From basic leggings to unique designs, pockets, and high waists, here are the best sewing patterns we handpicked for women, men, and kids. 9 are free!
Contents list:
- Free patterns
- Free kids’ patterns
- High-waisted women’s leggings
- Women’s leggings with pockets
- For plus size women
- Other designs
- For children
- For men
- Quick Q&As
Free women’s leggings:
“Anything But Basic” simple leggings with waistband and length variations
Download now from DIBY – FREE
- Sizes: US 00 – 36.
- US 00 – 20. Hip: 34” – 48 ¾” (86 – 124 cm).
- US 14 – 36. Hip: 45 ½” – 67” (115.5 – 170 cm).
- Design: Simple leggings with 2 waistband and 4 length options: ankle, capri, knee, and mini.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knits with 4-way stretch and strong recovery.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, the pattern is designed for beginners. The leggings have a simple style and the instructions are detailed.
Simple leggings with drawstring waist
Download now from Brindle and Twig – FREE
- Sizes: XS – XXL. Hip: 35 ¼” – 44 ½” (89.5 – 113 cm).
- Design: Basic women’s leggings. Close-fitting legs. Waistband with drawstring waist.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric with good recovery. A lycra-blend jersey is recommended by the designer.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner with some sewing experience would enjoy sewing this pattern. The style of the leggings is very simple with minimal fitting involved. Some experience sewing with knit fabric would be helpful but not essential.
“Peg Legs” classic leggings with rise and leg style variations
Download now from Patterns for Pirates – FREE
- Sizes: XXS – 5XL. Hip: 34” – 64” (86 – 160 cm).
- Design: Classic’s tight-fitting leggings. Options for low/medium or high rise. Four leg length options. A maternity add-on pack is available for free here.
- Fabric: Medium-weight 4-way stretch knit fabrics with good recovery like spandex or lycra-blend jerseys, or activewear fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are available. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. Some experience sewing with knit fabrics would be helpful but the leggings are a very simple style and can be made in a more stable jersey, which would make the sewing process easier.
“Ixia” simple leggings with optional zipper detail
Download now from Mood – FREE
- Sizes: US 2 – 30. Hip: 34 ½” – 63” (86 – 160 cm).
- Design: Classic style women’s leggings. Tight fitting legs. Low rise. Optional zipper detail at the ankle. A hack for sewing a criss cross waistband is available here. A hack for sewing a mesh side panel is available here.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric. Bamboo jersey is recommended by the designer, but other jerseys or activewear fabrics can also be used.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes.
- Instructions: Minimal photo instructions are included in the blog post. There are no instructions for the optional zipper detail at the ankle.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The leggings are very simple in style, but the instructions aren’t as detailed as some of the other patterns in this list. Use a cotton blend jersey if you are not confident sewing with knits as it will be easier to sew with than a Bamboo jersey.
“Cedar” leggings with corset-style lacing at the sides
Download now from Mood – FREE
- Sizes: US 00 – 32. Hip: 34” – 63.5” (86 – 161 cm).
- Design: Tight-fitting leggings. Wide waistband with corset-style lacing details on both sides. Side mesh panel detail in the leg. High rise.
- Fabric: Medium-weight 4-way stretch knits with good recovery. Compression swimwear fabric, Ponte knit and bamboo French terry are recommended by the designer.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes. Instructions are included in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? No, I think a beginner would struggle with this pattern. These leggings feature a corset-style lacing detail at the sides and the recommended fabrics are tricky to work with. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some previous experience sewing with stretch fabrics.
Free children’s leggings:
Leggings with yoga or elastic waistbands
Download now from Sweet Red Poppy – FREE
- Sizes: 14 sizes from preemie babies to 7-year-old children.
- Design: Kids’s leggings with yoga or elastic waistband. The leggings have a lower rise in the front and a higher rise in the back for a better fit.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch. A cotton jersey with 5% Spandex or Lycra content is recommended, but double brushed polyester, French terry, and rayon spandex can also be used.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes.
