). They were used to keep heads warm during cold winter nights and had long pointed ends that could wrap around the neck like a scarf while you sleep (without risk of choking). 

Use our FSCO Poofy Short Bloomers Sewing Pattern to sew up some adorable PJ bottoms!

Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite: Footed pajamas were designed to protect feet from bed bugs and termites. Talk about fashionable and practical!

Business in the Front, Party in the Back: Before the 1950s, pajamas often featured a “drop seat” for easier bathroom access. “Drop it like it’s hot” had an entirely different meaning back then. 

His and Hers Jammies: From the 1600s to the mid-1800s, men and women wore similar nightshirts with deep neck openings and folding collars. In colder climates, men layered long johns underneath. It wasn’t until the Victorian era that distinct styles for men (like two-piece sets) and women (nightgowns and negligees) became common.

Our FSCO Relaxed Fit T-Shirt Dress Sewing Pattern makes the perfect nightgown.

Luxury Meets Leisure: In the 1920s, high-society men and women would rock pajamas at the beach! For the wealthy of that era, sleepwear blurred the line between bedtime and leisure. Now, almost everyone, regardless of class, can go to the grocery store or out for a stroll in their PJs without anyone batting an eyelash! We’ve come so far as a culture, haven’t we?

Pajamas as Streetwear: On a similar note, celebrities (like Rihanna, Selena Gomez, and even supermodels like Kate Moss) have embraced sleepwear as streetwear, proving that comfy can also be chic. Fashion icons like Coco Chanel helped revolutionize the idea of pajamas being more than just functional, especially with her love for elegant sleepwear styles.

Stay cool on warm nights thanks to our unisex FSCO Secure Fit Safety Shorts Sewing Pattern!

Record-Breaking PJ Parties: Massive pajama parties have often made history, like one in Cheshire, UK, in 2014, and another in Shantou, China, in 2015. Most recently, 2,052 IKEA employees in Älmhult, Sweden, gathered in August 2024 to set the world record for the largest pajama party. The event was part of a year-long initiative promoting better sleep.

Kigurumi Crazy: The Japanese gave sleepwear a playful twist with the popularization of a full body garment known as kigurumi — an oversized animal onesie typically made of fleece. Popularized during the rise of Japanese “street fashion” in the 1990s, kigurumi was exported to the West around 1999 and is now an anime cosplay convention staple.

National Pajama Holidays: Ever miss “Pajama Day” during Spirit Week in school? Well, mark your calendars: November 14th is National Family PJ Day, and April 16th is Wear Pajamas to Work Day! Matching sets, anyone?

Pair the FSCO Cozy Pajama Pants Sewing Pattern with our FSCO Casual Sleeveless Crop Top Sewing Pattern for ultimate sleepy-time comfort.

Cozy Etymology: The word “pajama” originates from the Hindi term pae jama or pai jama, meaning “leg garment.” It dates back to the 13th-century Ottoman Empire, and was adopted into English in the 17th century by European travelers to India.

Tech Meets Comfort: NASA developed temperature-regulating fabric for astronauts to wear in space, which inspired the creation of high-tech pajamas that keep you cool or warm depending on your body temperature.

Sew Your Perfect Sleepwear

Your dreamiest sleepwear is just a sewing pattern away! Here are some ideas to inspire you based on our First Stop Cosplay Originals catalog:

• Nightgown: Drift off in elegance by sewing your own nightgown with our FSCO® Relaxed Fit T-shirt Dress Sewing Pattern — a comfy and versatile choice perfect for lounging or bedtime.
  
• Tank Top: Stay cool and stylish in warmer weather by crafting a custom tank top using our FSCO Casual Sleeveless Crop Top Sewing Pattern — a great addition to any sleepwear set.
  
• Poofy Bottoms: Add a playful touch to your sleepwear collection with our FSCO Poofy Short Bloomers Sewing Pattern, perfect for creating ab-sew-lutely adorable bottoms.
  
• Short-Shorts: For a sporty or athleisure look, sew a pair of fitted short-shorts with our FSCO Secure Fit Safety Shorts Sewing Pattern — perfect for summer nights or layering as an undergarment.
  
• Loose Pajamas: Embrace ultimate relaxation with our FSCO Cozy Pajama Pants Sewing Pattern, the ideal way to create a pair of cool-looking, loose-fitting PJ pants for any season.
  

Don’t Forget the Bedtime Bundles!

Sew up our favorite sleepwear staples and save big by bundling:  

• FSCO Sew Comfy Bundle: Includes the Sleeveless Crop Top and Pajama Pants sewing patterns at 15% off.
  
• FSCO The Comfy Collection Bundle: Get the complete set with the Sleeveless Crop Top, Pajama Pants, and T-Shirt Dress sewing patterns at 20% off. 

Ready to bring your dream sleepwear set to life? Check out our easy-to-use sewing patterns and create pieces that are as comfy as they are stylish. Don’t forget to share your creations with us — we love to see your cozy designs!

Do you have a favorite style of sleepwear? Or are you thinking about designing a sleepwear-inspired sewing project? Let us know in the comments, or chat with us on our public Discord server and join our community of passionate sewists and cosplay enthusiasts. 

Until next time, happy sewing! 😊

Written by Karina M.