The weather has turned for good now, I think. Call me weak but I donned my winter coat yesterday, fur-lined hood and all. I’m not complaining because the sun was shining but it’s not yet November! Brrrrrrrr!! This turn prompted me to make the seasonal switch in my wardrobe over the weekend. I’m resigned to what is coming.
I’ve said it before but I am probably the worst shopper out there. I find the whole process overwhelming and laborious. Why can’t everything I need be at one store giant store? A store with a free personal shopping attendant. In a perfect world, right? I do love perusing online but I’m slow to buy because I worry the fit won’t be right. And if the fit isn’t right the items will have to be returned which makes more work for me so why even buy it in the first place. Drama, drama, I know. If I can make it work, I beg help from my sister. She is decisive and magically knows what to get. If we can’t swing it, I have to make it up as I go and, in this instance, literally make it.
I saw the cutest pair of polka dot tights somewhere and had to have them for myself. My brown boots needed them. Solid colored tights are easy enough to find and I thought, with a little paint, polka dot gams were in my near future.
Supplies:
-tights
-paint
-paint brush (I used the end)
-cardboard
I did check out a couple brands of tights. One was very spandex-y, thus shiny which I didn’t appreciate and one pair was more sweater-y which I don’t personally like on my legs. But do check for yourself and chose what works for you.
The first thing I did was cut out long strips of cardboard, almost as long as my legs. The cardboard is to put inside the legs of the tights to keep the paint from bleeding through from the front to the back. I’m not sure such long pieces are necessary but I wanted to make the process go as quick as possible. Having the long pieces made it so I didn’t have to move the cardboard while I worked. I could do one whole side, allow it to dry and then flip it over.
Then, it was just a matter of adding dots. I felt comfortable enough to free hand these because the dots were tiny. I find it very calming to create a dot pattern, it’s so organized! I used the end of a paintbrush to make the dot. It held just enough paint, not too much or too little, and the size was just perfect. If you need more guidance with polka dots, there are so many polka dot images you can copy from and adjust for your needs.
Once the paint dried, I removed the cardboard and got my boots.
I had a moment of doubt when the paint was drying. I was worried it wouldn’t work, maybe my plans would be a disaster. Much to my delight, they turned out perfectly. And I like them more than I expected.
And don’t you love knit boot socks? I sure do. I had to DIY these too and I did it by snipping the sleeves off a sweater I had put in the donation pile. They work like a charm. Very snugly and warm. They made my boots feel all the better. I’m going to be on the look out for more thrifted sweaters for just this purpose.
Finally. Having your photo taken is very glamorous. Very glamorous until a mini van rolls by and the people inside stare quizzically in your direction.
Yeah. So glamorous.
Haha I love the pictures at the end, I would have felt silly too. I LOVE these tights! I am never stylish enough to pull things off like this. Your outfit is gorgeous, pretty lady :) xx
Thanks Toni-Maree!! I don’t consider myself stylish either so I’m certain you can pull it off. :)
This is great! What kind of paint did you use?
Thanks!! I used Martha Stewart acrylic paints.
Amazing idea!!!
xx
http://littlemisstwiggy.blogspot.com/
I love the idea and the photos … The photos are awesome!!! <3 <3 <3
Best regards from germany!
Anna
Thanks Anna! The photos were sure fun to do! And hello to Germany!
These are sooo cute!! I’m gonna have to try this!
Do it Allegra!!
Brilliant and you look gorgeous as always. Thanks for sharing such a fun idea!
Thank you so much Dana!
These are adorable, and I looooove them with your boots :)
Thanks Liz!
Wow these are gorgeous. I want to make them now! Thank you for sharing….off to buy a rainbow of tights to polka dot! Becky x
http://www.lovelybettycornwall.blogspot.co.uk/
Rainbow tights would be amazing, Rebecca! Have fun!
This is adorable! They look so much fun to wear ;)
http://cafecraftea.blogspot.com
Thanks Vanessa! They are very fun!
Such a fun idea, I have some gold fabric paint I think would be perfect for this!
Have fun! Gold would be lovely!!
You are a genius, I would never think to do something like this. I definitely want to challenge my self to do this. I am new to all of this DIY, I’ve had some fails and wins but I enjoy doing them. Thank you for sharing it’s so nice to have people in this world like you sharing there creative, unique, amazing crafts.
Girl – you rocked these tights! Love them!
Thank you Audrey! They are fun to wear!
What a great idea and, as usual, beautiful photos! Of course, the fact that you are drop-dead gorgeous can’t hurt one bit :)
….blushing…. :) Thank you so much Stephanie!
Polka dots are my current fad. I have polka dot purses and bracelets and this is a great idea that I will be making this week. Thanks for the awesome idea!
I have loved polka dots always and forever …they never (!) go out of style
I’m going to make these for Christmas gifts
Thanks !
Perfect!! I recently bought a pair of black polka dot tights and they only lasted one wear. This’ll be much cheaper!
So pretty!
Another tip: use nail polish instead of regular paint.
I always dab clear nail polish on runs and holes in my tights when they appear so they don’t get worse. The nail polish holds up to many, many washes.
So if you don’t have acrylic paint handy, bust out a fun bottle of nail polish and get started!
Such a great idea, Amy! What brand tights did you use? I always have that issue of buying spandex-y tights that shine even though I have bought many different brands. And the ones you use look great.
So cool! Pinned:) New follow to your social media too!
Love Polka Dots….thanks, I love this
I love your tights. And the pictures in the end. I always feel funny too when I get many picture taken in public. One is ok but so many? People always wonder…
What kind of paint did you use? Fabric paint?
Amy, do you hand wash them? How do they hold up with washing?
I haven’t washed mine yet Jocelyn but I think hand-washing them works. I’m not so worried about the paint part but the tights themselves. :)
What kind of paint is this? I want to try…did the paint come off? pls rsvp
Hey Jen! I used acrylic paint though fabric paint works too. And the paint stays, for sure.
Did you ever end up washing these tights? Haha I’m just wondering because it’d seem like a complete waste to make all those pretty little dots and have the paint bleed (or ever come off) the tights xD :(
I haven’t yet but I would recommend hand washing them, for the sake of the tights. Acrylic paint (the stuff I used) is permanent and will stay put. It won’t bleed or come off.
Super smart! I can’t wait to try this ;)
They’re great. I really love Polka dots so i’m going to try it!
best regards from Germany ♥
Hello to Germany! Thanks!
I love this idea ! It’s so cool ! :) I’m going to share your post in my french blog !
OMG! It’s 2019 and those tights are still so adorable!