- Instructions: Photo instructions are included in the blog post. There’s also a free video tutorial on Youtube.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think it’s a good first project for stretch fabrics. The style is really simple and the video instructions would be helpful for beginners.
Kids ribbed leggings with optional cuff
Download now from Lowland Kids – FREE
- Sizes: New born to age 10. Hip: 17” – 34” (43 – 81 cm).
- Design: Slim-fit leggings. Waistband. Option for hem or cuff. Option for shorts length.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric with good recovery like Rib-knit jersey or a cotton lycra. The designer recommends sizing up when using fabrics with less stretch.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are available. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a great pattern for a beginner to try since the style of the leggings is so simple. Some experience sewing with knit fabrics would be helpful.
“Little Ninja” simple leggings for kids
Download now from 5 Out of 4 – FREE
- Sizes: 0-3 months – 14 years. Hip: 15” – 27” (38 – 68 cm).
- Design: Slim-fit kids’ leggings. Options for elastic or knit-band waistband. Option for full length, capri or shorts. Option for full or half gusset.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch. For example, rib-knits, Spandex or lycra-blend jerseys, French Terry, or activewear fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are available.
- Instructions: Illustrated instructions are included with the download. They also include links to helpful video tutorials on their Youtube channel.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. This would be a great pattern for a beginner wanting to improve their skills in sewing with knit fabrics. The style of the leggings is very simple and the designer’s YouTube channel features some helpful tutorials.
“Bonny” mid-rise leggings for kids with length variations
Download now from Made for Mermaids – FREE
- Sizes: 9-12 months – 14 years. Hip: 19 ½” – 34” (49.5 – 86 cm).
- Design: Fitted mid-rise leggings. Elastic-free normal or fold-over / yoga waistband. 4 length options: boy shorts, shorties, capris, or ankle-length. Optional circle skirt add-on.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch. For example, Spandex or lycra-blend jerseys, rib-knits, French Terry, or activewear fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are available. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner wanting to advance their skills in sewing with knit fabric would enjoy this pattern since the style is so simple and easy to sew. Use a more stable cotton blend jersey to make the sewing process easier.
High-waisted women’s leggings:
“Virginia” high-waisted classic leggings
Buy now from Megan Nielsen in standard and plus sizes – $17-21
- Sizes:
- US 0 – 20. Hip: 34” – 48” (86 – 122 cm).
- US 14 – 34. Hip: 42” – 62” (107 – 157cm).
- Design: Classic close-fitting leggings. High-rise. Narrow and wide waistband options. Optional cuffed legs. Shorts view included. A pattern bundle including a kids’ version of the pattern is available here.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric with at least 40% 4-way stretch. Spandex or lycra blends are recommended as they provide good recovery.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. A paper version is also available for sizes US 0-20.
- Instructions: Illustrated instructions are included with the pattern. There’s also a detailed sew-along available here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a good pattern for an adventurous beginner with some previous sewing experience to try. The style of the leggings is very simple and a stable knit fabric can be used to make the sewing process easier. The pattern comes with detailed instructions and the additional sew-along would be helpful for beginners.
“Huby” leggings with wide waistband and no side seam
Buy now from Sew Over It – £8-14 (approx. $9.5-17)
- Sizes:
- UK 6 – 20. Hip: 34” – 48” (86 – 122 cm).
- UK 18 – 30. Hip: 48” – 60” (122 – 152 cm).
- Design: Fitted leggings for active or loungewear. Wide, elastic waistband. No side seam. Different construction methods. Optional panel detail on the waistband.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabrics with 4-way stretch or at least 50% horizontal stretch. Polyester-spandex, polyester-elastane blends, lycra-blend jerseys and activewear fabrics are recommended.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner with some sewing experience who wants to advance their skills in sewing with knit fabric would enjoy this pattern. The leggings are a simple style and Sew Over It patterns come with thorough instructions.
“S8212” Yoga / exercise leggings
Buy now from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: XXS – XXL. Hip: 31 ½” – 50” (80 – 127 cm).
- Design: Ankle or cropped length workout leggings. 2″ or 4″ waistband. Optional contrast side panel.
