Cloth Baby Shoe Tutorial

thatssewnina.blogspot.com

Step 1: Size and print the pattern

Size the pattern pieces to the shoe size you need. The pattern on my
blog is for a 6-12 month/size-4 baby shoe. For additional sizes, note the
size chart on my original blog post. Cut the pattern pieces out.

Step 2: Cut fabric & iron interfacing

 
 

Trace the pattern pieces on your fabric and cut out. You will need four
of each interfacing and two of each fabric (be sure to flip the shoe
pattern to create a left and right shoe). Iron the interfacing to the
wrong side of each piece of fabric. This will stiffen and stabilize the
fabric.
  

 
 Step 3: Prepare soles

Prepare the soles of the shoes by stacking the outer fabric and inside
fabric wrong sides together so that the right sides are facing out. Use a
long (basting) stitch to secure the pieces together. Use the smallest
seam allowance you feel comfortable with (inside of presser foot for me). This
will be hidden later so don’t worry about perfection here.

Step 4: Prepare the uppers  

   

To make the upper part of the shoe, line up the uppers right sides
together and stitch along the long edge. Fold the pieces back along
the seam so that the wrong sides are together and the right sides are
facing out. Press the seam with a hot iron. Stitch a finishing seam on the
outside along the long edge to secure the fold. Repeat for 2nd shoe.
 Step 5: Prepare the heel

   

To prepare the heel, line up the heel right sides together and stitch along
the top edge. Press the seam open with a hot iron. Fold in the sides ¼”
and press. Secure the sides by sewing along the edge with a small seam
allowance (1/8”). Fold the pieces together along the seam so that the
wrong sides are together and the right sides facing out. Press the fold.

Step 6: Insert elastic

   

Cut a piece of 1/8” or 1/4” elastic about 8” long. Open the fold of the
heel and slide the elastic into the fold. Sew a finishing seam along the
top edge to create a casing for the elastic (about 1/4” or more
depending on the size of your elastic). Repeat steps 5& 6 for 2nd shoe.
 Step 7a: Assemble the shoe, upper

   
If you haven’t already, mark the “midpoint” on the front and back of
the sole and the wrong side of the uppers and heels. Line up the
midpoints of the upper and toe of the sole. Pin with right sides together.
Starting at the midpoint, stitch one side--toe to side of shoe, working the
fabric as you go to line up the edges. Flip, and starting from the
midpoint, stitch the rest of the upper and sole together. Be sure to
backstitch at the end of each seam. Repeat for 2nd shoe. (Don’t stress if this
doesn’t go well. It took me a few tries to get it right the first time. Remember, the seam ripper is
your friend!)

Step 7b: Assemble the shoe, heel

   
Line up the midpoint of the heel and the back of the sole. Pin with right
sides together. Starting at the midpoint, stitch one side of the seam.
Keep working the fabric to keep the edges lined up. Flip, and again
starting from the midpoint, stitch the rest of the heel and sole together.
Be sure to backstitch at the end of each seam. Repeat for 2nd shoe.
(Stitch very slowly and watch for when the heel, upper and sole all connect on the sides of the
shoe. The fabric will be THICK and your machine may not like it!)
 Step 8: Prepare the elastic casing

   

If you haven’t already, mark the inside of the upper to finish the casing
for the elastic. Basically mark two 1/2 “ lines a half-inch apart at the
center of the upper below the finishing seam. Use a seam ripper to
open the two lines.

Step 9: Run elastic through

 
Pull one side of the elastic through the two holes. I use tweezers for this
but if you have a small safety pin or even a fat headed pin, you could
use those too. Whatever you have around!
 Step 10: Connect the elastic

   

Stretch the elastic to make sure your fabric is bunching some along the
heel and the elastic isn’t too loose. Tie a secure knot* connecting the
two sides of the elastic. Clip the excess elastic and push the knot into
the elastic casing along the heel. Repeat steps 8-10 for 2nd shoe. (*Yes,
you could also stitch the elastic together with a needle and thread but I’ve found that tying a
knot is just as secure and, frankly, easier.)

Step 11: Trim and turn right sides out!

   

Makes sure that all of the seams around the sole are secure. (You may
want to turn the shoe right side out and press your finger along the seams to check this.) With
wrong sides out, trim the seams along the sole and clip any excess
threads. You can rip out the basting stitch from step 3 around the sole if
needed. Turn the shoes right sides out and celebrate! You did it!