Charlie modelling her baby leggings
I was so impressed with results of my Baby Legwarmers in 5 minutes for $3.50 project that I got to thinking about all those lovely stripy and patterned socks and how stretchy and forgiving they were to sew.
I came up with a crazy idea, and what do you know …
…It worked!
So here it is …
5 minute Baby and Toddler Leggings
This project is very easy and takes about 5 minutes to make. You will need one pair of adult knee high socks and some 6mm elastic (I used clear swimwear elastic but I am absolutely sure that standard braided elastic would work just perfectly).
There was a sale on socks so I got a few different sorts to test out – This lot (8 pairs) cost just over $15
Step 1: Pick a pair of socks and cut the toe section off as shown
Cut the toe section off your chosen socks(both of them)
Step 2: Cut along the centre sole of the sock (where it is folded) from where you have cut the toe off to the centre of the heal section as shown.
Cut straight down the sole of the socks (again, both of them)
Step 3: Turn one sock inside out then insert the other sock (the one that is still right side out) inside the first sock and line up the cut edges as shown in the picture
Put one sock inside the other and line up the cut edges
Step 4: Sew (using a zigzag stitch) or overlock around the seam that will become the crotch seam – leave the top (where you cut the toe off) open. Then you should have something that looks like the pic below.
Sew the crotch seam
Step 5: Sew (using a zigzag stitch) or overlock your elastic to the inside upper edge of your leggings (the open edge)
Gently stretch the elastic as you sew it on, no a lot, just enough to counteract the sewing machine stretching your fabric out as you sew.
Note: If you are using your overlocker for this part, make sure that the cutting blade is disabled and that you have adjusted the differential feed so that the stitching will still allow the fabric to stretch right out after you have finished. On my overlocker a setting of 1 is considered standard and I used a setting of 0.75. You need to remember to stretch your elastic gently as well, as mentioned above.
Sew your elastic to the upper edge while gently stretching
Step 6: Fold the the edge with the elastic sewn to it to the inside and zig zag around the edge. This will create a neat and finished edge as shown.
Fold the elastic in and zig zag the top edge
The finished top edge
Now you are finished – One pair of baby leggings in 5 minutes (you will notice in the picture below that the top is a bit wobbly – this is what happens if you don’t stretch your elastic enough. it doesn’t really matter because they are still snug when they are on bubs)
The finished leggings
One thing I did think is that these would probably not fit that well over a cloth nappy, so I tried some using mens size 11-13 dress and sports socks – these give more room in the top part although the legs are shorter – more like 7/8 leggings. Check out the results below
Mens dress sock leggings
Mens sports socks leggings
…and that is the end of the story 🙂
If you make some sock bloomers, be sure to grab some pics and hashtag them #SEW4BUB I would love to see your creations!
As always, thanks for reading.
Liz xx
Update 25/10/2015 – I have recently revisited this idea, check out the other posts in this series:
Socks to baby and toddler bloomers
5 min leggings for bigger kids
The Bonds Nappy Cover Hack
Sew 4 Bub 
What a great idea! I see those leg warmers in stores up to $12! Insane! Great fashion statement, perfect solution for knee protection, and a bonus of keeping those legs warm and comfy!
These are cute as! and so easy 🙂
Five minutes including cutting. Cute and so easey
I can’t believe it. You are so inventive. Thanks for the tute.
Thanks very much, it’s my pleasure 🙂
Thanks for the Tutorial. I love your blog and look forward some new creative tutorials! Thanks so much!
Wow! I just made these for my baby girl. I can’t find reasonably priced plain leggings for her. I bought a pair of ladies dress socks for a dollar and these were so simple. This might become addictive, thanks for the great idea!
Wow…mind blown. I have made the leg warmers before but it never occurred to me to sew the bottoms together! Awesome! 🙂
oh i’m so excited I found this. I just picked up three pairs of knee socks tonight to make baby legs. But I was thinking I much rather have my daughter wear the full tights. thanks so much for sharing
What a great idea! Can’t wait to try this out!
