Alright, so today I’m spillin’ the beans on my latest DIY project: flare leggings! I’ve been seein’ them everywhere, and honestly, ain’t no way I’m payin’ retail for somethin’ I can probably whip up myself.
The Idea: Basically, I wanted somethin’ comfy but still kinda stylish. You know, good for loungin’ around the house, but also decent enough to wear to grab coffee without lookin’ like a total slob.
The Materials: First things first, gotta get the goods. I hit up my local fabric store and snagged some stretchy knit fabric. It was on sale, score! I grabbed about 2 yards – always better to have extra than not enough, am I right? Also, you’ll need some elastic for the waistband, thread that matches your fabric (or close enough), scissors, pins, a sewing machine (obviously), and somethin’ to measure with.
The Process:
- Step 1: Trace existing leggings. I had a pair of leggings that fit me perfectly, so I used them as a template. I laid them flat on top of my fabric (folded in half, right sides together) and traced around them, adding about an inch for seam allowance. Don’t forget to add extra fabric at the bottom for the flare!
- Step 2: Flare it up. This is where the magic happens. Starting from the knee down, I gradually widened the leg opening to create the flare. I just eyeballed it, honestly. If you want somethin’ more precise, you could use a ruler or a french curve.
- Step 3: Cut it out. Carefully cut out your fabric along the lines you traced. Since you’re cutting through two layers of fabric, you’ll end up with two identical leg pieces.
- Step 4: Sew the legs. Pin the two leg pieces together, right sides facing. Then, sew along the inseam and the outer seam of each leg, from the crotch to the bottom of the flare. Make sure to use a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch so the seams don’t pop when you move.
- Step 5: Join the legs. Turn one leg right side out and slip it inside the other leg (which is still wrong side out). Line up the crotch seam and pin around the curve. Sew the crotch seam together, again using a stretch stitch.
- Step 6: Waistband time. Measure your waist and cut a piece of elastic that’s slightly smaller than that measurement (you want it to be snug). Sew the ends of the elastic together to form a loop. Then, fold over the top edge of the leggings to create a casing for the elastic. Pin the elastic inside the casing, stretching it as you go, and sew around the top edge of the leggings to secure the elastic.
- Step 7: Hem the flare. Fold up the bottom edge of the flare and hem it, using a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch.
The Result: And there you have it – flare leggings! Mine turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. They’re super comfy and surprisingly flattering. The seams are a little wonky in places, but hey, that’s what makes ’em unique, right?
Lessons Learned:
- Next time, I’m gonna use a rotary cutter instead of scissors. My lines would be a lot cleaner.
- Also, I need to invest in a walking foot for my sewing machine. That stretchy fabric was a pain to work with.
- And maybe I’ll try a different fabric. This knit is a little thin, so they’re kinda see-through.
Overall, I’m happy with how they turned out. Plus, I saved a bunch of money. Now I’m thinkin’ about makin’ a whole bunch more in different colors and patterns!
