Handmade leather shoes - Page 2

[CJ 5]

I went to Tandy leather and got a ton of scraps ( I mean a ton enough for 20 shoes or more) for 10 dollars. The only problem I had in sewing them is that my pfaff sewing machine that normally will sew anything had a hard time with the part where the flaps overlap. If I make more I am going to have to sew that part by hand. Other than that I had great results. I will try to find the link to the instructions I used. I actually made my own pattern from one of my daughters shoes.

[slestudillo]

CJ 5,

Did you try using leather needles? I have the pattern I bought from Misty and will hopefully start making some this week. I have leather needles and thought that would avoid any jamming problems. Just wondering now after I read your post if that will be the case or not.

[monkeys4mama]

Originally Posted by CJ 5

I went to Tandy leather and got a ton of scraps ( I mean a ton enough for 20 shoes or more) for 10 dollars. The only problem I had in sewing them is that my pfaff sewing machine that normally will sew anything had a hard time with the part where the flaps overlap. If I make more I am going to have to sew that part by hand. Other than that I had great results. I will try to find the link to the instructions I used. I actually made my own pattern from one of my daughters shoes.

That's an awesome deal on leather scraps. I wish we had Tandy leather, but I'm in the boonies and the mall in the nearest town doesn't have anything like that.

About stitching the sides where the seams overlap, I found that if I turned the handwheel by hand rather than using the machine footpedal when I was stitching over the tough spots, it worked a lot better. I do the same thing (turn handwheel) when I'm sewing detailed appliques on too. Then you can adjust the position stitch by stitch and even the tiniest curves come out smooth. I have an old workhorse mechanical machine and it can sew through anything, but even on that, I thought it sounded like the engine was straining when I sewed the side layers. I did use a leather needle too. They only come in one size though (at least where I shop, maybe someplace else carries multiple sizes). I would have liked an even heavier one.

As for patterns, the CT one has sizes from newborn to toddler size 12 or 13, so for the coop price $12.75, it's a good deal and they really do look nice. I need to make more of these and put pics up.

Has anyone sewn leather shoes with a lining in the sole for winter? I am considering trying this but wasn't sure what the best lining material would be. Would felted wool work?

[curly_mommy]

Originally Posted by slestudillo

Her website is http://makethemyourself.com/shoe.html I think she sells is for $5 for one size pattern plus applique patterns. I bought her shopping cart cover and made 3 beautiful covers already. Its a very homemade pattern (drawn by hand) but her pictures with step by step instructions really help you. I had never sewn anything but a sock monkey before

She gives you tips on where to get leather in her instructions too.

I just went to this site - wow!

[slestudillo]

I know cool site she has huh! If you check out the gallery, she posted pictures of the shopping cart covers I've made with her pattern I'm so proud of those and I have to thank her for making a sewer out of me. Mines are the light blue with hibiscus flowers and the hello kitty covers!

http://makethemyourself.com/customergallery.html

[merihannon]

Earthguild in asheville,nc has leather scraps galore.They have a website,sorry I dont know how to attach it.I was given a pair of Robeez and very easily traced the pattern by laying pieces of muslin over each section and chalk rubbing,just like you would a garment.Made a little brown pair for my dd-so cute.I lined them with thin fleece and used the rubber dotted fabric for the soles.

[jillybeans]

made my first pair with the pattern from this site:
http://www.sweetandviciousdesigns.co...apatterns.html

The pattern is under free for download, and the directions are down lower on the page. I've also made the changing pad cover.

I made them w/ corduroy(had to hem the ends) and fleece inner. I wanted more of a slipper. They turned out great, although I will be adding some length to the heel section, it was too short.

[rixafreeze]

A good source for soft shoe leather is www.hidehouse.com. They have a great selection of deerskin and calfskin, which are both the right weights for baby leather shoes. If you click on their "specials," you can get some even better prices.

Just a note--you will pay 15% more than the listed price unless you are a licensed retailer. The prices are still fantastic though.

[monkeys4mama]

Update on shoe sewing and leather sources.

