Leg warmers are not just accessories for ballerinas. Leg warmers add style to winter wear and also serve as a boot cover. Instead of buying leg warmers, you can make leg warmers from shopping at thrift stores or from faux fur.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Seamless Leg Warmers
Step 1. Find an old sweater
If you don't have a sweater that you want to remodel, you can buy one for IDR 10,000, - up to IDR 100,000, - at a secondhand clothing store.
- Choose a wool sweater, if you want it to last. You have to wash it by hand first to prevent the texture from changing.
- Choose acrylic if you don't want to wash your sweaters regularly. Many acrylic mixtures tend to form small clumps over time.
- Choose a cotton blend for the easiest and most durable care.
Step 2. Cut the sleeves of the sweater with fabric scissors
Choose a part that fits outside the shoulder hem. You can reuse leftover sweaters for other projects.
Step 3. Place the sweater sleeves on a craft table or flat surface
Smooth it so there are no wrinkles.
Step 4. Use the straight edge to cut a straight line along the top of the sweater sleeve
Step 5. Try on
You can wear it by pulling directly or clumping. If you want shorter leg warmers, you can cut the top of the sweater sleeves shorter.
Step 6. Use safety pins to keep the leg warmer on top, if you want to wear it knee-high or calf-high
Method 2 of 3: Making Leg Warmers by Sewing
Step 1. Look for a long-sleeved sweater made of wool, cotton or acrylic
Choose a sweater with cuffs at the bottom of the arms and torso. Buy it from a thrift store or use an old sweater.
Step 2. Cut the sleeves at the shoulder seam
Use fabric scissors to limit loose threads.
Step 3. Cut the bottom hem of the sweater body
You can throw away the leftover sweater or use it for another project.
Step 4. Smooth the sleeves of the sweater on a flat surface
Cut straight from the upper arm. Start at the armpit and continue horizontally along the arm.
Step 5. Use a cloth tape measure to measure the circumference of the leg just below the knee, or the highest point on the leg where you want to apply the leg warmer
Subtract 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) from the resulting measurement to keep it tight.
The sweater fabric stretches when pulled
Step 6. Cut the bottom hem into 2 pieces along the circumference of the leg
You will make a tire fold for the top of your leg warmer.
Step 7. Thread the same color as the sweater on the sewing machine
Step 8. Pin the small section of the bottom hem in a circle
1 side should have been hem and the other side should be trimmed. Repeat with the second piece.
Step 9. Sew vertically along where the fabric meets
Step 10. Glue the outside of the tire hem to the inside of the sleeve
You have to pin it carefully, making sure not to get the loop hole stuck.
Step 11. Carefully sew around the circle
Use tight stitches and back stitches to prevent fraying later.
Step 12. Fold the tire cord
Glue buttons, ribbons or other embellishments on the outside of the fold. Wear directly on the feet, or over leggings or boots.
Instead of making tire folds on the leg warmers, you can fold the sweater over an elastic band that is measured to the size of your calf. Flip the leg warmer from the inside out, stretch a rubber band around it and pin it to the sweater. Sew around, leaving the rubber band seam-free
Method 3 of 3: Making Faux-Fur Leg Warmers (Fake Fur)
Step 1. Look for soft, plush fabrics at your local fabric store
It can be any synthetic faux fur.
Step 2. Buy 1 meter of fabric
You can use less than that if you want to make short boot covers instead of leg warmers that extend all the way to the knees.
Step 3. Measure with a cloth tape measure
- Measure the circumference at the top of your shin. It's just below the knee. Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the resulting measurement to make sure the elastic isn't too tight.
- Measure the circumference at the widest part of your calf.
- Measure the very bottom. If you want to use it to cover different sizes of boots as well as feet, try 22 inches (56 cm).
- Measure the length of your foot from just the bottom of your ankle to the top of your shin.
Step 4. Cut two pieces of plush faux fur
Cut the width along your foot and the length according to the widest circumference of your calf. Add 1/2 inch in length for the seam.
Step 5. Lay the ingredients on a flat table upside down
Measure 3 horizontal lines at about the ankle, the middle of the calf, and an inch below the top of the shin.
Step 6. Pin 3 elastic bands along this line
Pin it as close to the ankle as possible and the top of the shin, if your sizes are very different. This will ensure proper tightness.
Step 7. Sew all three, pulling on the rubber as you do so
Step 8. Fold the leg warmers in half
Pin the two sides together as close to the edges as possible. Sew the leg warmers vertically.
- The faux fur will cover the seams.
- You can also finish the leg warmers in circles and sew as long as you can with a sewing machine. You may need to sew by hand in the center, if you can't sew straight down without sewing through the leg holes.
- You don't need to sew the top or bottom edges if you're using acrylic fabric.
Step 9. Repeat on the second leg warmer
Wear it over tights or boots.
