I went Christmas light–crazy this year and decided to take it one step further: I wrapped myself in lights. These Christmas light leggings are a playful, wearable twist on holiday pajamas — comfortable enough to lounge in but festive enough to wear all day on December 25th. Below is a clear, step-by-step tutorial for making your own pair using a cutting machine and heat-transfer vinyl.
Supplies you’ll need:
– White or light-colored leggings
– Cutting machine (Cricut Explore was used here)
– Assorted colors of iron-on (heat-transfer) vinyl — I used red, pink, green, yellow and black
– Black fabric marker
– Iron
– Tea towel or scrap fabric to protect vinyl while pressing
Instructions:
1. Open the project in your cutting machine’s design software and cut the bulb shapes and bulb toppers from the iron-on vinyl following the software’s directions.
2. Weed away excess vinyl so only the bulb shapes remain on their liners. Arrange the bulbs along the front of the leggings where you want them. Cover with a tea towel or scrap fabric and press with an iron according to the vinyl manufacturer’s heat and time recommendations. Work in small sections so the fabric stays smooth. Repeat on the back of the leggings if desired.
3. Position the black topper pieces over each bulb (leave their liners on) and press again following the vinyl instructions to secure the layered pieces.
4. Once all vinyl pieces are set and cooled, use a black fabric marker to draw the cord connecting the bulbs, wrapping it up and around each leg as you like. Allow the marker ink to dry completely before wearing.
All photos by Studio DIY
These leggings make a fun addition to holiday pajamas, a quirky outfit for a Christmas party, or just a silly way to brighten a chilly winter day. They’re simple to personalize — change the bulb colors, place them asymmetrically, or add more strands for extra sparkle.
Thanks to Morgan for spotting and photographing while I balanced props for the shots. If you use a cutting machine, the same file can speed up other holiday projects like coordinating balloon garlands.
This post was created in partnership with Cricut. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep the Studio DIY party going.