Ramblings of SS: Ruffle Bottom Legging Tutorial

So a friend of mine showed me a picture of some leggings, they were adorable, however they were $44.99!! Way too much in my book. I thought about it and decided I could make some WAY cheaper. I had seen several that were done like this...

...with the material just gathered and stitched on top. Although it's still super adorable, it wasn't the look I was going for. I wanted mine to be more flared, than gathered, and I didn't want a seam!! So after a bit more thought, this is what I came up with....

The Ruffle Bottom Legging Tutorial

First I took a pair of Lucy's leggings I had purchased back in Nov. for $3, and 1/2 yd. of scrap fabric.

They had a huge hole in the knee and therefore were in the "do something with them, or throw them away" pile!! (Tell me I'm not the only one with that kind of a pile.)

Since mine had a hole in them, I already knew where to cut them off. Choose how long you want yours and then cut away.

Then measure where you just cut. Mine is 6 1/4" across.

Then comes a bit of math...don't worry though, I'll break it down.... (if you have ever made a circle skirt, it's the same thing, just on a smaller scale.)

Take your measurement (above) and times it by 2, (since it's folded), then divide your answer by 6.28. That equals your radius which is what you need to do the next part.

For example my number was

6.25"X 2 = 12.5/ 6.28= 1.99" (I rounded it to 2")

Then with a scratch paper measure from one corner and go out 2" make a mark, then move up and continue until you reach the other side of the paper. Draw a line connecting the marks making a quarter of a circle. Cut out and set aside. This can also be done with a string like in grade school. :)

Then decide how long you want your ruffle. I did a double layer one 3" and one 4". So using that same technique, do one for how long you want your ruffle + the radius.

For example I did one 5" (3" + the radius 2") and one 6" (4" + the radius 2")

Cut those out as well, and set aside. Make sure you mark what size they are. :)

This is what they should look like. I have a 2", 5" and 6" quarter circle.

Then fold your material over just enough to fit your largest quarter circle on, then fold it again, just enough to fit your largest circle. (By doing it just enough, it saves on material, but you can do it any way you feel most comfortable!)

Place your largest quarter circle on the corner. (There should be no edges on either straight side of the quarter circle, just folds.

Cut the curved edge and then you get this. Which if you have done it right it makes a full circle.

Fold back up and place your radius quarter circle (mine was 2") on the corner of the piece you just cut out.

Cut along the curved edge. Repeat this process for any other ruffle layers you are doing.

You can discard the center circle, or use it to make a matching bow!

So now you have your donut/ ruffle circles.

Make a narrow hem around the outer edge of your donuts/ ruffles. Then fold and pin the inner edges, fold again matching your pins, and mark the other sides. Does that make sense?? You should have 4 pins equal distance apart. (Since I am doing 2 ruffles on each leg, I placed my smaller on on top of the larger one before pinning)

Do the same for each leg of the leggings as well. (Note: the side seams of the leggings aren't always equal front and back, but since there is no seam on the ruffle, just mark equal distances like you did with the ruffle.

Then with right sides together, match pins on leggings and ruffle. Pin together all layers.

Then stitch. I stitched with the inside of the legging up and went around that way.

If you have knit leggings with a knit ruffle I recommend using a double needle which can be purchased at most fabric stores. You just choose the distance apart you want the needles. This will help the seam stretch a bit. I did not use a knit material for the ruffle so I didn't feel I needed it.

I really like that finished look, so to finish it off, I folded the seam up and top stitched around one last time. Repeat steps for other leg and you are done!!