Measurements you need
Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually ¾–1⅝ in above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2–4 cm above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.
Usually 22⅞–43¼ in.Usually 58–110 cm.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.
Usually 33⅛–51⅛ in.Usually 84–130 cm.At the side, from the waistline down to the level where you measured the hip. It helps to tie a ribbon at the waist and measure from it.At the side, from the waistline down to the level where you measured the hip. It helps to tie a ribbon at the waist and measure from it.
Usually 7⅛–8⅝ in.Usually 18–22 cm.Sit on a hard chair. At the side, straight down from the waistline to the seat. This measurement determines whether the pants will pull or hang loose at the crotch.Sit on a hard chair. At the side, straight down from the waistline to the seat. This measurement determines whether the pants will pull or hang loose at the crotch.
Usually 9½–11¾ in.Usually 24–30 cm.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 23⅝ in, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 60 cm, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.
Skirt 15¾–39⅜ in, pants 35⅜–43¼ in, shorts 11¾–21⅝ in.Skirt 40–100 cm, pants 90–110 cm, shorts 30–55 cm.How the leggings are drafted
Each leg is a single piece: the side line runs down the middle, front on the left, back on the right. At the hip, the piece width is the hip measurement multiplied by the stretch factor; at the thigh, knee, calf and ankle levels, the corresponding circumferences use the same factor. The rise is like pants, but with no ease: the knit fabric hugs the body. The back has a larger crotch extension, and the center back is raised by 1 in2.5 cm. The front and back inseams come out the same length, and the top is no narrower than the stretched hip so the leggings can be pulled on.
The pattern maker checks the draft automatically: the width at each leg level, the side length, matching inseam lengths, and the top. Results appear in the “Draft check” section.
How to sew
Sew each leg along the inseam, turn one leg inside out and slip it into the other, then sew the center crotch seam in one pass. Fold the top down by the elastic width plus ⅜ in1 cm to make a casing, and insert the elastic. Sew with an overlocker or a stretch stitch (narrow zigzag) so the seams stretch with the fabric.
How to print and tape
Download the PDF on Letter or A4 sheets and print at 100% scale, without “fit to page”. The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. Tape the sheets together with an overlap along the ⅜ in1 cm strips; sheet numbers and the assembly guide are on the first page. For a copy shop or plotter, choose “One-sheet PDF”.
What you get
A full-size leggings leg — cut two pieces mirrored; side line, hip notches, grainline, overlock seam allowances, hem allowance, and a casing at the top.
FAQ
Why is the pattern smaller than my measurements?
Leggings fit snugly thanks to the knit’s stretch. The pattern maker multiplies all circumferences by a factor: 0.95 for low-stretch fabric, 0.9 for medium stretch, 0.85 for high stretch. Stretch 3⅞ in10 cm of fabric across the grain: up to 5⅛ in13 cm is low stretch, 13–16 is medium, more is high.
Which leg measurements should I take?
Thigh (below the gluteal fold), knee, calf (at the widest point), and ankle (above the bone). If you leave them at 0, the pattern maker estimates them from your hip measurement, but with your own measurements the leggings will fit more precisely.
Can I make capris or bike shorts?
Yes, reduce the side length: about 23⅝–29½ in60–75 cm for capris, 40–50 for bike shorts. The pattern maker simply ignores leg measurements that fall below the hem.
Why is there no side seam?
This makes leggings more comfortable and faster to sew: each leg is one piece, with only an inseam and a center seam. To make the front and back inseams match, the pattern maker shifts the leg below the hip toward the back — the back has a larger crotch extension.