Tuesday, April 30

Make A Bandeau From Old Leggings

Yesterday I was searching and searching my house for a bandeau to prevent an inevitable wardrobe malfunction.  I have a bunch, but I couldn't find any.  Anywhere.  I NEEDED one to wear under a specific dress, so I decided to make one.  I have a huge fabric stash, but sometimes it feels daunting to go through it all.  I was in a hurry... and maybe feeling just a little lazy.  Anyway, I found these tie-dye leggings that I wore maybe once and decided they would do.

I cut just below the elastic on the waist and just above the (ahem) crotch.  I tried it on, decided how tight it needed to be and then stitched a straight line there.  I cut off the excess and put it on.  It was that simple.  If you like a more finished look, you could definitely hem the top and bottom, but honestly, I don't care a bit about the rolled edges.

I'm probably going to end up doing this with all of my old leggings just because it's super simple and gives them new life.  Plus, I can never find the things when I need them, so it never hurts to have a few extra.  ;)


43 comments:

  1. Mo BlogujeApril 30, 2013 at 1:12 AM

    What a good idea. I have got a lot of leggings I don't wear anymore. Maybe it's time to re-fashion :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Caroline BApril 30, 2013 at 1:21 AM

    Great idea - and you could recycle the leg bits as leg warmers maybe?

    ReplyDelete
  3. kelsey_the farmer's daughterApril 30, 2013 at 2:04 AM

    This is a brilliant idea! Love!

    ReplyDelete
  4. leah.April 30, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    such a great idea, especially as the weather warms up! this looks supercomfy as well... genius!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AmyApril 30, 2013 at 2:45 AM

    Great idea, thank you :)

    Amy| The Little Koala Blog ♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. urbannaApril 30, 2013 at 2:56 AM

    Great idea! So simple and it looks great too. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  7. MarieApril 30, 2013 at 3:00 AM

    What a cool idea ! I now know what I'm gonna do with these old leggings that I don't wear anymore !

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 3:24 AM

    Love it! I will do this next week! Such an great idea ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. IwonaApril 30, 2013 at 3:30 AM

    Very interesting post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. HelenApril 30, 2013 at 4:03 AM

    This is a really smart idea, I'm always getting holes in leggings so it'd be good to be able to reuse them in some way, I had been thinking about cutting them to make yarn but both may be possible
    http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  11. danaeLApril 30, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    A perfect idea for the warm season!

    ReplyDelete
  12. All the little things - Irish Beauty BlogApril 30, 2013 at 4:56 AM

    Great idea!

    http://allthelittlethings3.blogspot.co.uk/

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. ariApril 30, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    Yay! This is so simple but so clever! I just chucked a pair of leggings I was wearing today into my refashion pile because my legs are too long for them and I hate the feeling of the crotch at my thighs!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hanna LeiApril 30, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    This is a great idea. I think I'm going to have to try it. Hanna

    ReplyDelete
  15. Chris - @nylonlover69 on TwitterApril 30, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    What a great idea! And perfectly exercised too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mary B.April 30, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    I have these same leggings and I can never decide what to wear them with. This is such a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  17. StephanieApril 30, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    I've been meaning to buy a bandeau or two. But now I think I may just cut up a few pair of super old leggings. :) Thanks for the idea, Katie!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mia MaleneApril 30, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    Fantastic idea! I tend to have the same issue - I definitely gotta try this asap!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Blue CurtainApril 30, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    great idea!!! going to try this!! :)

    www.thebluecurtain.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. kateApril 30, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    such a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ladies in NavyApril 30, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    love this simple diy! thanks for sharing
    kw Ladies in Navy
    Target giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  22. HilApril 30, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    And with the leftover legs you can make baby leggings for poesy!

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    Brilliant!!!
    www.shannonheartsblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. LARY @InspirationNookApril 30, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    So awesome! Looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    simple and amazing idea for all my old leggings! Thanks for sharing x

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousApril 30, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    I would love to know where the shirt is from!

    ReplyDelete
  27. taraApril 30, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    What a great idea!! So cute.

    ReplyDelete
  28. MelanieApril 30, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    Yes! Thank you soo much for this idea. It's hard for me to find a bandeau that fits well because I have larger *ahem* chest and a small waist. So either they're too big around waist, or too small around my bust. Plus, I have tons & tons of old leggings I never wear.
    Definitely gonna try this out!
    Thanks ^_^

    xo Melanie
    http://thehalfginger.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    This is my kind of project--spur of the moment and inspired by a need. I love it! I also gave new life to some old clothes in a project on my blog this week. Check it out!


    http://sevendaysaweekblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousApril 30, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    This is a super idea!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ali MApril 30, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ali MApril 30, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    You're so stinkin cute. Your posts make me smile. ;]

    ReplyDelete
  33. onetenzerosevenMay 1, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    Ohmigosh!! What a genius idea! I am doing this with all my leggings that the dog has attacked with his, albeit lovely, very sharp claws!! ;)

    Sophie | onetenzeroseven

    ReplyDelete
  34. MariaMay 1, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    I'm forever looking for my bandeau tops, so this is a super idea!

    Maria xx
    www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Cari ByersMay 1, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    great idea never thought of that!

    ReplyDelete
  36. UnknownMay 1, 2013 at 7:26 PM

    oh woah. very clever. this diy bandeau has never even crossed my mind!
    phenomenal. thanks for that tip and idea!

    - Janine
    http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jenn RushMay 1, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Love that idea! Would you consider ever doing a post about how you stay so stinkin' thin? :-) I really enjoyed Emma's post on health and exercise, and I'm just curious how you stay so adorable! :D

    ReplyDelete
  38. ElisabethMay 2, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    This is such a great idea, thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Tanja S.May 2, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    I'd like never get the idea for such a DIY but it's so great, love it! :) It's a shame I don't own any leggings.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Savage SeedsMay 6, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Super cute idea!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousMay 17, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    this is fantastic, I made one last night out of a pair of black leggings and it was so easy and looks so cute! I used the waistband elastic for a skirt I am making and used the legs to make two headbands for working out. What a great inspiring use of something all us girls have wayyyy too many of in our closets :-)

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousMay 17, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  43. ZoëMay 31, 2013 at 12:50 AM

    I have a pair of leggings that are all ripped at the bottom, but the top of them is just fine! I might have to do this when I find the time.

    ReplyDelete