Leggings: Tutorial For Self-Drafted Ruffled Leggings
Adding ruffles can turn a boring pair of homemade leggings into something absolutely adorable! But the best thing about these self-drafted ruffled leggings is how easy they are to sew!
If you want to make your own pair of ruffled leggings for your little one, we’re here to help! With this guide, you’ll learn how to make an incredibly cute addition to your girl’s wardrobe (see also “How To Make Big Girl Briefs“).
What You’ll Need
1” knit elastic
2/3 yard of fabric, either flannel, quilting cotton, linen, knit fabric, or denim
This free printable pattern, 3/8“ seam and 1” hem
Preparing Your Material
Prewash your fabrics and iron them if necessary before starting, and then cut it out. The shape of the ruffles will also depend on the fabric you choose; ruffles made of knit materials will be soft and airy while those made of denim (see also “Sewing Denim Like A Pro: Our Best Tips And Tricks“) will be a little stiffer.
Determine the length of the pants and the ruffles after cutting out the desired size, and then draw a line across.
Remember to include your seam allowances on the new line as well. The ruffle piece needs to be almost twice as large as the new cropped line of the pants.
Creating Gathers For The Ruffles
For the following step, choose a contrasting thread because it will be quicker to take out later. Sew 1/4″ from the raw edge using the widest straight stitch.
Sew a second line that is 1/2″ away from the raw edge after that (see also “How To Sew Straight Lines“). To make it easier to untie them later, tie one end into a bowtie. A double knot will be more difficult to unravel, so make sure the bow is loose enough to do so.
Attach the rectangle’s knotted end with a pin to the pants. Pick up the two top threads and gently pull on them to slide the gathered fabric to the opposite side once one end has been secured. Once the length is in line with the pants, bow tie the other end and pin it to the bottoms.
Evenly distribute the gathers. To disperse the gathers uniformly, use a sharp object. Be careful not to rip a hole in the fabric while using a seam ripper.
When the gathers are to your liking, attach them to the pants using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Then undo the bow tie and pull out each gathering thread one at a time, popping the stitch in the center of the seamline as you go.
To prevent fraying, finish the raw edges using a serger, zigzag, or overcast stitch on your sewing machine. The seam allowance should then be pressed up and topstitched.
Assembling The Leggings
In order to verify that the ruffle seams line up properly, fold the pants and pin them. Using a 3/8″ seam allowance, sew the edges together.
Insert one side of the pants into the other after turning the other side right side out. Finish the raw edges before sewing with a 3/8″ seam allowance along the U-shaped seam. You have two options for the hem: you can topstitch it or turn the overlocked edge up and sew it.
Adding The Waistband
The elastic should be 2″ shorter than the waist size. In order to stitch the band into a loop, the waistband must be the same length as the waist of the pants plus a 1/2″ seam allowance, and a 3″ width.
Iron the loop into a crease after folding it in half. On one side, you can stitch 1/4″ from the raw edge as well, making it simpler to turn up afterward.
Right sides together, stitch the waistband to the pants using a 1/4″ seam allowance. The center of the elastic band should then be sewn with a broad zig-zag thread.
Cut the waistband and elastic into fourths. The elastic should be pinned with the quarter markings aligning along the crease. Stretch and edge sew the elastic after folding it over.
Types Of Ruffles For Future Projects
Now that you know how to make ruffled leggings, you might want to create more ruffled clothing in the future! Here are some ruffle types that you can try out on your next pair of ruffled leggings or otherwise.
Double Edge Ruffles
This is just one fabric strip that has been gathered in the middle. The end product is a center stitching line with two edges of ruffles. You’ve probably noticed this ruffle on the rear of a pair of baby underwear.
Single Edge Ruffles
This is a single strip of fabric that has been stitched to the edge of a garment after being gathered along one edge. This strip’s raw edge is often treated with one of the fabric edge finishes.
Double Width Ruffles
This is a folded fabric strip with gathering in the center; in comparison to double edge ruffles with distinct ruffles, this one layers the two edges of the fabric strip.
Circular Ruffles
When let down, these ruffles have a wonderful flare without adding bulk to the upper edge like collected ruffles do. This is the style of ruffle you see on flamenco dresses and peplums. A fabric shape in the shape of a circle is created to accomplish this effect.
Waterfall Ruffles
This refers to the ruffles that may be seen on off-the-shoulder gowns’ necklines. By gathering the neckline using an elastic thread along the seam of the neckline and extended facing, the waterfall appearance along the neckline is achieved.
Final Thoughts
This simple tutorial is all you need when making your first pair of ruffled leggings. When this project is finished, you’ll have the cutest pair of leggings that are bound to look adorable on your little one.
With practice, you might even be able to start incorporating different kinds of ruffles! Just refer back to our guide and you’ll be ready to improve your skills and sew some amazing pieces.
