i've long wanted a pair of transparent mesh black leggings
and stumbled across some glorious black wool mesh
at a local fabric store*.
yes, wool.
i was willing to accept anything in the black mesh spectrum
so this was an unexpected bonus.
L E G G I N G S
the pattern
grab a pair of your favourite leggings,
trace the shape of one full leg to waist onto paper.
add 20cm extra length to the ankles.
measure overall length of new pattern [ie 95cm or 110cm]
the fabric
purchase enough mesh fabric to, typically, match the length of your leg pattern [ie 1m or 1.25m],
width of your fabric should be at least 100cm wide.
with selvedges together, fold the mesh fabric in half lengthwise;
then fold the mesh fabric lengthwise again (4 thicknesses of fabric in total).
place outside leg of pattern onto doubled fold-line (opposite side to the selvedge);
cut around your pattern (this allows you to cut 2 legs at once).
the garment
set up overlocker or sewing machine to rolled hem setting
stitch around ankle edge.
with right sides together, seam up the inside leg of both legs.
turn one leg to the right side and tuck into other leg
with gusset edges together [ie centre back to centre back, etc.],
seam.
note: i then tried mine on and ended up bringing in the legs a little more at this point.
grab some 2.5cm wide black elastic;
measure your waist dimension + cut elastic to suit.
stitch to top/waist edge.
turn right side out.
voila!
* this store sells random rolls + end of run fabrics:
sometimes a desert,
sometimes a rare gem in the desert,
sometimes a veritable goldmine.
this was of the 'rare gem in the desert' ilk.
