How to Make Fuzzy Leg Warmers

Image courtesy of Kimberly Jones

Whether you are putting together a homemade outfit for a 1980s-themed costume party or are looking for a unique way to stay cozy in the winter, all you need to make this cute and comfy accessory is minimal sewing skills and maximum creativity. Get out the needle and thread, put some Cindy Lauper in the tape player and follow these easy steps for making your own fun and funky leg warmers.

Things You'll Need

• Fuzzy material, available at sewing and fabric stores
• Basic needle and thread
• 1/3 inch elastic, available at sewing and fabric stores
• Safety pin
• Glue gun and glue stick (optional)
• Colorful buttons, ribbon, fuzzy balls or other embellishment of your choice (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut enough fabric to wrap around the bottom part of each leg, from the bottom of your ankles to the center (or "meaty" part) of your calves. Sew the narrow ends of the fabric together, using a basic stitch, so that the fabric then fits snuggly around your leg but is still loose enough to "scrunch" down.

2. Fold over the top 1 1/2 inches of 1 end of the leg warmer toward the inside of the leg warmer and sew it down with a basic stitch, allowing a 1-inch slot in the fold-over for the elastic to pass through.

3. Pin the elastic at 1 end with a safety pin. This will allow you to push the elastic through the fold-over you just created. Place the safety pin, elastic attached, through the 1-inch slot in the fold-over and keep moving it through with your thumbs until it comes out the other end. When you have completed this task, you should have a piece of elastic sticking out of each end of the slot. Remove the safety pin and sew the 2 ends of the elastic together. Sew the open slot closed. This will be the top of your leg warmers.

4. Fold the bottom of the leg warmers 1/2 inch toward the inside of the leg warmer in the same manner you did the top of the leg warmers. If desired, sew elastic into the bottom as well. Embellish your leg warmers with ribbons, buttons or fuzzy balls. Affix these items using the glue gun.

Tips & Warnings

• Annie Supinger, founder and chief designer for Eclectic Couture clothing line, recommends raiding your father's closet, your grandfather's closet or the local Goodwill store for an old, fuzzy sweater you can use in lieu of purchasing and sewing your own fabric. If you decide to go this route, cut off the sleeves, starting at the armpits and, starting at Step 2, follow the rest of the steps above.

References

• Annie Supinger, Founder and Chief Designer, Eclectic Couture