How to Make Shoes for Dolls

Suede Leather Doll Shoe

Simple slip-on type doll shoes may be made inexpensively with fabric remnants or thin suede leather. The size of the shoes may be adjusted for all dolls, and different styles may be made from the basic design.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric or thin suede leather remnants at least one inch longer and wider than the doll's foot.
• Paper and pencil
• Lightweight cardboard
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Glue stick
• Felt tip marker
• Thin fabric for lining
• Adornments (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Create the sole pattern. Stand the doll on cardboard and draw around the foot to create a pattern for the sole of the shoe. Add 1/4 inch allowance around the entire sole. Cut out four copies of the pattern for the right and left shoes.

2. Make the top of the shoe. The top is an elongated "U" shape, approximately 1 1/2 times as long as the sole. See diagram. As an example, if the sole is 2" in length, the top should be 3" from the top of the "U" to the bottom. The widest width of the top is the length of the sole.

   Adjust the top of the shoe to size using the pattern, making an allowance of 1/4 inch around the circumference for sewing and gluing, and measuring to the length of the sole. Cut two copies using fabric or suede leather, for the right and left shoe. If using suede leather, a lining will not be necessary.

3. Assemble the shoes. Fold the top of the shoe around the doll's foot to be certain it is a good fit, then with right sides together, sew the lining and fabric together on the inside curve. Sew the back of the shoes with right sides together.

4. 

   Glue the sole to the top of the shoe. Using a glue stick, attach the top to the sole, by folding the allowance under, then gluing the sole to the shoe top. Clamp the shoe, if necessary, to set the glue firmly.

5. Allow the glue to dry then color the outer edge of the sole with either a black felt tip marker, or a marker of a matching shade.

Tips & Warnings

• Thin suede leather is the preferred fabric to make the shoes, eliminating the need for a lining. The finished shoe may be decorated with a small ribbon rose or a decorative button. Different designs may be obtained from the basic shoe, i.e., a strap may be glued across the top of the shoe to create a Mary Jane variety or ribbons may be added for a ballerina slipper.