Here’s a quick and ridiculously easy way to repurpose old or too-small tights! This DIY was the result of my own personal addiction to buying adorably patterned (but way-too-small) kids’ tights. I was determined to figure out a way to make them wearable, and eventually I got the idea to just turn them into socks! Here’s how I did it.

You’ll need:

  • Legging-style tights—children’s tights are perfect for this, in my experience, but adult-size tights will work fine too.
  • Scissors
  • A sewing machine (preferably with a zigzag function)

How to do it:

1. Fold your tights in half, making sure the bottom hems are lined up nice and even.

2. Use a ruler to measure about four inches* away from the seat seam. Mark this measurement.

* If you want your socks to be taller/shorter then please feel free to adjust this measurement to your liking.

3. Cut straight across from the measurement you marked in the previous step.

4. After you cut the legs off from the tights you’ll have these two tubular pieces of fabric. Sew the raw ends of the tubes shut with a zigzag stitch. I like to sew mine with the sock right-side out; that way the seam will be on the outside of the sock rather than inside where it can irritate your toes.

Now you’ve got yourself a pair of knee-high socks! The perfect accessory for wearing with plaid skirts à la Cher Horowitz. ♦