DIY Polka Dot Leggings (with fabric paint)
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With St. Patrick’s day right around the corner, I wanted to make a little something for my missy so she would be “pinch-proof.” Since she already had this cute little green top, I thought green polka dot leggings would complete the outfit. (Plus it gave me another chance to use the free legging pattern I released a while back.)
(Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to check out my free patterns and tutorials page here.)
I searched and searched online for the perfect green polka dot print stretch knit fabric, but was just not finding anything that I liked. I did, however, have this white spandex lycra knit in my stash and a bucketful of fabric paint! I figured, why not just paint them myself? I’m glad I did because the finished result was super cute!
Painting the polka dots on the fabric was really very quick and easy. I have a couple more yards of this fabric left over and can’t wait to make a few more items.
The pattern I used for the leggings is free and in sizes 3 to 12. (Get it here.) Want to try painting fabric yourself? I have just a couple of tips/reminders to share.
How to paint on fabric:
Materials you will need: (I linked to what I used so you can see it)
- Knit fabric (looks like she is out of stock on the white, but I linked to the off-white so you could see it.)
- circle foam brushes
- fabric paint
- ruler (love this ruler, the lip fits on the edge of my cutting mat and help me line up my cuts/fabric)
- fabric marker
- Free legging pattern (of course you don’t have to make leggings, this would be an adorable top too!)
Instructions:
1. To keep my polka dots from looking messy, I used my ruler and fabric marker to draw lines in a grid pattern. It took a few extra minutes to draw the lines, but it was worth it based on how nicely lined up the polka dots turned out.
2. When you’re cutting the pattern (shorts/leggings/pants) out of the fabric, make sure you remember to flip the pattern over/upside down otherwise after you cut the front pieces or the front/back pieces won’t match up. (Yes, I forgot to do this and had to paint another piece of fabric…)
3. Follow the fabric paint directions on drying time and sew the pattern up as normal!
Oops, mom just took one picture too many!
No close-ups pictures of the pants today, they are very happily traveling to Grandma’s for Spring Break! Whoo hoo!
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