How to Make Ballet Slippers for Adults

You can cut costs by making your own ballet slippers.

With the cost of leotards, tights, tutus, duffel bags, training classes and other necessities, ballet can easily become an expensive sport. In order to cut corners, it's possible to make your own ballet slippers from the comfort of your own home. Although professional ballet shoes are ideal for adults during performances, homemade ballet slippers are fitting for practices, dancing at home or for a costume event. The only requirements are a bit of sewing skills accompanied with the right fabrics and materials.

Things You'll Need

• One 12-by-12-inch square of medium-weight leather
• Measuring tape
• Leather cutting scissors
• Fabric chalk
• One 12-by-24-inch square of cloth fabric
• Elastic
• Thread
• Needle

Instructions

1. Put two pieces of medium-weight leather on the floor. Place one foot on the first piece of leather and trace the outline of your foot. Place the other foot on the second piece of the leather, and trace your second foot. Leave approximately 1/4 inch of extra room on both leather pieces around the toe and heel areas. Cut the soles out of the leather and keep the patterns of the soles in an oval shape.

2. Place a piece of fabric over the top of your feet and trace the outline, measuring an extra 2 to 3 inches in the toe areas for sewing purposes. Keep the same oval shape as you made for the soles and leave an extra inch around the width of the fabric so that it accommodates the width of your feet while moving. Leave an extra 1/4 inch if you have wide feet. Adjust the pattern according to the width of your feet.

3. Make the foot holes by draping the same piece of fabric over both feet, letting it hang with at least a 1/4 inch of fabric dangling below your feet. Start by measuring the circumference of your ankle, staying as close as possible to your heel and the top of your foot. Add 1 1/2 inch to your measurement, and then cut out the holes. Cut the fabric off the top portions of the slippers first and carefully cut out the foot holes.

4. Measure two pieces of elastic going by your foot hole measurements. Cut the elastic according to the measurements, and then cut off an additional inch on each piece of elastic. Sew the ends of one piece of elastic together creating a circle. Sew the ends of the other piece of elastic in the same fashion. Sew the elastic circles into the top part of each foot hole.

5. Align the sole and the top of the ballet slipper and sew them together. Use a thick needle that will be able to penetrate the leather. Start sewing at the toe of each slipper, working your way towards the back until you have completely sewn the top and bottom together. Repeat the process for the next slipper.