Legwarmers aren't just accessories for dancers. They add style to winter outfits and cover boots. Instead of buying them, you can make them from finds in thrift stores or faux fur fabric.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Method One: Making No-Sew Leg Warmers
Step 1. Find an old sweater
If you don't have a sweater that you can destroy, you can find it cheaply at a second-hand clothing store.
- Choose a wool sweater if you want them very durable. You will need to wash them by hand to avoid changing the texture.
- Choose acrylic if you don't need to wash sweaters regularly. Many acrylic mixtures tend to peel over time.
- Choose cotton for the easiest care and durability to keep.
Step 2. Cut the sleeves of the sweater with a pair of fabric scissors
Choose a portion just beyond the shoulder edge. You can use the rest of the sweater for other projects.
Step 3. Place the sleeves on a work table or other flat surface
Lay them out so they don't crease.
Step 4. Use a ruler to cut a straight line along the top of the sleeve
Step 5. Try them out
You can wear them flat or curled. If you want a shorter leg warmer, just cut off the top of the sleeve more.
Step 6. Use safety pins to hold them up if you want to wear them at the knee or thigh
Method 2 of 3: Method Two: Making Leg Warmers by Sewing
Step 1. Find a long-sleeved sweater made of wool, cotton, or acrylic
Choose a sweater with an elastic edge at the end of the sleeves and body. Buy it at a thrift store or use an old leg warmer.
Step 2. Cut the sleeves to the shoulder hem
Use fabric scissors to limit fraying of the fabric.
Step 3. Cut the bottom hem of the sweater
You can throw away the rest or keep it for other projects.
Step 4. Lay out the sleeves of the sweater on a flat surface
Cut a straight line across the upper arm. It should begin at the attack of the armpit and extend horizontally along the sleeve.
Step 5. Use a measuring tape to measure the circumference just below your knee, or the highest point where you want the leg warmers to go
Remove 1 to 2 inches (2.4 - 5 cm) from the total to make sure it stands up.
The fabric of the sweaters stretches when pulled
Step 6. Cut the hem of the sweater into two pieces of the desired length
You will make foldable hems for your leg warmers.
Step 7. Load your sewing machine with thread to match the material
Step 8. Pin the small piece of hem to make a loop
One side should already be hemmed while the other should be cut. Repeat with the second piece.
Step 9. sew the two bands vertically where they join
Step 10. Attach the outside of the hem to the inside of the sleeve
You will need to pin it carefully, making sure you don't snap pieces of the ring together at any point.
Step 11. Sew around the hem carefully
Use a tight stitch and a back stitch to avoid unstitching in the future.
Step 12. Fold the band back
Attach buttons, ribbons, or other embellishments to the outside of the fold. Wear over knee socks, leggings, or boots.
Instead of creating a folded hem for your leg warmers, you can also fold the hem of the sleeve over an elastic the size of your calf. Turn the sleeve over, spread the elastic around it and pin the sweater. Sew the fold, leaving the elastic free from stitches
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Making Faux Fur Legwarmers
Step 1. Find some soft, fluffy material at a fabric store in your area
Any type of synthetic hair will do.
Step 2. Buy 1m of fabric
You can use less if you want to coat short boots instead of making leg warmers that reach the knee.
Step 3. Measure with a measuring tape
- Measure the circumference at the top of your shin. The area you want is just below the knee. Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the total to make sure the elastic isn't too tight.
- Measure around the fullest part of your calf.
- Measure the area at the bottom. If you want to be able to cover different sizes of boots as well as legs, try a 22 inch (56cm) size.
- Measure the length of your leg from the malleolus to the top of the shin.
Step 4. Cut two pieces of synthetic pile fabric
They should be as wide as your leg length and as high as the circumference of the widest point of your calf. Count an extra inch to take into account the seams.
Step 5. Spread the material on a flat surface, in reverse
Measure three horizontal lines approximately at the ankle, calf and below the top of the shin.
Step 6. Pin three lengths of elastic on these lines
Pin it tighter on the ankle and shin if your measurements differ a lot from each other. You'll make sure it fits.
Step 7. Sew the three lengths, stretching out the elastic to do so
Step 8. Fold the leg warmers in half
Pin the two sides together as close to the edge as possible. Sew the vertical length of the leg warmers together.
- The faux fur should hide the seam.
- You can also wrap around the leg warmer and machine sew as far as you can, but you may have to hand sew the center part, as you can't sew the bottom of the leg warmer without going through an opening.
- You will not need to hem the edges using this type of synthetic fabric.
Step 9. Repeat with the second leg warmer
Wear over socks or boots.
