The first time I upcycled a pair of tights, I literally chopped the feet off and they became legging.
Then I learned how to make leg warmers out of knee socks. This time around, Ginger had a pair of tights that were getting too small in the foot so I wanted to make another pair of leg warmers. In theory, you simply cut off the feet and cut off the seat part. But I wanted the top cuff to look more professional. With some practice, I figured out how to reuse the waistband and convert it into the top cuff.
I have never created a sewing tutorial before, so I hope this all makes sense.
1. Cut the feet and seat part off.
2. Cut the waistband off, leaving about a 5/8" piece attached to it. This set of tights had an extra piece of elastic in the waistband so I removed it.
3. Following the seam, cut about 3" up and cut all the way around.
Do this to both sides and you will have 2 pieces of fabric that are approximately 5" x 3".
4. Now you have all the pieces for the leg warmer, top cuff and bottom cuff.
5. Starting with the bottom cuff, fold one piece in half (right sides together) so you have a piece that is 2.5" x 3". Sew along the one side to create a loop.
6. Now do the same to the top cuff.
7. Moving back to the bottom cuff, fold the loop with wrong sides together.
8. Put the folded loop, over top of the bottom of the leg portion.
9. Sew all the way around. Turn the new cuff down.
10. For the top cuff: turn leg warmer inside out. Turn top cuff "loop" right side out. Put the top cuff inside of the leg warmer. Sew along the original seam (of the waistband/top cuff).
11. Turn top cuff out.
If you aren't interested in sewing your own, I sell them at Little Bird, here in Hamilton. If you are interested, check out my Facebook page.
P.S. I'm sorry that a couple photos are upside down. They show the right way on my computer!
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