Leggings are a staple in any activewear wardrobe, offering comfort, flexibility, and support for everything from running and gym workouts to yoga and everyday wear. Sewing your own leggings lets you choose the perfect stretch fabric, achieve a personalized fit, and create a pair that performs just as well as it looks.
The Winslet's Layla Leggings Sewing Pattern is an excellent project for beginners looking to start sewing activewear. Featuring a high-waisted silhouette, full-length legs, practical side pockets, and a supportive waistband, the Layla pattern creates leggings that are both functional and flattering.
Why Sew Leggings?
- Create a pair of high-waisted leggings that provide comfortable coverage and support.
- Add functional side pockets that are perfect for carrying essentials like your phone or keys.
- Sew activewear tailored to your own measurements for a better fit than many ready-to-wear options.
- Choose your favorite performance knit fabric for comfort, stretch, and durability.
- Make versatile leggings that are suitable for running, workouts, yoga, or casual everyday wear.
Why Choose the Winslet's Layla Leggings Pattern?
The Layla Running Leggings Sewing Pattern is designed to help sewists confidently create professional-looking activewear using straightforward construction techniques.
- Skill Level: Very Easy
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Design Features:
- High-waisted design
- Full-length leggings
- Wide supportive waistband
- Side pockets
- Designed for workouts, running, yoga, and casual wear
- Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
You'll need the following supplies before you begin sewing:
- Medium-weight stretch fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Sewing machine
- Serger/overlock machine (recommended)
- Flatlock machine (recommended)
- Tape measure
- Fabric shears
- Thread cutter
- Pins
- Sewing needles
- Tailor's chalk
- Iron
Machine alternatives
- If you don't have a serger, use a zigzag stitch with the presser foot setting lower than 1. A walking foot can also help when sewing stretch fabrics.
- If you don't have a flatlock machine, use a twin needle to achieve a similar finish. Alternatively, use a narrow zigzag stitch or a straight stitch with a looser thread tension.
- Always test your stitch settings on a fabric scrap before sewing your garment.
Fabric Recommendations
The sewing guide recommends using medium-weight jersey with a Lycra blend or ribbed stretch knit for the best results.
The sample leggings shown in the guide are sewn using poly spandex fabric containing 5–8% spandex.
This fabric is recommended because it:
- Creates a soft finished appearance.
- Resists wrinkling, shrinking, and fading.
- Provides excellent stretch for a close, body-hugging fit.
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
The Layla Running Leggings Sewing Pattern includes the following pattern pieces:
- A. Front Leg — Cut 2 Fabric
- B. Back Leg — Cut 2 Fabric
- C. Side Back — Cut 2 Fabric
- D. Pocket — Cut 2 Fabric
- E. Back Waistband — Cut 2 Fabric
- F. Front Waistband — Cut 2 Fabric
- G. Gusset — Cut 2 Fabric
The guide also includes A4/US Letter files for home printing and A0 files for copy-shop printing.
Pattern Marking
Before cutting your fabric, familiarize yourself with the markings shown on the pattern pieces. These help align the garment accurately during construction. The pattern includes markings for:
- Grainlines
- Front and back waist
- Front and back inseams
- Front and back side seams
- Hip line
- Knee line
- Hem
- Crotch line
- Crotch tip
- Crotch tip notch
- Side front notch
- Side back notch
- Side back end tip
- Side back end tip notch
- Center front notch
- Center back notch
- Side seam notch
- Front panel waist seam
- Top seam
Cutting Layout
The sewing guide provides cutting layouts for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
When arranging your pattern pieces:
- Position every pattern piece so the grainline runs parallel to the selvage.
- Pin the pattern pieces securely before cutting to improve accuracy.
- The illustrated layouts are suitable for non-directional fabrics.
- Purchase additional fabric if you're working with directional prints or fabrics with nap.
- The illustrated layouts use the medium size as an example.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Prepare your fabric carefully before sewing to ensure accurate construction.
Begin by arranging all pattern pieces according to the recommended cutting layout, ensuring every grainline arrow runs parallel to the fabric selvage.
If you're cutting with fabric shears, trace the pattern pieces first and cut just inside the traced lines, removing any pen, pencil, or chalk marks. Be sure to cut all notches along the pattern edges, as these reference points are essential for aligning the garment during assembly.
