How to Make Pro Doll Shoes
The secret to making professional doll shoes is in how you prepare for the project. Though they may seem like a small item, the doll shoe can ruin the look of a doll if they are not properly made. The time investment in preparing to make the shoe is reduced by the number of shoes you will make because the same materials can be reused many times. The outcome will be quality professional doll shoes.
Things You'll Need
- 2 colors of plastic clay
- Measuring tape
- Toaster oven
- Craft knife
- Sandpaper
- Pencil
- Paper
- Glue stick
- Pins
- Cloth
- Needle
- Thread
- Tape
Instructions
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Make the Shoe Last
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1
Knead a small ball of plastic clay until it is softened. The size of the ball will depend on the size of the shoe you wish to make. The shoe last is a stiff form to build your doll's shoes on.
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2
Shape the plastic ball into a dolls foot. Measure the lasts to make sure they are the same size. Form the shape of the last up the ankle.
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3
Bake the clay in a toaster oven according to clay packaging instructions. Compare the cooled lasts to the doll's feet. Remove any bumps with a craft knife.
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4
Use a second color of clay to add length and shape to the toe; to the bottom to make a flat sole; to the heel to make a curve. Bake, cool, and smooth with sandpaper.
Make the Shoe
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5
Outline the sole on a piece of paper. Trim this pattern until the paper sole fits exactly to the last's sole. Cut 2 patterns. Stick 1 paper sole to the last with the glue stick.
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6
Cut a piece of paper in a half-circle for the heel reinforcement and another in the shape of the toe. Adjust these patterns to the last until they are the right size and shape to cover their area and go under the shoe 1/8-inch.
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7
Cut a rectangle fabric the length of the foot. Make a slit down the center, from the back 3/4 the distance toward the front. Place over the last. Pin in the back.
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8
Pin to the paper sole. Draw the shape of the shoe last around the top. Draw a line around the bottom where the upper meets the sole. Remove the pins. Cut the pattern out leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance.
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9
Cut 2 shoes from cloth and linings. Place right sides together. Sew linings to cloth along the ankle area. Sew the back seam. Trim and clip the curve.
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10
Tape the upper on the last. Raise the outer fabric up. Apply glue to the paper sole, stick the lining to the sole, clip curves.
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11
Add the toe and heel reinforcements by applying a thin coat of glue and position. Glue the outer fabric to the sole.
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12
Shape heels from polymer clay. Glue heel on the shoe. Trace a paper sole pattern onto fabric to make the outer sole. Glue in place. Remove the shoes.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Clipping curves will make your shoes neater and more professional.
Use glue sparingly.
