I have made some new tights! and now I have paprika legs. You know, paprika, the hot n’ spicy stuff.
I like the idea of hot spicy legs 😉 you see, my initial impulse was to go with “oompa loompa” legs, but it seemed a little… er, silly? Ridiculous? Too close to the bone?! I prefer the poetry of paprika!
Taking part in me-made May has once again taught me that I have plenty of me-made clothes. So much that I really don’t need to be sewing fripperies for myself. I am going to devote myself from now on to sewing two types of things: challenging sewing, for fun and self-fulfillment; and replacement or maintenance sewing, making essential things that I actually really need.
This is part of the latter.
The colourful RTW tights and leggings I was wearing last year and the year before have finally gotten hole-y enough to be embarrassing and are now retired to become pool-socks. You know, when stockings get old you use them to put powdered pool chemicals in, tie off and then sit them in the swimming pool. So the chemicals can dissolve slowly without getting hoovered up by the creepy crawly.
I bought this rich burnt orange polyester knit last year, specifically for tights when the time came.
I used my own self-drafted pattern, and the piece was big enough to squeak out two pairs. So I made one pair from each of the “sides” so one pair is marginally darker and redder, and the other pair is lighter, a bit more “pumpkin” than red. The differences are very slight. The pair I am wearing here is the left-hand “redder” pair. I figure I will wear these exclusively until they get a hole, and then I can start on the reserve pair.
Verdict: well, the colour is bright but I LOVE it, and think it will fit in beautifully with my autumnal colour scheme. I think cheerful tights will always have a place pepping up the sombre drab neutrals, the blacks, charcoal and browns that are the backbone of my winter wardrobe. So these will be useful.
Now, I just need a black pair, and I think I will be all set for a me-made, warm legged winter…. 🙂
Details:
Tights; self-drafted using my own tutorial for making custom fit tights, rusty orange polyester knit
Top; half of a self-drafted twinset, leopard print knit, details here, and see this twinset styled in 6 different ways here
Dress; the gathered hole from Pattern Magic, charcoal fabric, details here
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes
in my family’s me-made efforts today; Craig is wearing this shirt again, Cassie is wearing these hand-knit socks, and Sam is wearing this shirt…
Craig’s shirt; Burda 7767, striped cotton with yellow facings, details here
Cassie’s socks; knitted by me to a 60’s pattern, 2ply wool, details here
Sam’s shirt; Burda 7767 modified, navy and white check fabric, details here
Wow! You made tights. I just don't even know what to say because I find that so amazing.
They will be a wonderful pop of colour on a Winters day. I cheated and now have two pairs of coloured tights from the store.
I do like the pop of red with the leopard and grey!
Love those tights. I am going to have to make myself some warm leggings. Love the colour.
Gorgeous colour! I'm another who is impressed that you sew your own tights 🙂 although I know from following your blog these are not the first pair (nor likely the last I'm guessing). They look great.
Super. Amazing. I never thought of making tights for some reason. Leggings, yes. But tights? Consider my mind blown!
Hi Carolyn, those tights will really give you a colour zing, they are gorgeous.
Fabulous pop of colour. It sings against the grey dress.
Great color! I am so impressed you made tights! ~Teri
great tights love the color and this is one of your most interesting photographs, I like the setting.
Cool! Me-made tights!!
We've been away (again) this last week, only here in Britain. UK caravan sites want you to pay for Wifi access (unlike many sites in France). We declined and so I have some catching up to do! Love these tights!
great ! I try to do tights with your tuto next, but they are less beautifull than yours. It's a bit difficult to pin it myself. (super, j'ai fait des collants avec ton tuto, mais ils sont moins beaux que les tiens. C'est un peu difficile de faire l'épinglage seule)
Love the tights, love the colour.
Your tights are a gorgeous colour. Love the dress too.
Love these tights. And your whole outfit today. I really need to try your tutorial.
Loving the paprika tights!!
Wow, awesome color and sewing skills!
Wow! They look great!! I wear mostly me made but I'd given myself a free pass for tights and undies. (and previously knitted items but slooooowly workin on that) However youv've now raised the bar. Tights …. hmm.
You're so cool! The tights are a fantastic color for fall, or any time of year.
That dress went on my to-make list way back when when you first made it. It's still there.
OK, you and I are on the exact same wavelength. I wore my grey Vogue scooter dress today and used some grey leggings for warmth. I really wanted bright blue leggings but alas not in my wardrobe. I will make some-thanks to you. You look wonderful!!
Awesome! You have made tights…Carolyn, you are an incredible seamstress!!! So inspiring!
Great coloured tights Carolyn. These are a maintenance piece but a must have piece too!
Your tights are lovely, but I really love our dress too 🙂
I love that you made your own tights! How did you get the seams flat enough to be comfortable? Are they just a very small overlocked seam? I need to add this to my stash of sewing knowledge!!
Oops just read your next post and my question is answered in the comments, thank you ! (I am catching up, as I have been away.)