You probably already know that pediatricians recommend letting a baby go barefoot as much as possible until they start walking.  This way a young baby's feet can feel and grow as freely as possible.  But most moms want to cover their baby's feet much of the time, whether it's to keep them warm and protected or because baby shoes are SOOO cute!

Many of the baby shoes in the stores are expensive and, as you know, your baby won't get all that much use out of them.  So I'm going to show you how to make your boutique-quality soft-soled, reversible cloth baby shoes.  Once you've made your first pair, you're going to be hooked!  With elastic encircling the ankle, these shoes are easy to put on, but difficult for even the most active kickers to take off - AND these shoes are machine washable!

These baby shoes use the tiniest bits of fabric and a little elastic and, since they are reversible, you'll have TWO pairs of shoes in one.  You can let your imagination go crazy when designing them.  You can dress them up for little girls by using beautiful satins and silks or by hand or machine appliqueing something on the top. 

So here goes:

Step 1:
Either hand draw the pattern pieces shown in the photo (no artistic talent required), or copy and paste the photo into a word document and photocopy.  You'll have to enlarge the photo approximately 400% to get the sizing right, but as long as your pattern pieces measure approximately as follows, you're good to go:  Sole - 4 3/4" from top to bottom, 3" at the widest part; Toe - 3 1/4" from top to bottom and 4" along straight edge; and Heel - 2" from top to bottom and 5" along straight edge.


Cut out the pieces, two of Fabric #1 and two of Fabric #2.  If you would like a little extra stability, cut out 2 toe pieces of interfacing and affix to the back of Fabric #1.  Also cut out two pieces of elastic 4" long.  Use 1/8" to 3/8" wide elastic - anything you may have handy.


Step 2:
Next we work on the heel  Place one Fabric #1 on one Fabric #2, right sides together.  Sew along the straight edge.  (Note:  All seams are 1/4".)  Press seam open.  Fold heel piece over, wrong sides together.  Sew a seam along the straight edge a little wider than the elastic you have chosen.  This becomes the casing we will slip the elastic through in the next step.
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Step 3:
Attach a small safety pin to the edge of the elastic.  Hold your heel piece Fabric #1 side up and start to pass the elastic into the casing.  Stop just when a little bit of the elastic is still showing.  Your safety pin will still be inside the casing - that's OK - leave it there.


Step 4:
Now we are going to start assembling the shoe.  Lay Fabric #1 toe piece right side up.  Then layer on the heel piece, Fabric #1 down.  Next, place Fabric #2 toe piece right side down.


Step 5:
Start to sew a seam along the straight edge, but stop right after you have crossed the heel piece, catching the elastic and, therefore, securing it.


Step 6:
Now go to the other end of the heel piece and work the safety pin out to the end, causing the heel to gather.  Place that end of the heel piece on the other side of the shoe (using a pin to help hold everything) and finish sewing the straight seam all the way down, securing this side of the heel and completing the toe/heel portion of the shoe. 


Fold the toe pieces into place and, look, it's beginning to look like a real shoe!


Step 7:
Time to start applying the bottoms.  We are going to sandwich the completed shoe top between the two sole pieces - one of each fabric.  Place in this order:  Fabric #1 sole, right side up.  Shoe top, Fabric #1, down.  Fabric #2 sole, right side down.  Pin together, easing as best as possible.


Step 9:
Sew all around the shoe, leaving an opening of 1" for turning.  Fold back one of the sole pieces away from the opening and sew remaining pieces along seam line.  Turn your shoe right side out and slip stitch the opening closed.

Step 10:  Repeat Steps 1 - 9 again and you have a unique pair of baby shoes.  Believe me, the more pairs you make, the quicker and easier it gets.  Soon you'll be addicted to making baby shoes like I am!


P.S.  If you have any questions, send me a message and I'll help you along if I can.  Good luck!