THE DRAPERY BLOG

  Leggings, leggings, leggings. If these two pairs look a  little rumpled and well-loved, it's because they have been in constant rotation all throughout the colder months. This is a fabulous pattern that we've been waiting a long time to share with you because of some shipping mishaps. Meanwhile my test pairs of leggins have been tested, and tested, and tested! (And passed with flying colours!)  Cake Patterns is the creation of Stephanie Cousins, a US expat living in Brisbane. She is very dedicated to creating wearable, comfortable clothing patterns for a wide range of women's shapes and sizes. The Espresso Leggings are custom-fit, meaning you follow the instructions to take a bunch of your own measurements, plot them on the pattern and 'connect-the-dots' to create your own personalised pattern piece. This means a great fit that should hug but not constrict in all the right places and won't have you hitching up and readjusting all day long. The i...

This is part two of DIY leggings - for how to make your pattern, see previous post . Leggings: •       Suitable fabric (stretchy knit), the length that you would like your leggings plus a little for hemming, prewashed and dried. Aim for fabric with a similar amount of stretch to the leggings you're using for your pattern.   (The Drapery recommends our soy/organic cotton/spandex knit , 100% New Zealand Merino jersey or rib, Australian made cotton/spandex knit or even the gorgeous Lillestoff organic cotton/spandex stripes ) •       Elastic, your preference but soft and fairly wide is recommended (1/2 inch used here) •       Dressmaker's shears or rotary cutter •       Poly/all purpose thread and stretch needle for regular sewing machine •       Overlocker if you have one (optional but great) For some great tips on sewing with ...

If you have a pair of leggings that fits really well, you can trace the shape and make yourself more. It's just a single pattern piece! Here's how to make the pattern. It's really rather simple so don't be put off by the length of this post... we're just trying to make it super-duper clear. Supplies Leggings that fit you well A large piece of paper (or several taped together) Pencil & scissors First, make sure your leggings are freshly washed so they are, as much as possible, in their original non-stretched shape. Lay them out on your paper, front side up, with the outside of the leg in about the middle of the paper. Make sure there's extra paper at the top and bottom too, for adding waistband and hem allowances. You'll be working with one leg/side only so you'll need to be tucking the other side away a bit. Line up the inside leg seam so it's right on the fold, all the way from ankle to... ahem... crotch. (There's really no nic...