DIY PVC Leggings

If you're like me, you've long since hopped on the bandwagon of wanting a pair of PVC leggings. Or maybe more recently, Karlie Kloss' wardrobe in the Neiman Marcus x Target collaboration has you lusting after a pair. Well today's your lucky day! Instead of dropping a pretty penny make them yourself using my free legging pattern in conjunction with my DIY Legging tutorial and the instructions below!




Supplies & Instructions

• 4-way stretch PVC - I purchased mine from MJ Trends and I was very happy with it. It comes in a variety of colours. 
• Follow the instructions in the DIY Legging tutorial however:
• Do NOT pin PVC fabric as it will not heal. Simply use some tape to tape pieces together!
• Use a seam allowance of 10mm for the leg seams and if not using a serger, finish raw edge with a small zigzag stitch. 
• When sewing with the PVC side of the fabric coming in contact with the presser foot, you may experience issues with the foot sticking. Place a piece of paper/tissue paper between the foot and fabric. You may also try corn starch.
• Use the photos below for further clarity of the legging tutorial.

1 • Cut pattern out of fabric without pinning. You can use chalk to mark the non-PVC side of the fabric. 

2 • Tape do not pin fabric.

3 • Cut the waistband making sure to mark the overlapping sections.

4 • Elastic at waistband is folded under and top stitched with a twin needle.

5 • PVC can stick to the presser foot. I used paper between the two. Other options: tissue paper, corn starch, lubricant, walking foot, PVC foot.

The first image is of the actual leggings I made, but below find the Karlie Kloss ad for some further inspiration. You can even try making a hybrid of liquid PVC and wet look like sold at Black Milk.

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DIY Leggings

Leggings have become a serious staple item in my wardrobe over the past five years. I think I own about three pairs of high-shine or leather leggings alone. Digitally printed and leather leggings have become hugely popular as of late but can unfortunately prices can run into the four digit numbers. The solution? A legging DIY!

Leggings are stupidly easy to make and are the perfect project for a beginner seamstress or really anyone that is feeling a little creative and wouldn't mind using a sewing machine. I've gone and drafted a free legging pattern in size small (EU 36) that you can download and print. I admit it was slave labour, but totally out of love. Below are simple instructions but I have written up beginner detailed instructions.

*New!* Photos for instructions and PVC legging tutorial found here.


Supplies:

• sewing machine or overlock machine
• 1 1/2 yards of spandex, stretch jersey, or any 4-way stretch fabric
• 2 spools of matching thread
• 5/8" wide elastic
• stretch fabric needle
• twin needle (or use small zig zag stitch)
• scissors, pins, pens, and any other notions you'd usually use

Assemble the pattern:

• Download, print and assemble the pattern by cutting to the bounding box and matching the number/letter notches. 1A should match with 1A, etc. Tape the sheets together. Make sure that the test square measures 4" x 4" when printed out. If it doesn't, you may have to adjust your printer settings so that it is not set on 'scale to fit'.

Directions:

• Cut pattern out of fabric. The pattern has 5/8" seam allowance and 1 1/4" hem allowance.
• Zig zag stitch or overlock the leg seams with the right sides of the fabric together. Do the same to the center seam while matching the front and back of each leg.
• Hem the leggings and stitch with twin needle or use a zig zag stitch.
• Cut elastic to length of where the waistband will sit + overlap allowance. I used 26" + allowance. Make a circle and zig zag stitch overlap.
• Place elastic into waist on the wrong side of the fabric. Pin in place. Stitch top edge or elastic with zig zag or overlock being sure to stretch elastic if needed. Turn elastic under and stitch lower edge of elastic with twin needle or zig zag stitch. Detailed tutorial.

Notes: You can find some really cool stretch fabric at Spandex House or your local garment district but stretch fabric is also available in stores like JoAnn's in the dance and swimwear fabric aisle.
Search the web and use high fashion retail sites such as Net-A-Porter to find images like the ones I've posted above. Happy DIY-ing!

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henry holland + pretty polly

i need/want/lust these tights. my only issue is what colour to get them in. they're only 14 bucks at mytights.com which is an issue because i really do want to buy them in every colour.

black just seems so boring (except i'd definitely get the alphabet ones in black). naturally i'd get them in purple, but the problem is i just have too many purple tights already. blue seems cool, but so does pink and green!!! i don't own blue or green tights, but i lost me pink ones... hmm.

any suggestions? you can view the available colours by clicking on the mytights.com link above.

your mom shouldn't wear these unless she's in the biz

I'm coveting these leggings.. Now only if I had model thin legs... Oh and an extra $112.

Low-rise liquid nylon leggings with zippers that go down the back of the leg from ankle to thigh. Designed by NYLON’s Style Director, Dani Stahl. Get 'em om Rare Chic.

Be sure to check out my DIY Leggings post and free pattern and learn how to make these on the cheap.  Get the PVC Legging tutorial!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to see what projects I'm up to!

Love Tights?

Then you'll love the blog Too Many Tights.

You can even purchase these tights for $50.

Sick.

In a Tight Spot

I've been craving some floral tights for the past few months, and now they're finally becoming more and more accessible! Yay!

There are some awesome designs at lovecolour-lovetights and River Island.

You can also find some better photos of the lovecolour-lovetights here.

tight tights!

Heart stockings, $30 at Betsey Johnson
Bow tights, $14 at topshop.com

More to check out:
Medallion stockings, $90 at Wolford
Parisienne stay-up stockings, $70 at Agent Provocateur
Lace and Lycra tights, $405 at Chanel
DKNY Deco Lace tights, $19 at Bloomingdale’s

NYTimes