That’s right.. 5 minute toddler leggings, ladies! This is such a simple way to add a little something to your toddlers wardrobe. You will love this inexpensive super easy project!
The supplies you will need:
A pair of knee-high socks (these are from target)
1 inch knit elastic
Sewing supplies
Starting at the curve in the heel of the sock, measure 6 inches and cut the toe off each sock.
cut from the toe to the heel of the sock, ending at the curve.
They will look something like this!
Turn one sock inside out, and leave the other the right way.
Insert the sock facing the right way, into the sock facing the wrong way. This will make the right sides of the socks face each other.
Match up the edges and the heel of the sock. You can use a few pins to keep things in place, or just be careful as you sew.
You can use a serger if you you are lucky enough to have one! Or you can use a zig zag stitch on a regular sewing machine.
If you are doing the zig zag stitch, sew right along the edge, make sure you are catching the edge. I like to sew this seam 3-4 times to make sure all the threads are caught and stabilized. Try not to stretch the socks as you sew them, let the sewing machine feed them in.
Pull one sock from inside the other and you have the legs!
Next we need to add the waist band.
Measure the elastic around your toddlers waist and make it snug, but not too tight.
Sew the elastic together with a zig zag stitch (or serge) right along the edge.
You have your waist band!
Place the elastic inside the pants, making sure the seam on the elastic is going to match up with the seam of the leggings. The waist band is going to be slightly bigger than the leggings. Pin the elastic in quarters to make sure it is evenly distributed around the leggings.
Sew using a surger or zig zag stitch right along the edge of the elastic and leggings. I sew around them twice to make sure they are extra secure. You may need to slightly stretch the leggings to match up with the slightly wider elastic waist while you sew.
It should look something like this!
Now I know this looks sort of funky… and how in the world will that fit around my toddlers bum! But trust me.. they work 😉
They should look like this all finished!
Slip them on your babe and you have a pair of cozy sweater type leggings!
Quick, cheap, easy…. and Adorable. We can’t get enough of these at our house!
Enjoy ladies!!
Sheri says
Hi. These are very cute. What size range would you guess them to be?
Lara says
I would guess they should start fitting between 12 and 18 months and could fit up to some 3 1/2 or a small 4 year old.
Sheri says
thanks! These are so cute. I can’t wait to try them for my youngest daughter and I think they’d make great gifts too!
Margaret says
This is so adorable going to do this for my great grand daughter!
Sue says
These are so cute & they look so easy. Can’t wait to give them a try.
Terrie T says
you go girl. I would have thought of this. that is just too simple and easy. can’t wait to try this. i have 2 grand daughters.
April @ illistyle says
holy easy leggings batman! genius. pinned.
marisol says
This is so fabulous, I can’t wait to try. . I’m always trying to find unique leggings, so awesome.
Jen says
Adorable,…by any chance can you tell us where you got the precious t-shirt?
Lara says
It’s from peek kids. It was in their spring 2013 collection 🙂
Ashley says
I’m with Jen! I need that shirt on my children! Where did it come from!? I’ve googled everything to try and find it!
Susan says
What an adorable and ingenious idea! I love this!
Sheri S says
I just made one of these leggings for my granddaughter. I purchased the knee high socks at Target, but I had no idea what size to get. I got the biggest GIRL size (fits shoe size 3 – 10). I will be seeing her this weekend and can’t wait to see if they fit. Do you have any suggestions as to what size socks to buy in the future? Thank you!
Fiona says
Are these adult knee hi socks or children’s ones? They look fantastic!!
Carol Jean Gardner says
Awesome Ideas, Thank You …
Kristen says
Wow, these are so great! My girls live in leggings so I can’t wait to make a few million =)
mary says
I made these over the weekend and they turned out so well! I’ve been searching for orange leggings for my son’s halloween costume and am so glad I found your tutorial. Thanks!
Erica says
That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for…orange leggings for a Halloween costume. I don’t understand why I can’t find any orange leggings anywhere…in October…it’s a fall color, it’s a Halloween color, and it’s football season and I live in Colorado (it’s a Broncos color!) It’s crazy. I can’t even find basic orange socks to use this tutorial.
Dawn says
I made a trip to target just to make these and they are wonderful. My daughter has been in a kick of taking her clothes off recently and these are so stretchy and fitted that they are just too much effort for to take off without help, so I finally have a child that stays dressed! These have me wondering if a nice ankle sock would work for making the leggings for younger children?
Katy says
I love these!!! What a simple great idea. I’ve been making baby legs out if adult socks for 2 years now, but I never thought of making leggings. How simple and cute. I made my 2 yr old a pair and she refuses to wear them!! Haha 🙂 I’m going to try and add them to a skirt and see how she likes that.
Grandma Liz says
These are too adorable, makes me wish for another wee one!
Tisha says
LOVE!! I’m going to make a million of these tomorrow! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Sandra says
loved the knee hi socks pants
Jenny says
What size sock for a smaller baby? My friend is expecting twins (one is a girl) and I thought I’d try this and then show her how to do it!
Kati says
Hi there.
Found your leggings just via pinterest and will it definitely giving a go, but I asked myself if the elastic isn’t very scratchy at the seam? I’ve a lot of ribbing waistband here, maybe I try it with this…
Vy says
Whaatt! This is genius!!!
laura TEH says
I just found these, and I love them! I can’t wait to make some for my daughter! I hope knee socks are easier to find than cute leggings! I may even try making capris out of some shorter socks for this summer!
Ulla Benveniste says
I have been sewing for over 55 years, but I’m so impressed with these toddler wonderful idea thank you so much, I will buy kneesocks right of and am very excited to make these leggings.
Dawn Marie says
Wow!! What a Fantastic idea you have dear! I am going to try this if I can ever stop being fearful of the two sewing machines I have. lol I think my two problems are first trying to get it started (threading it)and the other is learning stitches and what their for. Well I guess there is 3 things. lol Trying to figure you out how to keep the line straight while sewing. Anyone hit any ideas for me?? Thanks for any advice in advance friends~