Stepping into the world of DIY fashion is always an exciting adventure, and this weekend was no exception! After the success of my galaxy sweatshirt and black travel skirt, I felt inspired to tackle another sewing project: perfecting my go-to leggings pattern. My mission? To create a pair of Cheetah Print Leggings that not only look fantastic but also perform flawlessly during my runs. Using a trusty Kwik Sew one-piece leggings pattern as my base and some eye-catching cheetah print nylon lycra fabric, I set out to tailor the ultimate workout leggings.
Close-up of cheetah print leggings fabric texture and sewing machine.
Having sewn this pattern multiple times before, both for myself and in sewing classes, I’d noticed a slight fit issue with my more recent creations. My fitness regime had clearly been paying off, as my usual leggings were now a little loose around the hips, upper thighs, and ankles. However, they remained perfectly snug around my calves and quads – a testament to runner’s legs! To address this, I decided to make some strategic adjustments to the pattern, ensuring a truly custom fit.
The alterations were focused on achieving a more streamlined silhouette. I carefully shaved off a centimeter from both the front and back crotch curves, effectively removing 4cm in total. Next, I tapered the inner thigh seam by removing a 1.5cm wedge from both sides. Finally, to tackle the excess fabric around my ankles, I took in a substantial 3cm wedge from both sides at the ankle. The result? A pattern that’s essentially a hybrid: Size Small/XS in the waist and hips & upper thigh, transitioning to Medium in the lower thigh/knee/calf, and finally XS-ish around the ankles. This personalized approach is the beauty of DIY – creating a fit that’s uniquely yours!
Side view of cheetah print leggings showing adjusted fit around hips and thighs.
The actual sewing process was incredibly quick. From cutting the fabric to finishing the seams, these leggings came together in just about 20 minutes. Eager to put them to the test, I wore them for my Sunday run through Greenwich Park and along the river. And the difference those fit adjustments made was remarkable! My previous cat leggings, while fun, would start to slip down and bunch around my quads after a few kilometers, a clear indication of looseness. But these cheetah print leggings stayed perfectly in place for the entire 20km run. No slipping, no bunching, just pure comfort and support.
My friend snapped these photos after the first 5km loop in the park. In hindsight, I probably should have engaged my core a bit more for the photos! But I decided to keep it real, hoping to show that even a dedicated athlete enjoys their off-season (and needs a secure waist pack to prevent bouncing!). It’s all about balance and enjoying the journey, right?
Beyond the fit, I was also thoroughly impressed with the quality of the nylon lycra from UK Fabrics. The cheetah print fabric has a substantial weight, excellent recovery, and a luxurious feel. While it’s not specifically marketed as wicking fabric, for most runners and workouts, breathability is more than adequate. Unless you’re tackling a marathon in extreme heat, it performs beautifully. I experienced zero discomfort or overheating during my run and wouldn’t hesitate to wear these again for any workout.
This project has solidified my confidence in this basic leggings pattern as the perfect starting point for creating running leggings with bold, uninterrupted prints. And of course, for those times when I do want to play with print blocking and design, I already have another fantastic leggings pattern ready to go! But for classic, stylish, and high-performance cheetah print leggings, this adjusted pattern and fabric combination is a definite winner.
