Kids Clothes Week: Day 3

What is the best part of Fall? Leggings! The most comfy thing a girl (or boy) can wear!

As part of Kids Clothes Week, I am making a pair of leggings. The great thing about leggings is that they are incredibly easy to make.

This tutorial will walk you through how to make a pair of leggings by using a pair you already have as a guide.  However, you can check out this other fantastic tutorial here, if you need to make them from scratch using your own measurements.

Let the DIY Leggings Tutorial begin!

DIY Leggings Tutorial

Need:

• 1/2 yard knit fabric (for tiny ones!)
• 1 inch elastic band for waist (about 1/2 yard)
• 1/4 inch elastic band for rushing (about 1/8 yard)
• poof of tulle for accent (optional)
• matching polyester thread
• printer paper
• tape
• marker or pen
• walking foot
• ballpoint or stretch needle
• double needle (optional)

Step 1

Fold your pair of leggings in half length-wise to use as a guide. Trace around the leggings onto a sheet of paper (or many sheets taped together) with a pencil or marker.  Once the outline is created, we are going to adjust.  Because the elastic band has made the waist slightly smaller, we are going to draw lines straight up to meet the top as shown in the picture below.

Step 2

Add 1/4 inch seam allowance to the side that is not straight up and down.  The side that is straight up and down will be placed on the fold.

 

Step 3

Add a one inch seam line to the bottom of the leggings as shown below.

 

Step 4

Add 1 1/4 inch seam allowance to the top to allow for a 1 inch elastic waist band.  If you prefer a smaller waist band, use that size plus 1/4 inch.

 

Step 5

Cut out fabric carefully.  Knits are prone to stretching, so they should be laid out on a flat surface.  Try not to stretch the fabric as you cut.

Since 2 legs are needed, you will need to cut out two pieces on the fold.  If the fabric has stripes, make sure the stripes are lined up by using one piece of cut out fabric as the pattern for the second as shown below.

 

Step 6

Using your walking foot, double or twin needles if you have them, and polyester thread (for maximum stretch): Hem the bottom of both legs by folding the fabric in 1 inch.  #5 on my machine provides a good amount of stretch, however, a straight stitch can work if you slightly stretch the fabric while sewing.

• Note: If you want to do the ruched sides, now is the time! Iron the fold seam, open fabric, and sew the elastic to the wrong side of the material at the bottom of the pant leg.

One the bottom hems are complete (and side ruched detail), with a single ballpoint needle, and the zigzag stitch of your choice: sew the leg seam together until you reach the curved point (crotch).  I like the zigzag with the straight line best: #10 on my machine. However, anything that give stretch to the fabric will work.

Once both legs are complete, sew the seams up the front and back (all in one go) making a U shape.

 

 

Step 7

Add the elastic band to the top by encasing it in the excess 1 1/4 inch fabric.  Now the product is done and any decorations (such as the tulle poof can be added)!