- Fabric: Medium-weight stretch knits with good recovery, such as activewear knits, stretch lame, or stretch velvet.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think it suits beginners with some experience. Choose one of the simpler views and a more stable knit fabric to make the sewing process easier.
Women’s leggings with pockets:
“Tino” leggings with side panel and pocket detail
Buy now from Seamwork – $16
- Sizes:
- US 00 – 16. Hip: 34” – 46” (86 – 117 cm).
- US 12 – 26. Hip: 44” – 58” (112 – 147 cm).
- Design: High-rise leggings with wide waistband. Gusset. Side panels with pockets.
- Fabric: Medium-weight knit fabric with at least 60% 4-way stretch, such as cotton spandex, bamboo jersey, rayon jersey, or nylon spandex.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would best suit someone with some experience sewing with knit fabrics. Some parts of this pattern could be difficult for a complete beginner such as sewing in the side panels and pockets.
“Flex” leggings with no front seam and pockets
Buy now from Sinclair Patterns – $9.99
- Sizes: US 0 – 30. Hip: 34 – 63” (86 – 160 cm).
- Design: Fitted, athletic-style leggings. High-medium rise with yoga waistband. Optional paneled design. No front seam. Gusset. Optional back waistband slip pocket and side pocket. Front drawstring. Three length options: full, ankle, and cropped.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch. For example, spandex, elastane or lycra blend jerseys, activewear knits, and performance or swimwear fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think a complete beginner would struggle with this pattern since there are a lot of panels to sew in and using a stretchy, slippery fabric could be difficult for a beginner to manage. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some previous experience sewing with knits.
“S8561” high-waisted leggings with front pockets and panel design variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: XS – XL. Hip: 32.5 – 48” (83 – 122 cm).
- Design: Fitted, high-waisted athletic leggings. Two length options: full-length or mid-calf. Leg panel variations. Optional contrast twisted tab detail. Front pockets. Stirrup detail. Rear curved seam. Wide waistband.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabrics, such as activewear knits, and spandex, elastane, or lycra blends.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think a complete beginner would struggle with this pattern. These leggings are an involved make with lots of panels to sew. The recommended fabrics are also very stretchy and slippery which can be difficult to work with. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with experience sewing with stretch fabrics.
“Aila” athletic leggings with pockets and ruching detail
Buy now from The Last Stitch – $15
- Sizes: US 2 – 20. Hip: 32 ¾” – 46 ½” (83 – 118 cm).
- Design: Fitted, high-rise leggings. Four length options: Bike shorts, capri, ⅞ and full length. Optional contrasting panels. Drawstring ruching detail on the side of the legs. Optional crotch gusset. Zippered waistband pocket or criss-cross back pocket options.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with with at least 65% 4-way stretch. For example, cotton spandex, lycra, performance and swimwear fabrics, or nylon spandex.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some previous experience sewing with knit and activewear fabrics. Some of the elements like the zipper, the ruching effect on the legs, and the criss-cross pocket on the back would be challenging for a beginner.
Plus size women’s leggings:
“Avery” classic leggings with no side seams
Buy now from Helens Closet – $16
- Sizes: US 0 – 34. Hip: 33” – 62” (152 – 157 cm).
- Design: High-waisted leggings with no side seams. Crotch gusset. Waistband and waistband facing with enclosed elastic. View B features an ultra-high waist and extra-long legs. You can find a tutorial for how to sew a hacked pair for maternity wear here.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch, such as spandex, lycra or elastane blends, rayon or bamboo jerseys, activewear knits, stretch velvet, or performance fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size.
- Illustrated instructions are included. There are also some additional tutorials on Helen’s Closet’s Instagram account, saved in their highlights: waistband, gusset, and pockets.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner with some sewing experience could have a go at this pattern. Some experience sewing with knit and stretch fabrics would be an advantage but the leggings are a simple style and should be easy to sew. Helen’s Closet patterns come with detailed, beginner-friendly instructions and additional tutorials on Instagram, which would be really helpful for beginners.
