I have been wanting to make my girls some leggings for months now. Leggings seem to be our go-to thing around here when it comes to wearing skirts and dresses. I was so excited when Andrea Pannell (The Train To Crazy) came out with her ‘Go To Leggings Pattern‘ because it was exactly what I had been thinking about for the girls. I decided to do a ruffle adaptation of the pattern because…..um…..I guess I just can’t leave well enough alone.
If you haven’t visited the Go To Pattern Shop, you should go take a look around. There are loads of patterns from different designers that are sure to inspire your creativity.
Let me tell you a little bit about this pattern. The ‘Go To Leggings Pattern‘ is a PDF pattern that comes in size 12 months through size 12. It has 5 styling options and 5 length options (including a skirt), so there are endless combinations of different styles of leggings you can create.
If you’ve never used a PDF pattern, they are very easy to use. You simply print the pattern out on your home computer (8.5” x 11” paper) and then tape the pieces together to create your full sized pattern. I know some of you are more traditional (like me) and prefer paper patterns, but the ‘Go To’ patterns have some of the best instructions I have ever seen regarding how to tape all of the pattern pieces together. Also, another advantage to a PDF pattern is that you do not have to trace the pattern to preserve the original, you can simply print it out again if you would like to make a different size and it is stored in your computer.
Also, if you have ever been interested in getting started working with knits, this is a great pattern for beginners. There are lots of tips and tricks regarding working with knits. The entire pattern is 26 pages and 10 full pages are just instructions with all kinds of wonderful information.
My daughter, Savannah, has been a little picky about her clothing lately. She only wants to wear things that her mama makes for her, which is so sweet (and I know won’t last forever). I let her pick out this fabric from my stash and we decided ruffles would be really cute for her leggings.
Would you like to add some ruffles to you ‘Go To Leggings Pattern’? Here’s how…….
Cut out the full length legging pattern from the ‘Go To Leggings Patter’ and then cut off 4.5” from the bottom of both leggings pieces.
Cut four ruffles. Typically when you create a ruffle, you want it to be 2 times as long as the main piece to which you are attaching the ruffle. So the bottom of my pattern piece (size 6) was 9”, so the length of all of the ruffles was cut at 18”. Cut two ruffles 4.5” x 18” and cut two more ruffles 4” x 18”.
Make sure you change your needle when you are sewing with knits. There are special ball point needles that are designed for stretch knits. Trust me, you do not want to work with knits using your regular 80/12 needle.
Run a gathering stitch along the top edge of the 4.5” ruffle. Gather the ruffle until it is the same length as the bottom of one legging pattern piece. You should use coordinating thread, but I used white here so that you could actually see the stitching.
Pin the ruffle to the bottom of the leg of the leggings, lining up the top edge of the ruffle with the bottom of the legging, right sides together. Attach the ruffle to the leggings using a 1/2” seam allowance.
Press your ruffle down, away from the bottom of the leggings and press the seam allowance up towards the legging.
Run a gathering stitch along the top of the 4” ruffle, 1/4” from the top edge. Pull the threads to gather the fabric to equal the same width of the bottom of the leggings.
Measure up 1” from where you attached the 4.5” ruffle. You can mark this line with a fabric marking pen, pencil or chalk or you can use my favorite product, Wash Away Wonder Tape. If you use Wonder Tape, place a line of tape 1” up from the top of the other ruffle, peel off the paper backing and stick your gathering ruffle along the tape, lining up the top of the ruffle with the top edge of the tape. If you don’t use the tape, just pin the ruffle in position Stitch in place using a 1/4” seam allowance and sewing on top of the gathering stitches.
Continue sewing the pattern according to pattern instructions, making sure to catch all ends of the ruffles in the inner leg seam allowance.
THREE WINNERS!
I did receive the Go To Leggings Pattern for free, but was not compensated in any other way for this pattern review. All opinions are 100% mine.
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
Cute leggings! You can tell she really loves them!
I’m not a fan of the ruffles, but your little girl loves it and I know mine would too. I guess, it isn’t always what we want. i would love this pattern, I love all of the variations! Great job!
I love leggings on little girls! Great pattern!
Evin5 at aol dot com
Great pattern!
I’ve been eyeing this pattern for a while now, and I love seeing all of the different versions people have made.
Those leggings are adorable! I bet your daughter loved them. Thanks for the giveaway.
