Hey Friends! If there’s one thing we have in common, it’s that you’ve landed on this page because you have a sincere love for being resourceful. (Or, you really love me and you’ve already subscribed *wink, wink.* If not, what are you waiting for?! Click here!) ANYWAY, I must tell you that it’s been a countless number of months since I’ve purchased my girls a pair of [cute] leggings. Why, Ashley? Simple! I learned how to make cute leggings myself! It’s so simple that you will wonder why you haven’t tried it yourself yet. And, trust me, once you’ve made them yourself you won’t want to buy them anymore either! The best part is, these DIY mom & me jammies cost me NOTHING to make. NOTHING.
FREE LEGGINGS? COUNT ME IN!
This is the perfect upcycle project to do with things you already have. Take myself for example: I am a human sauna at night (poor husband). Pajama pants do me no good. I’m a jammie shorts (or night gown) type of girl. Yet every year I’m gifted a cute pair of winter jammies that I wear only once or twice. It’s like life handing you lemons. What’s a girl to do with all of these pajamas? Answer: Make lemonade. And, by lemonade I mean cut them into a nice pair of pajama shorts for me and a matching pair of leggings for my tot!
SOUNDS GREAT! YOU SAID FREE, RIGHT? WHAT DO I NEED?
Here’s all you need: an old pair of long pjs, your tot’s current pair of leggings to use as a template, scissors or rotary cutter, elastic, thread and a sewing machine. *BONUS: rib knit material to make cuffed bottoms! It’s completely optional* (Don’t be intimidated, it’s sew easy — Like what I did there?)
I’VE GOT IT! NOW HOW DO I MAKE THESE DIY MOM & ME JAMMIES?
First, cut your shorts (A). I used an old pair to make them a relatively comfortable length. Then, turn the legs inside out and lay them one atop the other (B). Next, place your tot’s [folded] leggings on top of your leg cutouts. Use tailor’s chalk or fabric pen to trace the outline of the leggings (C). Make sure to mark enough outline for seam allowance (a quarter inch worked fine for me). At the top (waist), mark enough allowance for your elastic and then some so that the elastic band will fit comfortably. Once you have your [makeshift pattern] outline, cut it out (D-G). (Helpful hint: use the original hemline at the bottom if you’re not going to make the optional cuff. Less work!)
GOOD NEWS! YOU’RE ALREADY HALFWAY DONE!
You should now have four (two and two) lovely pieces of fabric ready to be renewed and brought back together (H). With the right sides facing together, sew from the crotch to the ankle using a zigzag or overcast stitch (I). Repeat on the second leg. Then, sew the outside leg seam all the way down (N). Now, turn one leg piece right side out (O-P) and place it inside of the other (Q-R). You should have what looks like one leg with a “U” shape (S). Always make sure the right sides are together otherwise they will appear to be opposite. Sew a zigzag stitch along that entire U shape, and turn the legs the same way leaving the piece inside out/right sides together (T-U). If you opted for a non-cuffed bottom, hem the legs.
If you opted for the cuffed bottom: cut 2 rectangles (K). My bottoms are for a 3 year old, so I measured my cuffs at about 5″ x 4″. Sew along the shorter edge (right sides together) (K). Then, tuck the cuff into itself so that all of the raw edges match up (Z). Place each cuff inside the pant leg, matching up the raw edges of the pant leg with the raw edges of the cuff (ZZ). Next, pin each cuff, making sure to stretch the cuff (NOT the pants) all the way around.
NOW YOU’RE 90 PERCENT COMPLETE WITH YOUR DIY MOM & ME JAMMIES!
Lastly, fold over the top enough to make a tubing for the elastic to fit. Then, sew majority of the way around leaving a space to feed the elastic through. After the elastic is all the way through, sew the band together securely. Next, connect it and sew it together so that it does not come apart. Lastly, sew the opening closed. Now, your tot’s leggings are ready to be worn! In addition, you have a brand new repurposed pair of jammies/leggings that won’t go to waste!
Pop some popcorn, pick a movie, and enjoy your [like] new DIY mom & me jammies!
