The Sewing Place

Leggings fabric?

Nevis5

Leggings fabric?
« on: August 27, 2018, 12:51:42 PM »
DD has asked me to help her make (ha! no chance, I know who will be doing it) some leggings for autumn/winter.  I have a couple of patterns which I can use but I've never done leggings, or even worn them, so am not sure what fabric would be best for them??  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Also what about the waistband?  What do you use for those?

TIA for any help! 

Lachica

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2018, 13:26:47 PM »
I made a couple of pairs a few years back. I made a pattern from an existing pair & cotton/elastane fabric from Fabricland. Overlocked, turned waist over & threaded through wide elastic then zigzagged over it top & bottom to stop it twisting. I wore them to death, still have one pair left for gardening.
Mary
2020 stash: not gonna count, not gonna feel guilty.

Nevis5

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2018, 13:59:49 PM »
Ah, thank you, @Lachica !  was just wondering about the different types of lycra fabrics available online.  I'd prefer cotton for myself (if I were to make such a thing, which is unlikely) but will check with DD and have a squizz at the labels on her present pairs to see what they're made from. 

Efemera

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2018, 17:19:45 PM »
Anything with a 4 way stretch..just a band of elastic for the waist. It’s donkeys years since I made any but I made all mine in the 80s.

BrendaP

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2018, 17:26:19 PM »
Anything with a 4 way stretch.
Best if that stretch comes from a bit of lycra, but no fabric is 100% lycra.  10-15% should be more than enough for leggings.  The very stretchiest stuff (swimsuits etc) is 20-25% lycra.  The rest can be anything.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

coffeeandcake

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2018, 19:43:21 PM »
My leggings are made from French terry.  They are warm, long-lasting, and you certainly can't see any underwear through them as with some of the cheaper fabrics.

Renegade Sewist

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2018, 00:02:20 AM »
My leggings are made from French terry.  They are warm, long-lasting, and you certainly can't see any underwear through them as with some of the cheaper fabrics.

Good point. Leggings to wear under tunics or dresses versus leggings to wear in lieu of pants/trousers have different needs. So many here wear them in lieu of pants but don't make sure they are beefier fabric. So do give the fabric a good stretch and hold it over something to see if it is going to reveal things your Daughter might not want to show.
Hey Bill! Read the manual!  Hehehe.

ambro0

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2018, 08:02:23 AM »
I've made tights from cotton Lycra which has four-way stretch plus a cut on elastic waistband. The only problem with this fabric is that unless the fabric in your top is heavy enough, it will cling to the bottoms.

I have purchased jeggings which are made from a lightweight denim which is bonded to a webbed fabric. Unfortunately, I've never seen this fabric to buy.
Annette

Bernina Aurora QE440, Bernina 1150MDA Overlocker, Janome Coverpro 1000 CPX, Elna Air Electronic SU

Nevis5

Re: Leggings fabric?
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2018, 15:59:14 PM »
Thank you, all!  You are all stars  <3 <3  I've had a look at some of her leggings today which seem to be like a thick almost-ponte like knit with extra stretch so I'll have a look online to see if I can find something similar.   @Renegade Sewist , definitely beefy is the way to go,  she always wears dresses or tunics over her leggings as she is a peripatetic music teacher and seems to spend most of her working day crawling on the floor or marching children around playing noisy instruments ;)

She's quite excited at the thought of having leggings that fit round her without sliding down all the time.  Hope I'm up to this challenge! xx