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| Soft soled leather shoe instructions |
Cut out your elastic hole cover (not on pattern) this will be a flower, circle, stripe etc about 1" square to
cover the slits where the elastic would show. For a stripe, just trace the toe pattern again on the contrasting
color and cut about 3/4" to 1" deep.
Cut elastic to the length of your elastic casing pattern. If using a thick leather, or if you elastic is very
stretchy (they all vary), cut 1/2" less than your casing. I use stretchrite 1/4" elastic and cut it 1/2" short.
Cut 2
Cut 2 small slits in the center top of toe portion. These should be about 3/8" apart and 3/8" down from the edge
of the side that will go across the bridge of the foot. Thread one end of your elastic up from the wrong side,
then back down through the other hole. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic (small pin)
Sew elastic casing to upper part of heel piece, leaving short ends open and backtacking all ends. Sew close to the
edge, as you will have to pass a small safely pin through there.
Sew your decorative stripe, flower, applique, etc over the place where your elastic shows. BE SURE to not sew
ON your elastic...move the ends around as you sew around the hole.
Thread the safety pin from your toe portion through the elastic casing, keeping it threaded through the toe part
as well. You will have to hold one end and gather as much slack as you can, gathering an inch or more on both
ends of the elastic. I sew them together with about an inch tail, but you can do less than this if you want them
looser on the ankle. Then I trim to just beyond my stitching, then thread that thick part into the elastic casing
and scoot the elastic around so that the bump is near the back.
Sew you toe/heel (now attached via elastic) to the bottom piece. 1/8 " seam allowance. You can use a 1/4" S.A.
for a slightly smaller shoe. Sew right sides together. Heel portion should overlap OVER the toe portion about
1/2" when you sew it on. This will make the toe portion be on top once you turn. Reinforce the stitches all around,
sewing just next to (outside of) your first stitches. No need for these to be neat, and are not absolutely needed.
Turn and smile :)