I featured this on my blog today, feel free to stop by & check it out 🙂
http://artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com/2012/02/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-22.html
Cute blog, thanks for the mention 🙂
I think I’m doing something wrong. every time i try one of the legs ends up inside out. Can you clarify the part about putting one inside the other and sewing?
Hi Allicia, this made me smile as I have done this many times myself 🙂 you need to turn one leg inside out then upt the leg that is right way out inside the other one – you should have right sides touching.
http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2011/01/simple-pajama-pants-tutorial/
This site make PJ pants the same way – has some pics to look at that might help 🙂
cool, thanks, As soon as the babies fall asleep I’m going to try again!
This is quite possibly the most ingenious thing I have EVER seen. You are brilliant. Thanks for the tutorial, I’m excited to go make some leggings with the socks I got for 97 cents at Target!! 🙂
Thanks 🙂 – post us some pics of your finished product – would love to see!
WOW! That’s all I can say. I can’t wait to try this!
If you made them with largish wool socks, do you think they’d work as a diaper cover?
I think this would work really well!
Very cleaver and a great tutorial. Thank you for sharing
Just made three pairs from adorable socks I found on Clearance at Target for $1.75 a pair. Love them!
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I don’t understand the part where you turn one sock inside out then put one inside the other… Wouldn’t that mean one leg is right IDE out Nd the other inside out? Any help would be great 🙂
Hi Jesse,
You need to turn one leg inside out then put the leg that is right way out inside the other one – you should have right sides touching.
http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2011/01/simple-pajama-pants-tutorial/
This site make PJ pants the same way – has some pics to look at that might help.
Cheers
Liz
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I love this idea!
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These are great! I have bragged about and showed these off like crazy. These have been the best DIY item with Baby this winter. Here’s my site description with a link to your awesome tutorial: http://www.emilylikestomakestuff.com/diy-baby-leggingspants-made-from-adult-socks/ Thank you for posting your how-to.
Thanks for the link – your little one is such a cutie, and you are right these are just perfect for crawlers!
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These are great! Do you know what range of sizes this would work for? My daughter is wearing 3t/4t right now. I am off to find a pair of knee high socks to test this out! Leggings are so expensive. Thanks for the tutorial!!
Hi Alecia, since your daughter is likely not wearing nappies at this stage I think they would fit ok (although she may be at the top of the range ) Just make sure you get the largest size socks you can to make sure the rise is long enough or, I have seen people add a stretch fabric waistband (like on yoga pants) for older kids which seems to work really well.
Cheers Liz
Thanks for the advice! I am going to try some now!
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This is great, wish I found it sooner, my youngest is 5 now, still this is just what i need for their BUILD A BEAR clothes for Christmas. Money is tight so thank you so much for this…I’m not a great sewer but I can do this! If you tag this with dolls clothes diy easy and build a bear and american girl dolls clothes diy you will get more blog guests for sure.
Hey Rachel, Glad you like it, and thanks for the tip! 🙂
can this be made so it is reversible? I love the idea but want a little extra twist.
I am sure you could – just make 2 pairs and join them at the waistband one inside out to the other. – They would be nice and warm 🙂
I have known someone to make these, but she said they could only come in NV sizes, any idea what sizes these can all come in? I know it depends on the size of the baby too… but I would want to make them for my 6 month old too. I see your little model is crawling, so I hope making bigger sizes is possible!!
The fit is dependant on the size of the sockd you start with. I think if you used adult sized knee high socks these should easily fit a six month old.
How long is your elastic?
Hi Laura, It was a while ago that I made these so I don’t know specifically. best thing to do is measure around the wearers waist and make the elastic a comfortable fit.
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Oh my my my I am dreaming of all the cute socks i can make stocking for my tiny now !!! Thanks so much for the DIY
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