Friday, 4 July 2025

Free Pattern Friday: Lightning Leggings for Kids


Welcome to my monthly 'Free Pattern Friday' feature, where I road test a free sewing pattern or tutorial: sometimes a children's one, sometimes an adult's one. I try to publish these posts every first Friday of the month, timed to provide inspiration for those who plan to get their sew on over the weekend. I firmly believe that, if you pick your projects carefully, sewing doesn't have to be a crazy-expensive way to clothe yourself and your family. Thanks to all the amazing pattern designers who have offered up their hard work for us to enjoy for free.

Oh my goodness! I posted about this free pattern five years ago, and seeing the pictures of my kids so much smaller has slightly broken my heart! But the fact that I'm still banging on about this pattern should give you some clue as to how great it is. Back then, the designer was calling their brand Made By Jack's Mum. These days it goes by Waves & Wild. They have a number of free sewing patterns, but the Lightning Leggings pattern is particularly useful I feel. Thanks so much to them for sharing this excellent resource with the sewing community for free. To access it, you add it to your cart and go through their check out process, without having to pay, of course. 


(Image source: Waves & Wild)


Pattern type:

The Lightning Leggings pattern may appear, on the surface, like a basic leggings pattern. But the sheer amount of options makes this kind of the last word on kids' leggings patterns. There are three lengths (long, capri and knee length), two waist finishes (elasticated and cuffed), two hem finishes (hemmed and cuffed), two fits (relaxed fit which can work really well as PJ bottoms and traditional, slim fit) AND there is a separate version for nappy wearers. See what I mean? What else could you need?!

Sizing info:

The pattern is graded from prem baby right up to approx. 12 years (152cm height). My big kid, pictured here, is actually *just* off the size chart, so I basically graded up one size to make an age 13 (even though they're 11!). But when both my kids were smaller and in the 'proper' sizing, I found the fit to be accurate compared to their size chart



Fabric info:

It is advised to use knit fabric with 'good stretch and return (AKA recovery), including cotton/Lycra jersey'. The part about good recovery is key for leggings, ask me how I know.... The fabric I used here is some cotton/Lycra jersey as suggested and it works perfectly. Remember that different amounts of stretch and recovery might effect the fit and size of the finished garment. 

Findings:

It will not surprise you to hear that this pattern is a joy to use. The multiple options are great for kids who have strong opinions on how their clothes should look and feel, and for using up different quantities of fabric. 



If your child is smaller than the largest size, I would recommend getting a printout of this pattern, turning the layers off for all sizes smaller than your child's current size. Then you can trace off the pieces for the size and style options you need as they grow, without using up loads of printer ink each time. 

Would I make this again?

Probably not for my big kid, I'll find an adults pattern for them next so I don't have to keep grading out this one. But I'd definitely use the relaxed fit for my son of the right fabric crossed my path...



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