I ordered some scraps from this person on Ebay and they are pretty good colors and weights of leather, mostly darker upholstery type colors but that works fine for my boy. A few pieces were kindof heavy or stiff for shoes, but maybe they will work for the shoe soles? The seller is "bobkitchener" and the prices seemed pretty good. I also saw on another mailing list that the Chloe Toes Boutique is now selling leather by the pound. You don't get to pick exact colors there either, but you can choose lighter shades or darker shades or neutrals which is nice. I think I would like to get assorted lighter shades since mostly I got darks from Ebay. I have not bought from there at all, so I can't speak for quality or colors (presumably the weight would be right for baby shoes though since they sell them for that purpose).

I also bought a box of 5lbs of scraps from another Ebay seller which looked really good b/c they had tons of pretty colors like pinks and light blues and stuff. Only the scraps turned out to be so small that mostly they are no good for shoes. At least not whole shoes. I don't consider it a total loss b/c I can still use them for the trim parts and appliques on the shoes. Has anyone else found other sources yet?

Since I've now got all these small pieces of colored leather, it leads me to ask, has anyone ever used a Sizzix Sidekick machine for leather, to punch out shapes for appliques? I read of someone using the Sizzix machine but it doesn't look like it would be able to cut through leather. At least not the one I have which is the smaller type Sizzix machine (a lot cheaper than the original one). Anybody try this w/ any success? I don't want to break the machine.

Thanks.

[SuzymomofLaura]

Here's some more free shoe patterns

http://oldschoolacres.typepad.com/ol...es_and__1.html
Although most of them are baby-size

[triciarn]

Another pattern I didn't see listed!

Tricia

[monkeys4mama]

Originally Posted by triciarn

Another pattern I didn't see listed!

Tricia

I love the suggestion she has here for using "bonded fleece" for the sole. I didn't know what she meant by that, but she describes it as like suede on one side and fleece on the other. I'm thinking like a "shearling". Doesn't that sound perfect for winter shoes? I keep thinking of how to line winter shoes from leather. This would be a good alternative.

[triciarn]

Originally Posted by monkeys4mama

I love the suggestion she has here for using "bonded fleece" for the sole. I didn't know what she meant by that, but she describes it as like suede on one side and fleece on the other. I'm thinking like a "shearling". Doesn't that sound perfect for winter shoes? I keep thinking of how to line winter shoes from leather. This would be a good alternative.

I went and checked the bonded fleece out at Joanns. It was expensive--- $19.99/yard. A little steep for me. I think it would work great but I just couldn't talk myself into it. If you look at her entire blog she posted a set of loafers and bomber hat made out of the bonded fleece. SOOO Cute!!!

Tricia

[SuzymomofLaura]

fancy toddler shoes

Those Stardust shoes look wonderful! I think I'll have to try out that pattern for my little one right away!
Here's a tutorial for something more girlish:
http://babypatterns.atspace.com/tutorial1.html
I've never tried leather to make these in leather, but I suppose it can be done. Not suitable for a wintry day I think

[ohelene]

Originally Posted by Erinok

Has anyone ever tried embroidering the leather (machine embroidery) to make these shoes? Is it even possible?

I have done machine embroidery on very many of the pairs I have made. Like the latest one in my blog
http://ohelene.net/weblog062/erica.jpg

I have put my pattern out for free in pdf-files: http://www.ohelene.net/blog/?p=58 (Scroll down for the English version). The direcctions includes advice when sewing on leather. (I've made shoes mainly in leather and fur som far.)

I have bought leather from hobbysuppliers and lately from a leather grossist (is that the right name?) I have alsom bought from denverfabrics.com - but then you'd need to buy whole hides - not neccecary if you only want to make a pair or two. An old leather jacket or skirt could also be used for shoes.

[monkeys4mama]

Cute shoes ohelene! I have not done actual machine embroidery on shoes (no embroidery machine) but my machine has several different deco stitches like waves and flowers and vines and stuff. I use those all the time. I think the jeanstitch variegated thread makes really cute designs.

[monkeys4mama]

Originally Posted by triciarn

I went and checked the bonded fleece out at Joanns. It was expensive--- $19.99/yard. A little steep for me. I think it would work great but I just couldn't talk myself into it. If you look at her entire blog she posted a set of loafers and bomber hat made out of the bonded fleece. SOOO Cute!!!

Tricia

Yow. That IS expensive. I guess you could wait and use one of their coupons. We don't have a JAF here, but don't they have 50% off coupons fairly often? You could make a lot of shoes with only a half yard or even a quarter yard.