Have you ever seen those super cool leggings with mesh panels in a store and thought, “I wish I could make those”? Well, you can! And I’m here to show you that it’s much easier than you think.
Adding stylish mesh inserts to a basic pair of leggings is a fun project that makes your activewear look custom and professional. It’s a great way to turn a simple pattern into something truly special.
This guide will walk you through everything, step by step. We’ll cover how to change your pattern, choose your fabric, and sew it all together. Soon, you’ll know exactly how to add mesh to leggings and create a pair you’ll be proud to wear. Let’s get started!
Before You Start: Gathering Your Supplies
First, let’s get all our tools and materials ready. Having everything in one place makes the sewing process smooth and enjoyable. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make your own DIY mesh leggings.
Here is a simple list of what you will need for this project.
| Item | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| A Basic Leggings Pattern | You can buy one, or copy a pair of your favorite leggings. If you copy, make sure they are made of a similar stretchy fabric. |
| Main Fabric | A good quality knit fabric with at least 5-8% spandex or lycra. Cotton jersey works great. This ensures they are comfortable and stretchy. |
| Mesh Fabric | Look for “stretch mesh” or “power mesh.” A thicker mesh is often better and more durable, especially for activewear. |
| Waistband Elastic | A decorative elastic band (about 1.5 to 2 inches wide) is a fast and easy option. Or you can use regular elastic inside a fabric waistband. |
| Tools & Notions | A sewing machine, a stretch or ballpoint needle, pins or clips, fabric scissors, measuring tape, and matching thread. |
Step 1: Create Your Custom Leggings Pattern
The secret to perfect leggings with mesh inserts is all in the pattern. We are going to take a basic pattern and change it to include our new design. Don’t worry, this is just drawing and cutting paper.
Start with Your Basic Pattern
First, you need a leggings pattern. If you don’t have one, you can trace a pair of leggings you already own and love onto a big piece of paper.
For this project, it’s best to work with a pattern that does not have a side seam. If your front and back pattern pieces are separate, just line them up at the side seam and tape them together to create one large leg piece. Trace this combined shape onto a new piece of paper.
Draw Your Mesh Panel Lines
Now for the fun design part! Look at your paper pattern. Decide where you want your first mesh panel to start. A good spot is usually around the mid-thigh area. Draw a straight line across the pattern at this point.
Next, decide how wide you want your fabric and mesh stripes to be. For example, you might want a 3-inch fabric stripe followed by a 2-inch mesh stripe.
Use a ruler to measure down from your first line and draw another line for the bottom of the first mesh panel. Keep measuring and drawing lines for each fabric and mesh section you want. Make sure your lines are straight and parallel. This will ensure your panels look even and clean.
Cut and Label Your Pattern Pieces
Once all your lines are drawn, it’s time to cut. Carefully cut along each line you drew. You will now have several paper pattern pieces: a top section, a bottom section, and all the stripes for the middle.
This next part is very important! Label each piece right away. Write “top,” “mesh 1,” “middle fabric,” “mesh 2,” and so on. Also, draw an arrow on each piece pointing up towards the waist. This will prevent you from mixing them up and sewing them in the wrong order or upside down.
Finally, you must add a seam allowance to every new edge you just cut. A standard seam allowance is about 3/8 inch or 1 cm. Add this extra space around all the cut edges of your paper pieces. If you forget this step, your leggings will end up too short!
Step 2: Cutting Your Fabric
With your new custom pattern ready, it’s time to cut your fabric.
Lay your main jersey fabric out flat. Place the paper pattern pieces that are supposed to be fabric onto it and pin them down. Carefully cut them out. Remember, you will need to cut two of each piece—one for the left leg and one for the right.
Next, do the same thing with your mesh fabric. Place the pattern pieces you labeled for mesh onto the mesh fabric and cut them out. Again, you’ll need two of each.
Step 3: Your Sewing Tutorial for Leggings
Now we can finally start sewing! The key to sewing stretchy fabric is using the right stitch on your sewing machine. A stretch stitch, a narrow zigzag stitch, or a serger/overlock stitch will work perfectly. These stitches stretch with the fabric so your seams don’t pop when you wear your leggings.
Assemble the Leg Panels
Start with one leg. Take your top fabric piece and your first mesh stripe. Place them right sides together, matching up the edges. Pin them in place.
Sew them together using your stretch stitch. Then, take the next fabric stripe and pin it to the other side of the mesh piece you just attached. Sew that seam.
Continue this process, sewing your fabric and mesh panels together in the correct order. It’s like putting together a puzzle that you designed! Once one leg is fully assembled, repeat the entire process for the other leg.
To make your seams look extra neat and professional, press the seam allowances toward the solid fabric sections. Then, from the right side, sew a straight or zigzag stitch close to the seam line. This is called topstitching. It helps the seams lie flat and adds durability.
Sew the Leg and Crotch Seams
Lay one of your completed leg panels flat, with the right side facing up. Place the other leg panel on top of it, with the right side facing down.
Pin the two legs together along the long, inner leg seam. Sew this entire seam, from the ankle of one leg, up through the crotch, and down to the ankle of the other leg.
Add the Waistband and Cuffs
Your leggings are almost done! For the waistband, take your decorative elastic. Overlap the ends by about half an inch and sew them together to form a circle. Pin the elastic circle to the top waistline of your leggings, slightly stretching the elastic as you pin. Sew it on with your stretch stitch.
For the cuffs, take your cuff fabric rectangles. Fold each one in half to form a loop and sew the short ends together. Then, fold the loop in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together, to create a finished cuff. Slide the cuff over the bottom of the leg opening, matching the raw edges. Pin and sew it in place.
FAQs
Is sewing leggings hard?
No, sewing leggings is not hard. It is a great project for beginners. Leggings have very few pattern pieces. You just need to use the right stretch stitch. This makes them quick and fun to sew.
How to sew in a mesh panel?
Sewing a mesh panel is simple. First, you cut your main pattern into sections. Then, you add a seam allowance to all the new edges. You sew the mesh and fabric pieces together. Always use a stitch that can stretch.
How to put pockets in leggings?
You can add side pockets or a waistband pocket. For side pockets, you change the pattern to include a pocket piece along the side seam. For a waistband pocket, you can add a small, hidden pocket to the inside of the waistband before you attach it.
How to make leggings from tights?
It is not a good idea to make leggings from tights. Tights are very thin and not made for strong seams. The fabric can run or tear easily when you sew it. It is best to use proper knit fabric instead.
What is the best fabric to sew leggings with?
The best fabric is a knit with good 4-way stretch. Look for materials like cotton jersey with spandex. Activewear leggings use fabrics like nylon or polyester blends. Always check that the fabric has at least 5% spandex or Lycra. This helps them keep their shape.
You Did It!
And that’s it! You now have an amazing, custom-made pair of DIY mesh leggings. You took a simple pattern and turned it into something unique and stylish. By learning how to add mesh to leggings, you’ve opened up a whole new world of creative sewing projects.
Remember, the key steps are adjusting the pattern, adding seam allowance, and using a stretch stitch. Now go enjoy your fantastic new leggings!
What Will You Make Next?
Have you ever tried a project like this before? Or do you have an idea for a different kind of custom legging? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below