HA! I just made leggings (from a different pattern) BUT now I want to unwrap those presents and add a ruffle to the legging!!
I would love to learn to sew with knit fabrics…imagine the possibilities!!
Love the leggings. I haven’t worked with knit much, but would like to try.
I love leggings and I’ve been looking for a good pattern! You did a great job! Thanks for sharing!
We could definitely use more leggings for the winter! I live the ruffle adaptation!
I love the Go To Leggings pattern, I have their ebook! Super easy to follow and they always look adorable. 🙂
I love the variation on the pattern. Our girls LOVE leggings and it’s fun to have more options to than just the basics.
That is a cute leggings pattern. Lots of options.
The leggings are really cute. I have a different go to pattern that I haven’t gotten around to using yet. My daughter loves wearing leggings under her dresses in the cold weather.
I need to make leggings too.
Very urgent.
Greetings, tina
I have been searching for a good legging pattern!! I have several granddaughters that love them and I do to especially with dresses! I love that there are different variations….
Cute leggings! I like how you added the ruffles to the bottom too.
They are so cute! I imagine just about any little girl would love them.
I really wish I had this pattern back when my daughter was growing so fast and all her pants were floods! What a fantastic idea!
So many options! I love this pattern
I love the versatility of the Go To patterns!
Love the leggings patter, they are so cute and I will have to pick it up!
The leggings are cute, but they look too long!
Hi Robin,
Nope, they are just the right length for Savannah! I wanted a full-length legging since we are in Chicago and I don’t like any skin exposed for winter. I was really impressed with the sizing……to me, they were spot on.
Very cute! They fit beautifully and the fabric does look super soft and comfy. I love that your daughter only wants to wear stuff made by you! How sweet! It is so satisfying to see your kid love wearing something you made.
Very cute leggings. Love the ruffles.
Love the ruffles and I’ve been looking for a knit pattern that is easy for a beginner and this one looks perfect. Thanks!
So cute! I am making leggings for my granddaughters for Christmas.
They do look comfy and soft. I might need to add this to my growing stash of patterns great review thank you 🙂
Nice! What a handy project to have around!
The leggings are cute! Love the options with this pattern too.
these are really cute!! great pattern and great addition!
Sew cute and easy! Love the pattern!
Darn cute!
This is a cute way to make these leggings special. She will be the only one with ruffles on her leggings, at least for a while. So cute.
The leggings are adorable! Wish my daughter was younger so I could make her some!
Great job, as usual, Lindsay! And, of course, you know I love “The Cottage Home Model” Miss Savannah! I ESPECIALLY love that photo of her going, “OH!” Beautiful. 🙂 I also love her top/dress, and her shoes, and especially the HAT! (I love hats.) Please tell her that I said she is a good employee for ‘The Cottage Mama’ company. 😉
Best,
Gloria xxoo
Those are so cute! And I’d love to win the giveaway!
Very cute! I love the ruffles. I’ve been eyeing this pattern myself.
That pattern has a lot of options, I always thought I can make leggings without pattern but this I have to buy!
Great pattern, great gifts!
Fun giveaway Thanks
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Girls love leggings and these give so many options. Yours came out really cute!
Love the leggings and your daughter is BEAUTIFUL!
Great post- love the leggings!
very cute leggings. I checked patterns and they are really nice.
Adorable! These seem just the right mix of cuteness and practicality that my busy 2 year old needs! 🙂
Thank you for the tutorial! I think it’s a very cute way to finish the leggings and something my daughter would love! I really need this pattern!
I might have to pick up that pattern. Both my girls adore leggings.
I might have to pick up that pattern. Both my girls adore leggings.
Oh wowie…very cool Leggings! Was perusing the patterns over there…looove the Sweetheart Dress! Have made a list…far passes the win! LOL Awesome job! the pictures show the projects soooo nicely.
Thanks for chance to win drawing! 🙂
I think the leggings are really sweet. Girly, but without being too crazy with the ruffles! I would definitely make some if I had a little girl to wear them 🙂
I love the leggings. I will have to definitely get this pattern since my three year old doesn’t want to wear anything other than dresses. Love the ruffles added.
What a great color you used for her leggings! Also, where did you get her cute yellow shoes? I love them!
Cute leggings and fun color! So sweet that she wants to wear only things you’ve made.
Thanks for posting! I could save a bundle if I made these 🙂
This ia a great idea. I may even find a compromise for my daughter to be able to wear her summer dresses in the winter weather!