1.17.2012

Lets Get Physical! A Legwarmer DIY

I've shown you how to re-fashion mittens and an iPad sleeve out of sweaters but what to do with those leftover sleeves?  After some thought and a couple days of cold feet, I came up with these legwarmers.  I really loved the cozy pattern of the sweater I used to make the mittens, so cutting up the matching sleeves seemed like the right thing to do.


For this project you will need:
- A wool sweater to cut up
- Ruler
- Fabric scissors
- Pins
- Sewing Machine

1) If you are using a previously felted sweater, skip this step and proceed to Step 2.  If not, wash your wool sweater in hot water and then dry it on hot.  This will "felt" your wool, i.e. set the stitches.  Your sweater will shrink some so make sure you buy a big enough sweater to allow potential shrinking.

2) Turn your sweater inside out and lay it on a flat surface.


3) Starting at the cuff, use the inside seam (right seam in the picture above) as a guide to determine the length of your leg warmer. It's your preference but I went all the way up to where the inside seam begins to bend towards the armpit (see where the ruler's third block is in the photo.)  Once you have determined your length, lay your ruler across the sleeve and pin your line so you know where to cut.


4) Cut across the sleeve.  This will be the bottom of your legwarmer.  You can hem the bottom of the legwarmer if you want a finished seam but I was lazy for my own pair and just folded them over.


5) Place the ruler between the cuff and bottom seam and pin along the ruler to make your legwarmer's vertical seam.

6) Cut along the pinned line and then sew along the line. You may need to go over the seam several times or use the zig-zag setting on your sewing machine if your sweater is especially thick.

7) Turn inside out, and you're done with one legwarmer.

8) Repeat steps 2-7 for the second sleeve, then rock out to some Olivia Newton John or whatever 80's song suits your fancy!



These legwarmers are so cozy and warm (duh) and are fun to wear with jeans and boots.  I am planning to make a pair with another patterned sweater I have and put them in my Etsy shop later this week.  Have you done any crafting this week? 

21 comments:

Court said...

Cute idea!

Rach said...

This is so cute!

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Cara, you need your own DIY show girly girl! Those are just too darn CUTE! LOVE the pattern. You kill me with your creativity. I think it's fabulous.

http://averysweetblog.com/

Bravoe Runway said...

This is awesome! I was wondering what you were going to do w/that h-sweater hehe :)

Lauren said...

That's it...I *will* get a sewing machine! I am in love.

The Everything List said...

is it weird that i thought about doing this last weekend but i didn't have any sweaters i wanted to cut up? i am going to see and 80s cover band this weekend and needed legwarmers but i found a pair at target. i may need help styling them though for everyday.

http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings said...

Oh wow...what an awesome DIY!!! Love these legwarmers!!

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

Samantha said...

Cara!! LOVE this!! What a fun DIY! Thank you! :)

xo, sam

*Style of Sam*

Sage said...

Very cute! I like them with heels. That's pretty creative to think of ways to use every part of an old sweater. You make me want to learn how to sew.

Christine said...

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
http://work-it-blog.blogspot.com/

jas said...

cute idea!

http://forallthatjas.blogspot.com/

welldressedmaker said...

RAD legwarmers! I have a black pair waiting to be worn. Must dig them out...

♥ laura
the blog of worldly delights

Viktoria said...

Great idea!! Not sure I'd wear them out of the house, but they would be great to wear around the house!

silvergirl said...

Cute idea
Would totally wear these with my sweats.tucked.in to hang.out and watch Tv in the cold of winter
brett

Kassi said...

Love this idea and it makes a totally unique pair. I love yours! Thank you for sharing!

http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com/

two birds said...

so crafty and green, too! these are so cute...i would probably wear them almost every day! thanks for the lesson...maybe someday i'll learn how to thread my sewing machine so i can try myself!

Megan said...

Love this! I love the sweater you chose, the print looks so cute for legwarmers. Very creative :)

Madeline Quaint said...

Love the pattern of the sweater (and the legwarmer of course!). Such a cute idea!

Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog! :)

Vanessa said...

Love the sweater you chose! It's very ski-tastical/wintery.

Unknown said...

Cara you're so creative- these legwarmers are just adorable! I love how you pulled the colours from the legwarmers for your outfit-green is a great colour on you.

Kara Endres said...

What a cute idea! I don't have any sweaters to do that with (not that I'd need legwarmers in FL) but that could be a possible thrift find..
xx Kara
Sprinkles in Springs

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