How to Make Fairy Tights

First and foremost: Thank you for selecting this tutorial to become magical. You're on your way to being one step fancier than the rest.

To help the tutorial I highly suggest watching my Youtube video on how to create them.
These are based on the tights Lirika Matoshi created. However to my dismay, I can no longer purchase them, so I decided to make some for myself.

This is a fun project that easily turns into a lot longer of a project if you get too wrapped up in it. So let's get started!

You can totally use some old torn-up tights or fishnets that need some love. I had these old fishnet tights that I bought on sale and never used that are featured in my Youtube video.

• Fishnet tights
• sewing needle and thread
• fabric flowers
• cabochons aka flatback pearls or flatback rhinestones
• thick paper or thin cardboard
• scissors
• beads
• universal adhesive or E6000

In my supply list I say Fishnet tights. I haven't tried other tights but make sure you have a pair that works for you. It's extremely important to mention that the tights I used have a wide netting. The wider the netting the looser the cluster is going to be. The smaller the netting the better to have more clusters.

While I have only done this with fishnets, I can imagine you can perform this on normal tights. I do not really recommend this tutorial on thigh highs because they might get heavy depending on how big your design is.

Picking your materials to make yourself into a fairy is HUGE... well maybe not a fairy but if you want to feel like the magical creature you are and wanting to bring it to life, you need the special ingredients to make it happen. We can't say magical words to make it happen like the storybooks unless you can just wave a bank card and ta-da you have magic tights that way.

BUT WE PREFER THE DIY ROUTE HERE. So the ingredients other than tights would be~~~
-Cabochons aka flatbacked half-beads/icons are one of the best things I recommend here.
-Fabric flowers are great for this.
I don't recommend paper flowers because the tights will not be washable. If you live in a rainly location, this might also ruin them too.
-Sequins of all shapes and sizes. Sequins are a great way for you to create your own flowers or shapes if you don't have access to other unique bits.
-Assortment of beads. Definitely great for filler or attaching your sequins on. The more shapes and sizes the better you have a chance to play around with your design.
-Needles and thread. This is definitely the best way to attach all of your beads and findings to your tights.
-Glue. And I mean the toughest hardcore glues out there. I prefer using E6000 or clear contact glue for this as it's strong and holds it all together. This is perfect for the cabochons and anything that might be heavy.
-Small embroidery pieces or lace. You get the point I hope? You can go big if you want.

JUST LETTING YOU KNOW!

This is the perfect time to create a layout or color scheme for your tights. It seemed to work better when you have a color palette to choose from.

Such ideas:

• pink, teal, blues
• white, iridescent
• Holiday-themed
• cabochon based
• favorite colors

Extremely important. WEAR YOUR TIGHTS. You need to wear your tights to see where you are going to place your pretty things.

Give yourself a guideline of how high and low you want the design to go. Make sure you understand how much you want to wrap around the leg as well. Highly do NOT recommend wrapping around to the back of the knee cap. It'll feel really weird there so I recommend keeping the backside clean for sitting and walking purposes.

I'm using a small piece of cardboard/cardstock underneath my tights as my working area. This is super important so you don't get glue on yourself or poke yourself with a needle. It's almost like an embroidery hoop but for your tights.

Before you start working, make sure to get a good stretch in as you'll be wearing these and working on them at the same time. I've tried a different process and it just doesn't work well unless it fits your body.

For bigger pieces on fishnets, attach these at the cross points. The lines are a bit flimsy. But sewing beads here is the best for extra sparkle if you have wide fishnet tights. For those who choose smaller netting, this is not really a great idea but you can try.

If you are doing these on ripped tights and not fishnets, go ahead and sew or glue your items around the holes of the tights. Do not worry about cross-sections or lines unless that's in your design.

How to attach:
-Attaching Fabric Flowers
You can sew these down or you can attempt to glue them. Gluing them takes a lot of glue and patience. Sewing is better in this case.

-Attaching Cabochons or Flatbacks
Using the E6000, glue the back of the cabochon and then place it at a cross-section. Continue going forward with other sections as this dries.

-Attaching beads
Using the needle and thread, make a knot at the end. Sew through the cross-section first and create a knot securing the thread to the fishnets. Sew a bead and then go through the tights again. Create a knot on the tights to secure the bead. You can cut off the excess here.
If you wanted to continue making a line of beads you can continue the same steps above before cutting off the excess thread.

-Attaching lace/embroidery
Make sure to have the position to lay flat against your leg. Seems difficult but really its not. Just figure out your position first.

I cannot stress this enough: TEST your tights glue elasticity. As in pull your tights a tiny bit away from your body and then release. If the cabochons or other pretty things don't fall off, test the next area. It's not necessary to repeat the same area. Make sure to test both legs to see if they'll withstand the test of durability.

If a pretty thing does come off of your tights, glue/sew it back on and wait a bit until the glue is dry.
Once both legs are "dry enough" feel free to take them off.. but honestly it took me a while not to take them off.

For storage; I like to use sandwich bags. This way they don't run the risk of getting snagged on other socks, tights, or lingerie.

Once everything is secure and dry try on your best outfit with your newly made tights! Now here comes the most important part! Take pieces and spread your glory to the world.

Congratulations! You've finished a DIY and made something that's customized to your aesthetic and design. Making only one was hard so I made two. The ideas are endless so go crazy and keep those ripped tights to make fabulous magical statements in your wardrobe.

If you liked this Instructable or the video that I made along with it on Youtube, feel free to check out my other projects on Instructables or on Youtube.

Stay Inspired, Be Creative and I will see you... in a future DIY project!