Don't Ya Wish Yer Leggings Were....

...hot like these? Don't ya BABY don't ya?! 

All terrible attempts at pop culture reference aside, I'm smitten with my new hand-made printed leggings. It's taken a world of self control not to just go and buy a pair since I've wanted in on this trend for a while. Or more accurately, since I grew out of a great psychedelic pair I rocked as a seven year old. I've been searching for some suitable legging fabric, tribal, preferably and with a four-way stretch. I did have this swimsuit lycra (from here) set aside for the day when the stars would align, the sewing gods would smile down and I would transform it into a magnifient boned bustier, high waisted bikini. With my magic sewing wand. That I don't have. So no hard feelings it didn't happen this summer and is probably a few more summers and a tad more garment experience off. Leggings on the other hand, for an hour and a half and no perspiration later, they're slinking out the door in all their tribal glory.

Do you like my llama?

 I'm holding Pinterest responsible for my slightly less hazy idea of what's going on out in the fashion world these days. And I can't get enough of what seems to be a perfect balance of fun / feminine: Peplums, geometric prints, tribal, leggings, high waists, blazers, peterpan collars, neon, maxi skirts. I'll be miffed when any of these leave the scene again. And if'you're dabbling in DIY fashion, it's a pretty exciting time. Thanks to an ever-growing choice in sewing patterns, making stuff that is ás good as the shops' is at our fingertips. Coveting some printed leggings of your own? Here's a start.... 

Burdastyle Lace leggings

Burdastyle 'Carol' leggings

Burdastyle 7343

McCalls 6173

Butterick 5788

Kwik Sew 3807

Leggings by 'The Fashion Hackers' (etsy) 

Legging fabric? I feel kind of bad flaunting this one from a store with no online shopping on the other side of the world to a good chunk of you. So I'm going to share my current hotspot for some seriously random and wonderful printed stretch fabrics. This shop, happened upon by accident on Etsy, will probably be fished out now. But it's okay because I stocked up a few days ago...mwhahahaha! When selecting fabric for leggings you want something super elastic, which is why 4-way stretch is good. Baggy knees are no-ones friend. If you don't mind lycra next to your skin, swimsuit fabric makes for a great batch but of course there are others that will do the job.

I chose McCalls 6173 and whilst I love the final result I won't be recommending it for the sizing alone. I cut out what I though was my size according to the measurements and before I'd taken the scissors to the fabric, looked down at the pattern pieces and realized they were gargantuan. So, I thought, I'll just sew the next size down and hope for the best since I am fundamentally opposed to muslins. Only, after trying them on, I proceeded to take, no kidding, a further 2" off each leg seam from crotch to ankle. It became a fun game. Try them on, take them in, try them on, take them in until eventually they clung like a legging damn well should! Too harsh perhaps? Okay, I did like that the pattern has side seams only on the insides of the leg, good news if you're trying to match up a print. A bonus point for you 6173.

Nope, nothing else to add...just making sure we've covered every angle.