These are my latest creation, a pair of wacky leggings I made from the leftover fabric on my Heather Dress:
Hi, legs. What a long strange trip it’s been.
This is the Peg Legs FREE (!!!!) leggings pattern from an indie pattern making company called Patterns for Pirates. I love the everliving shiz out of them. They fit me perfectly with absolutely zero alterations –I did grade between sizes for a smaller waist size but that’s standard for me. But I didn’t have to scoop out the curve or lengthen the point or anything and that is miraculous as I have a booty that is two full sizes larger than my waist measurement and pants are usually a journey through the textbooks of crotch curve manipulation.
IN FACT just a few weeks ago I was huddled over tracing paper and analyzing three color-coded crotch curve measurements trying to take an average measurement all beautiful-mind like … you see, it’s science, but for butt size.
Also, is there a weirder word out there than CROTCH?? It’s such a funky word. Hey everyone come to my blog! Where I talk about the calculus of the crotch curve!
These leggings did not need any manipulation of the CROTCH CURVE. They are perfect for my buns just as drafted. This is my second pair, and it’s that cotton interlock fabric from Joann I like so much (the Doodles line, found in the aptly-named “Juvenile” section). This pair of leggings is much thicker and more opaque from my first pair, which were recycled rayon jersey from a failed dress attempt. The pattern works well in both weights of fabric, though this cotton fabric has minimal stretch recovery and by morning I had a little droop in my giddyup. I expected it and I wasn’t upset but if you plan to wear your crazyass leggings out of the house, keep in mind that fabric with lycra or spandex (even just 2-3%) will give you a lot more stretch recovery than this 100% cotton stuff. But whatever, I am a fan of the cotton interlock. It is soft and my life’s plan is to live in soft pajamas.
On both pairs of legging I added a small bit of elastic to the waistband, as I find it emotionally offensive to have to scooch up a pair of leggings. Your mileage may vary.
The best part? It took me ONLY ONE HOUR to sew these hippy dippy leggings up! I cut all the fabric out a few days ago and Sunday night I stitched them together and it only took an hour from beginning to end to do the sewing and friends, I am not a fast sewer. Full disclosure: I do not hem my homemade leggings. So far both pairs I have are meant to be pajamas and I just trim the bottom evenly and call it a day.
So there you have it, happy tie-dyed leggings from a free and super easy pattern.
I’m having such a good time sewing up all kinds of things. Last summer when I dusted off my machine and started sewing again it wouldn’t have occurred to me to make my own leggings. I deeply believed back then that it was dumb to waste my limited sewing time on something as cheap and easy to procure as leggings. But now I get so much pleasure out of it. For one thing, these are made to perfectly fit my body (even if not altered, certainly grading between sizes helps) and sewn with quality fabric I selected. This fabric won’t tear or develop a snag or hole on day one. Funny, I didn’t even know what fast fashion was a year ago and I can see how my zen, happy thing (sewing) has also turned into a subject that is opening my eyes and making me think more about sustainability and choice and quality.
And crotch curves. I think a LOT about crotch curves these days 😉
10 comments
I have that pattern taped together but haven’t sewn it yet, same for the pencil skirt. I belong to the P4P Facebook group, it’s amazing how well those patterns fit everyone! I donated a good portion of my summer wardrobe last year, I need to be sewing to fill the gaps.
Hi Karen!! I was EXTREMELY skeptical about sewing my own leggings, and especially from a free pattern. But it is perfectly drafted, with easy instructions, and I used the (also free) add-on pack to do the curved waistband. I think I may also try the gusset (in the free add-on pack as well) on my next pair. I’m thrilled with these leggings, I pretty much live in PJs when I am not at work and these are like the skinny jeans of PJs 🙂
Laurie have you thought about making skirted leggings from this pattern? I have my eye on a knee length Nike running skirt but for $70 I think I can make something I like by mashing a couple of patterns together.
Isn’t it amazing when you find something that makes you SO HAPPY? I love to quilt, yet I haven’t been in my sewing room in months. Last night I actually scheduled time in my to do list to get in there and wham. An hour flew by and I was so happy. It’s truly the little things in life. Why oh why do we have to schedule them in?!! Darn full time work that pays for things like eating and shelter… 🙂
Sandy!! OMG totally. Work is definitely getting in the way of my sewing!!! 😉 Also how is it that one hour in the sewing room is so much shorter than one hour on a conference call???
So, I have a bit of a phobia about seams on the inner thigh as they can be…irritating…for those of us who do not have a thigh gap, if you know what I mean. WTF with thigh gap anyway??? That is not normal! So, do the inner seams bother you at all with this pattern? Thanks and sorry for the TMI…
Hi Carriellen!!! So, yes, I know this issue well. Ahem. And I have not found the inner thigh seam to be problematic on this pattern. HOWEVER, I think it would be easy enough to change the pattern so you put the seam on the outside of the thigh. In fact, you could probably cut the pattern in half right where the outer thigh seam would occur, and move the pieces so you have no seam on the inside, and then cut your fabric that way. I may have to try it and let you know!
You are clearly an engineering genius.
LOL, got my PhD in sewing-ology 😉 If you try this out before I do let me know how it goes!
I will!