Transfer all required pattern markings—including circles, fold lines, and other construction markings—to the wrong side of the fabric using tailor's chalk or a suitable marking tool. Mark the center front on pieces cut on the fold to make assembly easier and more accurate.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1.2 cm (or 1/2 inch) seam allowance all around, 1.2 cm (or 1/2 inch) at the hem, and 2 cm (or 3/4 inch) at the top and 1 cm (or 3/8 inch) at the other three sides of the pocket.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Attach the Pocket to the Back Leg
1a. Prepare the pocket opening
Fold the top seam allowance of the Pocket (Pattern D) toward the wrong side of the fabric along the seamline. Press the fold if needed, then topstitch close to the open edge to finish the pocket opening.
1b. Attach the pocket to the side back panel
Place the wrong side of the prepared pocket against the right side of the Side Back (Pattern C) piece. Align the side back seams and side front seams, then stitch along the seamline to secure the pocket. Repeat this process for the second pocket.
1c. Join the side back panel to the back leg
Place the prepared Side Back panel on the Back Leg (Pattern B) with right sides together. Match the side back notches carefully, then sew the side back seam using an overlock stitch.
Step 2: Attach the Gusset to the Legs
2a. Sew the gusset to the back leg
Place one Gusset (Pattern G) onto the Back Leg with right sides together. Align the gusset side seam with the bottom of the back crotch as shown in the sewing guide. Make sure the crotch tip faces upward toward the waist seam, then overlock along the seam to join the pieces.
2b. Press the seam
Open the stitched pieces and press the seam flat. As an optional step, edgestitch along the seam to help stabilize the fabric.
2c. Attach the gusset to the front leg
Repeat the same process to attach the gusset to the Front Leg (Pattern A). Align the pieces with right sides together and overlock the seam.
2d. Sew the front and back crotch seams
Place the Front Leg pieces together with right sides facing. Align the crotch seamlines and make sure the gusset side seam matches the opposite front crotch seam. Overlock the crotch seam and gusset.
Repeat the same process for the Back Leg pieces, overlocking the crotch seam and gusset to complete both leg sections.
Step 3: Sew the Inseams
Place each Front Leg on top of its matching Back Leg with right sides together, aligning the inseams carefully.
Ensure that the gusset on the front and back aligns correctly and that the gusset inseams match. Once everything is aligned, overlock along the inseam to join the front and back leg pieces together securely.
Step 4: Sew the Side Seams
Align the Side Back panel with the Front Leg side seams, keeping the right sides together. Match the side front notches with the side back tip notch to ensure the pieces are positioned correctly. Overlock along both side seams to join the front and back leg sections together.
Step 5: Prepare and Attach the Waistband
5a. Join the front and back waistband pieces
Place one Front Waistband (Pattern F) on one Back Waistband (Pattern E) with right sides together. Align one of the front panel side seams and overlock along the seam to join the pieces.
5b. Complete the waistband loop
Align the remaining front panel side seam and overlock along the seam to complete the waistband. Repeat the same process for the remaining front and back waistband pieces.
5c. Sew the waistband together
Place the two prepared waistbands together with right sides facing. Align the top edges and stitch along the top seam. Once sewn, turn the waistband right side out.
5d. Attach the waistband to the leggings
Place the prepared waistband onto the leggings, aligning the waist edges together. Match the center back notch with the center back crotch seam of the leggings and align the center front notch with the center front crotch seam. Overlock all the way around the waist seam to secure the waistband in place.
Step 6: Hem the Leg Openings
Fold the hem allowance toward the wrong side of the fabric along the hemline and press to create a crisp fold.
Sew the hem using a coverstitch from the wrong side, beginning at one of the side seams and continuing around each leg opening. If you do not have a coverstitch machine, use a twin needle or a narrow zigzag stitch to maintain the stretch of the hem.
Ready to Sew Your Own Leggings?
A comfortable pair of leggings is one of the most versatile garments you can make, whether you're sewing activewear for running, workouts, yoga, or everyday wear. The Layla Leggings combine a supportive high waistband, practical side pockets, and a streamlined fit into a project that's both functional and enjoyable to sew.
With its beginner-friendly construction, detailed sewing guide, and multiple printing formats, the Layla Leggings Sewing Pattern makes it easy to create professional-looking activewear at home. Choose your favorite performance knit fabric, follow the step-by-step instructions, and you'll have a custom pair of leggings ready for your next workout.
If you're ready to make your own activewear, the Layla Leggings Sewing Pattern is a great project to add to your sewing collection.
Explore More Sewing Patterns
Browse our Pants Sewing Pattern Collection for more stylish handmade activewear, including leggings, sports bras, shorts, swimwear, and other performance garments perfect for workouts and everyday movement.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Layla Leggings on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
