making infant shoes?

[OneTrickPony]

has anyone made shoes for their babe? I'm thinking it might be possible to make soft (felt or suede or soft leather) shoes for my daughter as a craft project, if I had some directions or advice.

Has anyone tried this? If so, care to share your tips with us?

[fooly cat]

Here is one :-)

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jh...3&catid=cat249

[MamaMae]

I've made a few, they're all knit, so sorry if you're not a knitter, I guess this won't help!

There's a pattern for a baby slipper/shoe with a leather sole in the book, The Children's Year: Crafts and Clothes for Parents and Children to Make, by Stephanie Cooper. It's an excellent book to have anyway...but maybe you could get it from your library and just copy that pattern?

I've also made a pattern by Fiber Trends for slipper/clogs, and sewed the suede bottoms on. I really liked this pattern--it's knit and then felted. Here's a link to the pattern picture: http://www.fibertrends.com/viewer/V6_baby.html
You're local yarn store would probably carry these patterns.

For free patterns (the best, of course!), go to http://knitting.about.com/library/blkidssockspic.htm
for a list of a few patterns for socks/booties for kids.

Good luck, let us know what you end up doing!

[saganaga]

I found felt ones

in this book: _The Felt Book - Easy-to-make projects for all ages_ by Clare Beaton. They're called baby's slippers, they give templates, and show 3 different variations.

[sagemama]

going to try to make a pattern

My hubby just gave me an old leather jacket that I am going to try to make a pair of robeez knock-offs with. it seems a simple enough design, I just have to actually get the gumption together to cut into the leather. I'm sure they could be made of something else too.... for non- leather people.
I will post again as soon as I try it.

Warmly,
Jolene

[Clarity]

I have celtic sandal patterns from a newsletter called Early Period for living hisoty folks. I would take cheap fabric, (or even dispoable wipes) and start experimenting. First try a "bag" style that gathers on top...then try one in three pieces...sole, left and right. Stitch side to sole and "turn" so sticking is inside, then stich up the back seam. It isn't super hard. Use waxed thread used for leather sewing, and thin leather. Pre-punch holes (there's tools) or use an awl. Some machines can sew leather. I would search online starting with celtic sandal pattern or celtic shoe pattern, or viking shoe, or medieval shoe and see what you find. I am SO not crafty, and I managed wearable shoes for me.