Monday, April 8, 2013

DIY: How to turn tights into thigh high stockings

I bought a pair of back seam cuban heel tights from amazon. Being almost 6 feet tall, I was really hoping they would be tall enough. They weren't. Either I wouldn't wear them at all or I could do an experiment. If they got ruined, oh well. I decided to turn them in to thigh highs. I was a little nervous at first because they are so delicate. This worked out perfect for me, I'm not sure if some styles it wont. Just be careful and take your time. It worked out great though!  I actually have a lot of tights that will now turn into thigh highs.

                      What you will need:
                              Scissors
                              Clear nail polish
                              A sock ball
                              Sewing machine
                              Garter belt


 Step One: Set out our stockings or tights on the floor so they are nice and flat
 
Step Two: Cut them at the length you want them. I cut theses just above the back seam, just in case, I didn't want any unraveling. I also cut them at the longest possible point.

  Step Three: Stuff a rolled up sock in the stocking. Its best to you a different color so you can see the edge of the stocking. 

 
Step Four: Using any clear nail polish coat the ends fully. Do this all the way a round. I did two coats, just in case I missed a spot. This is what helps the stocking from getting a run in it. Let fully dry!

Step Five: Using a zig-zag stitch and I used a #4 on my stitch length dial. Stretch the stocking and sew all around the stocking. You stretch it, that way it wont be sew too tight of a stitch and then it wont fit around your thigh. 


Step Six: Attach them to a garter belt and look adorable! 
 

 

 Then get a pervy dog to look up your dress. Well, try not to let that happen. I guess this is my version a Gil Elvgren pin-up.



8 comments:

  1. Thankyou so much, I also have the problem of being 6" tall and with larger thighs I really just cannot wear full stockings, especially since putting on weight. I have a whole drawer of really pretty ones as well as just the plain ones and its a real hassle not being able to use them so I've been wondering how to turn them into thigh highs and to just use them with my suspender belt. A lot of searches I have done have basically told me it cannot be done they won't stay up once you cut them. Well hey, thigh highs don't stay up without the suspenders on my chunky legs anyway and of course the lack of info was quite frustrating. My main concern was how to stitch the top up, I figured I'd need to use the nail polish but just worried about the strength at the top with being pulled by my suspender hooks. I will certainly give it a go now though that I know it can be done, again thankyou so much ^.^

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  2. Thank you so much for this post! I couldn't find green thigh highs to save my life and this helped me hack a pair of tights on my own <3

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  3. Hi, you make mind blowing ideas On Socks Stockings Tights and a spectacular article here. Last time, when I saw your site this was a little better but today I visit the web site again and find that you guys making a very smart work on the site.

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  4. I love this idea! I always have issues with tights since I have long legs, and the elastic on top is always uncomfortable, I much prefer garter belts. I'm going to try this out, and if it works, share this on my blog. Which you should check out! Its for the Pinup girl on a budget, www.PinupDeetz.com

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  5. Please post the brand name and model number of the sewing machine you used. My email is joelinnewjersey@yahoo.com is your interested in doing some business to earn cash on this project.

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  6. Thank you sooooo much. I was worried that being 6'1 I would never be able to wear all the cute tights my sister brought me from France. I've wanted to turn them into thigh highs but was so scared of putting runs in them. I can't wait to try this method out.

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  7. Omg this is so helpful, but sadly I don't have a sowing machine that works. ;-;

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  8. All kinds of thigh stocking are sale online www.00701.com

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