“Belmont” leggings and yoga pants with waistband variations
Buy now from Cashmerette – $16-20
- Sizes: US 12 – 32. Hip: 42” – 62” (107 – 157 cm).
- Design: Fitted leggings for exercise or loungewear. Two length options: full or capri-length. Options for narrow or wide fold-over waistband. High-rise. Optional flexible gusset.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch. For example, spandex, lycra or elastane blends, rayon or bamboo jerseys, activewear knits, or performance fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. A paper pattern is also available at an additional cost. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The designer suggests that the pattern is suitable for beginners if sewn without the gusset. With the inclusion of the gusset, the pattern better suits an advanced beginner with some sewing experience. Sewing in a gusset could be difficult for a complete beginner due to the stretchy nature of the suggested fabric.
Women’s classic leggings with stirrups
Buy now from Rebecca Page – $7.25
- Sizes:
- 1-10. Hip: 34” – 57” (121 – 203 cm).
- 6C – 15C. Hip: 48”- 80” (122 – 203 cm).
- Design: Classic leggings with no side seams. Enclosed elastic waistband. Foot stirrup which can be worn folded up. A child/adult bundle of the pattern is available here.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 40% 4-way stretch like spandex, lycra or elastane blends, rayon or bamboo jerseys, activewear knits, stretch velvet, or performance fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern would suit a beginner with some sewing experience wanting to advance their skills in sewing with knit fabrics. The style of the leggings is simple with minimal seaming involved so it should be an easy sew.
Other women’s leggings:
“PB Jam” workout leggings with swirl design panels
Buy now from Fehrtrade – $8.50 (approx. $10)
- Sizes: XXS – XL. Hip: 29” – 38 ⅜” (73 – 97 cm).
- Design: Close-fitting workout leggings. Contrast swirl design. Hidden inside pocket. Contrast panels at the back of the knees. Elasticated, high-rise waistband.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch, such as spandex, lycra or elastane blends, rayon or bamboo jerseys, or activewear knits.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. The curved panels that create the swirl effect would be challenging to sew in slippery knit fabrics for beginners. An intermediate sewist who’s comfortable with sewing stretchy fabrics would better suit this pattern.
Athletic leggings with side stripes
Buy now from Brindle and Twig – $12
- Sizes: XXS – XXL. Hip: 35” – 44.5” (90 – 113 cm).
- Design: Close-fitting athletic leggings. Contrasting outer leg stripe design. Elasticated waistband. Crotch gusset. Raw hem.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight 4-way stretch knit fabric. Athletic knits with at least 7% elastane content are recommended, but other spandex or lycra blends can also be used.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes.
- Instructions: Instructions are included with the download. A video tutorial is also available on Youtube.
- Suitable for beginners? No. Although the pattern is a fairly simple design sewn without the stripe, the reviews of this pattern suggests that the design is not great. An intermediate to advanced sewist would better suit this pattern and be more able to interpret any design discrepancies.
Legging patterns for children:
“Mini Virginia” basic kids’ leggings
Buy now from Megan Nielsen – $4.03
- Sizes: Ages 2/3 – 10/12. 19 ¾” – 25 ½” (50 – 65 cm).
- Design: Basic children’s leggings. Elasticated waistband. Options for sewn-on or cut-on waistband. Optional cuffs. Four knee pad designs. Two length options.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with at least 30% 4-way stretch. For example, cotton jerseys with spandex, elastane or lycra content, stretch velvet, or activewear and performance fabrics.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. A paper pattern is also available at an additional cost. Illustrated instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The style of these leggings is very simple and a stable knit jersey can be used, such as a cotton blend. Choose the continuous waistband option to make the process easier.
Children’s leggings with bow tie detail and length variations
Buy now from Bella Sunshine Designs – $6.50
- Sizes: 6 months – 12 years. 18½” – 30 ¾” (47 – 83 cm).
- Design: Basic kids’ leggings. Elasticated waistband. Options for legging or slim fit leg. Four length options: mini shorts, knee shorts, capris, and pants. Optional bow tie detail on the hem.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with 50-75% 4-way stretch and good recovery. Blends with at least 5% lycra or spandex are recommended.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner could sew this pattern as the style of the leggings is very simple. Use a stable cotton blend jersey knit fabric to make the sewing process easier. Some experience sewing with knit fabrics would be helpful but it’s not essential.
