Custom Fit Leg Warmers

Custom Fit Leg Warmers

This past week the weather has turned colder in Wisconsin. Gone are the days of summer in are the fall days with gusty winds. Rachel's twister cables are attached to her AFO's. This means that her pants all need to be split up the sides for them to fall nicely over the twister cables and afo's. This can leave room for one of those gusty winds to blow cold air on her legs. Here is how I made a pair of leg warmers for Rachel.

Supplies Needed

 tape measure
polar fleece
1 inch wide ribbon
1 inch wide velcro
fray check
2 appliques (optional)

I first measured the circumference of Rachel's calves with her twister cables on. I am making the leg warmers to be able to fit over the top of the twister cables. I measured 8 inches. Polar fleece does stretch over time therefore I only added 1 inch onto the circumference. Measure the height of where you would like your leg warmer to start and where to end. I made Rachel's 7 inches long.

I cut out two pieces of polar fleece measuring 9 inches wide by 7 inches tall.

Next I cut two pieces of ribbon- each measuring 1 inch longer than the height of the leg warmer. Apply fray check to each end of both ribbons.

Pin one piece of ribbon to the edge of one of the pieces of polar fleece. Repeat to the other piece of polar fleece only pin the ribbon to the opposite end of the polar fleece.

Pin the ends of the ribbons to the back side of the polar fleece.

I made the owl appliques used on Rachel's leg warmers. If you have an embroidery sewing machine you can make your own or you can buy some at a local craft store.

Pin applique onto the front of the polar fleece near the bottom edge of the leg warmer.

Sew ribbon into place using 1/4 inch seam allowance or as close to the edges of the ribbon as you are comfortable sewing. 

Sew applique onto polar fleece. I used a blanket stitch on the owls but I do not like how that portion turned out. I think next time I will stick with a regular straight stitch.

I cut 2 pieces of velcro to the height of the leg warmer. I used 7 inches on these. Stitch the "soft" portion of the velcro to the top of the polar fleece on the opposite side of the ribbon. Repeat to the second leg warmer.

Apply the "hook" side of the velcro to the back side of the polar fleece- directly matching up where the ribbon is on the other side of the polar fleece. Stitch into place.

Cuteness!

You could add another smaller piece of the "soft" side of velcro to the top of the leg warmer next to the other piece of "soft" velcro to snug up the top of the leg warmer more.  Depending on the quality of your polar fleece you may need to add a small piece of stabilizer to the inside of the leg warmer to prevent the polar fleece from tearing or stretching from wear and tear during the use of the leg warmers over time.