Leggings

• 

How to make leggings

You don't need to spend the big bucks at American apparel to get the look that you want. With some stretching fabric and a little bit of work, you will be making your own hand made legging collection.

1. 

   

   Start off with a pattern. This shows you how to make the measurements you need to make your own pattern. If you don't want to go through the trouble, you can simply buy a pattern.
   
   I used McCall's M5759 pattern and made a few minor adjustments

2. 

   

   Fold your fabric length wise with both the right sides facing up so that you can make two identical pieces.
   
   Lay the pattern in the middle of the fabric.




3. 

   

   Pin the pattern to the fabric

4. 

   

   Cut around the pattern. I kept some length to the legs because I wanted the leggings to go down to my ankles.





5. 

   

   Separate the two leg pieces and fold each of them in half length wise with the right sides facing in.
   
   pin the edges
   
   

6. 

   

   Sew the inner leg edges of each leg using a double stitched seam

7. 

   

   Stop sewing right before you get to the crotch on each leg.

8. 

   

   Press the seam allowances of each leg

9. 

   

   Now you have 2 legs with pressed seam allowances

10. 

    

    Fold one of the legs right side out.

11. 

    

    You have turned one leg right side out. Slip it into the remaining leg.

12. 

    

    Stitch around the crotch using a Double Stitched seam.
    
    Press seam allowances

13. 

    

    Pull the leg out of the other and now it's time to make the band
    
    Fold the upper edge of leggings inside along the fold line.

14. 

    

    Press the Fold

15. 

    

    Stitch along the fold line leaving a small opening to fit the elastic into.

16. 

    

    Measure your waist line and add 2 inches onto the band.
    
    Put a safety pin through the elastic band and pull it through the waist line

17. 

    

    Pull it through until it comes out the other side

18. 

    

    Sew the elastic together and sew the opening of the waist band up.

19. 

    

    Fold your leggi

Teacup candles

These really are the perfect gifts. They really take no time at all and you can get very creative with the project. I recycled some old candles that had burnt out. The teacups were found in thrift stores and garage sales separated from the rest of their sets.

1. 

   

   Before starting this project you should assess which cups you will be using and how much wax you think it will take to fill them. You will find that you can normally knock a few cups out at once.

2. 

   

   Measure and cut your wick for each cups height and add 2 inches or so. wrap the wick around a skewer(a stick or pencil works fine as well) and place in on top the middle of the cup.





3. 

   

   Break up your wax (a hammer and screw driver works really well)if you had a big candle like I did. It just makes it easier to melt when the pieces of wax are small.

4. 

   

   Put the wax in a pouring pot if you have it. A regular pot will work just as well. Put the pouring pot into your second pot and melt the wax on medium low heat.
   
   optional: you would add fragrance or coloring once the wax has melted.




5. 

   

   Pour the melted wax into your teacups stopping at about 1/2 inch below the cup's rim. Allow the wax to cool for about an hour.
   A well will usually form in the middle of the candle after it has cooled. Pour more melted wax to fill in the well and until the wax is about 1/4 inch below the rim.

6. 

   

   Enjoy your beautiful new creations!