“B9415” child’s leggings pattern with optional gathered cord detail
Buy now from Simplicity – $11.87
- Sizes: Ages 3 – 10. Hip: 23” – 30” (58 – 76 cm).
- Design: Basic children’s leggings. Elasticated waistband. Optional side trim detail and gathered cord tie.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with 4-way stretch like lycra, elastane and spandex blends, activewear fabrics, stretch velvet, and bamboo or rayon jersey.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think a beginner could sew this pattern as the style of the basic leggings is very simple. Sew with a stable cotton jersey blend fabric and leave out the cord ties and side trims if you want to make the process easier.
Men’s legging patterns:
“Lightspeed” men’s workout leggings with length variations
Buy now from Fehrtrade – $8.50 (approx. $10)
- Sizes: XXS – XL. 27” – 39” (84 – 114 cm).
- Design: Men’s activewear leggings. Roomy front pouch. Optional zip pocket on the back panel. Elasticated waistband. No side seams. Two length options: full-length or biker shorts.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight knit fabric with 4-way stretch and good recovery. For example, activewear, performance, or swimwear fabric, and lycra, spandex, or elastance blend jerseys.
- Format: PDF pattern in US letter and A4 print-at-home sizes and A0 copyshop size. Projector files are available. Instructions are included.
- Suitable for beginners? The designer suggests that a beginner could sew the simple shorts version of the design. For the full-length leggings some experience sewing with stretch fabrics would be an advantage as these are a more involved make that features panels and zip pockets.
Quick Q&A’s:
Is it hard to sew leggings?
A basic pair of leggings with an elasticated waist is a simple and quick project for someone experienced with sewing knit fabrics. Simple legging patterns involve minimal seaming and fitting.
What stitch is best for leggings?
On a regular sewing machine, a small zigzag, lightning, or stretch stitch may be used. Leggings can also mostly be sewn on an overlocker / serger machine, but you’ll need to hem them on a coverstitch machine or a normal sewing machine with a twin needle or stretchy stitch.
How much fabric do I need for leggings?
Leggings can usually be sewn from around 1.5 – 2 yards of fabric, depending on the size and style of leggings.
What material do I need to make leggings?
Leggings are almost always sewn from stretch fabric. As leggings are usually very tight fitting, the stretch percentage of the fabric will need to be in the region of 40% – 70% to ensure a close fit. It’s also a good idea to look for fabrics that have at least 5% lycra, elastane, or spandex content in them so that the fabric has good recovery and won’t sag with use.
What type of thread is used for leggings?
You can use all-purpose polyester thread on your sewing machine, and a regular nylon overlocker thread on your serger. You can also experiment with using a stretchy thread for topstitching or seaming on a regular sewing machine.
What machines are used to make leggings?
Leggings can be sewn on a regular sewing machine using a stretch stitch or a serger / overlocker machine. You can also use a coverstitch machine for the topstitching details and hemming.
How do you draft a legging pattern?
It’s possible to draft yourself a pattern using a pair of leggings that you already own. Spoonflower has a great tutorial on how to do this here. It’s also possible to draft your own pair of perfect-fit leggings based on your own body measurements. Creative Bug has a class teaching you how to do this here.
Best leggings pattern?
One of the best leggings patterns on this list is the Virginia Leggings by Megan Nielsen. They have a great range of sizes available, including a children’s version. The leggings are a simple style with length and fit variations so you tailor them to your needs and taste.
What to read next:
- 50 Stylish Sewing Patterns for Women’s Pants
- 31 Sewing Patterns for Women’s Shorts
- 26 Hoodie Sewing Patterns for Men, Women, Kids
- Is Polyester Fabric Stretchy? *11 Samples Tested*
This article was written by Sally Gauntlett, and edited by Nisan Aktürk. It was published on 8 January 2023 and has since been updated.
Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…