How to Make a Sweater into Leggings

You can make your own pair of leggings from an old sweater. You can use the long sleeves of any sweater to make a pair of leggings with a little sewing and some elastic. Following are directions on how to make a sweater into leggings using the sleeves.

The easiest way to make a sweater into leggings is to use the sleeves of a long-sleeved sweater. Cut the sleeves straight across off the sweater. The cut edge will be the top of your leggings. You will use the bottom edge for the bottom of your leggings since it is narrower.

You can use thread to gather an inch or two across the cut edge of the sweater to make the top of the leggings, but it is easier to just use elastic to make a cuffed edge.

Cut a piece of soft elastic to fit just below your knee. Wider elastic will make a wider cuff. Be sure to stretch the elastic to a comfortable fit before cutting.

With the sleeve inside out, pin each edge of the elastic so the edges are touching to the sleeve. Leave a one-width length across the top of the edge before pinning the elastic. For example, if you are using half-inch elastic, pin the elastic a half inch down from the top of the sweater to make a hem when finished.

Gently stretch the elastic while attaching with pins to the sleeve. Sew the elastic onto the sleeve across each length all the way around.

Fold over the top half inch of the sweater sleeve and sew to cover the elastic. Be sure to stretch the elastic while sewing to keep the stitches neat and even.

If the bottom edge of the sweater sleeve is too loose, you may follow the same directions as above to use elastic to fix the bottom edge of your leggings. Be sure to measure the elastic as above to fit where you'd like the leggings to rest.

If the bottom edge of the sweater sleeve is too tight, you may cut it off. Be sure to use elastic as describe above to fix the bottom edge of your leggings.