inside: learn how to add a gusset to learn how to add a gusset to a legging pattern. Turn any legging pattern into athletic leggings by adding a gusset. Easy pattern hack and sewing tutorial.
Last year I sewed my daughter a gymnastics leotard from my shortie legging pattern and swimsuit pattern mashed up. It worked great, but I noticed it was tighter in the crotch area that the girls wearing store bought leotards. I realized that what I was missing was the gusset, the piece that athletic leggings have.
Add a gusset to any legging pattern
With the added gusset in the legging portion of this leotard, it’s not a perfect fit. I’ve had this cactus athletic fabric for several years now and it’s perfect for leggings, swim and now this leotard. Lucky for you, it’s STILL IN STOCK… check it out!
My daughter loves her new leotard and athletic shorts for gymnastics. It’s hand stand central around here these days! We just leave this mat out in our living room because she’s always on it.
If you don’t want a leotard with the shorts, you can always just sew up the swim suit pattern as a leotard.
How to create athletic leggings
You can create athletic leggings with virtually any legging pattern with just a few pattern hacks. This tutorial to add a gusset paired with the add a pocket tutorial is the perfect combo to create amazing athletic leggings from regular leggings. All the leggings seen on my site and my daughter here are the free legging pattern. You can also add a contoured waistband for added athletic feel.
Create a gusset for leggings
Alright! let’s draft a gusset! You can use this in any legging pattern, but today I’m using it with my summer shorties pattern, which is a short version of the original legging pattern. Cut out the leggings as directed and then we will add the gusset piece.
Begin by sewing the two legging pieces together at the inseam leg as shown. Now it’s time to cut the gusset piece. Start with a 3 x 6″ rectangle. You can adjust from this size as needed. I’m making my gusset from to back, but you could also add one side to side. If you want to sew the gusset side to side you would sew the front and back curved crotch seam first, not the legs.
Fold the rectangle in half and angle from the center to the short ends on both sides to create a diamond.
Now we are ready to sew this in the leggings.
How to sew a gusset
Place the widest part of the diamond on the leg seam. Pin or clip from that center point out along the legs. Do not stretch either layer of fabric. Sew along this edge to secure one side of the gusset.
Take the other leg and match the leg seam with the wide part of the diamond as well. Pin out the sides of the gusset and up the rest of the crotch seam to completely sew the two pieces together. You may have small bits of extra fabric on eithe rend of the gusset where you ease the three layers together.
Sew along this whole seam and then finish your leggings/shorts as directed.
This is a simple way to give just a bit more room for being active in your leggings.
Leave a Reply