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You Asked For It….Toddler Boot Tutorial!

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DSC_0508 Is it just me or do baby shows that claim to go from size newborn to 1 are really like 6 or more sizes apart? Even the bigger sizes don’t seem to be accurate across the board and then you’re limited to styles available. I get so tired of wasting money on shoes that are purely fashion over function so I decided it was time to come up with my own toddler boot tutorial. These cute little boots have a soft leather sole, so they’re perfect for little ones that are just learning to walk or new to walking since they can still scrunch up their toes to help with balance. I would also like to add that I’m a very relaxed sewer and I don’t usually pin or iron. =S
These boots will fit the 12-18 month age range and can easily be adapted to make smaller or larger sizes. While sewing up this pair and stopping to take some photos it took around 30 minutes start to finish for these beauties. =)

On to the toddler boot tutorial!

The great thing about these is that you have a lot of options when it comes to fabric choices. For this pair, I used a Michael Miller cotton print for the outside, a fleece solid for this warm inside, and soft white leather scraps for the sole. You’ll also need 13 inches of elastic and about 5 inches of velcro.
pattern piece template
bottom template pattern

Make sure the pieces mirror each other!

cut fabrics
tack elastic
Sew the elastic ends onto the lining main body piece using a 1/4″ seam allowance. It should be placed approximately 2 1/2″ from the bottom.
tack other end elastic
 Then you’ll want to pull the elastic tight with the fabric and use a zig zag stich to sew all the way across.
zig zag elastic
 When you release the fabric it will gather.
gathered elastic
 Separate the hook and loop velcro pieces, and stitch them onto the outer fabric pieces on the end opposite of where the cut out is. You’ll want it to be 1 inch from the top and 1 inch from the side.
add velcro to outer fabric
 The velcro will go on the lining pieces on the end with the cut out. I know it can look confusing but we will be turning and topstitching and you don’t want to put it on the wrong side like I did the very first time I made these. =S
add other velcro to lining
Line up the longer curve of the shoe top to the cut out in the main body piece. Stitch using 1/4″ allowance.
add top of shoe to body
view of toe piece on body piece
Repeat this step with the lining fabric.
Right sides together, sew the lining and outer fabric together along sides and top, NOT THE BOTTOMS!
stitch lining to outer body piece
Turn right side out and top stitch 1/8″ around top and sides.
top stitch
I missed a photo somewhere, I hope I can describe this step well. All you have to do is line up the velcros, this will cause the ends to overlap. Sew in place from 1″ below velro to bottom. Make sure to catch elastic ends at this time as well.
Here’s where I definitely had to use some pins. Carefully pin the sole piece along the bottom
pin bottom to finished body
Because the leather is soft on the wrong side, we don’t need a lining piece.
zig zag edges
Zig zag around the edges
finished boot inside out
Turn right side out & you’re done!!
right side out and you're done!
Please let me know if there are parts I need to improve or clear up. I’ve never really made a tutorial before so I’m always grateful for positive feedback.

Enjoy!

toddler boot tutorial

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Comments

  2. Thank you for sharing this on The DIY Dreamer!!!! It’s an amazing tutorial!!!

    I already follow you via Linky Followers.. however I’m now following you via Bloglovin’ too 🙂

    Reply

  11. Love these! They will definitely be going on my “things to make” pinboard. Thanks for the share.

    Reply

  23. Hey, do you have any measurments for your pattern? The pictures dont give the size, or I might have missed something. Idk how big, etc to make the cloth.

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • I was going through the responses and saw your and thought, hmm I wonder if she has measurements. I want to make some of these for my daughter. I don’t know what size to cut anything though. Can you help?

      Reply

    • Using a shoe that you already have as a pattern helps a lot – I printed out the pattern and did a rough with scraps first. If it needs to be longer then make the toe piece longer, keep the width the same though or it won’t match up. don’t forget to add seam allowance!

      Reply

    • I was going through the comments and I saw yours. You say your daughters are older and you’re gonna try the tut? Are you going to try it for them? If so, can you please tell me how you got the measurements? Thank you much.

      Reply

  29. Thank you for posting this! I am looking for a pattern for adults just like this…with a bit of tweeking, I’m sure this pattern will work. I want to surprise all our Christmas guests with a pair to wear! 😀

    Reply

  32. I tried this out and it worked great! My boy has such fat feet I had to adjust the pattern a bit and make it bigger, they are too cute and easy to do!
    I also added lining and a sheet of craft foam to the base for more padding.
    Oh and I found doing a straight stitch over the zigzag around the bottom to help b/c my zig zags looked like they might pull out a lot faster.
    Thanks for posting this tutorial!
    Karen

    Reply

  33. THANK GOODNESS FOR YOU! I’m making a costume for my toddler, and I couldn’t find boots ANYWHERE that would work. I tried drafting my own pattern, but that turned out gawd-awful (I’m not very good at drafting patterns…). This is perfect.

    Reply

  35. I made these and they turned out really small. what are the exact dimmensions of the patter. Am i missing something? thanks so much

    Reply

  37. Wanted to make boots by the tutorial you provided. Grabbed scissors, paper and rulers to make a pattern for my girl and…. Wait… NO MEASUREMENTS other than 10,5 inches! What is the point of making a tutorial if it still needs a lot of improvement??? I would pin it , yes, just to look at. But as fas as sewing is concerned, it makes no sense. Sewing directions are fine but you forgot to mention the main part- measurements of the boot parts to build a pattern.

    Reply

    • I’m so sorry you had some trouble with this. This post was written a *long* time ago and I’m actually in the process of creating this as a digital pattern to sell in the future. Anyhow, if you click the photo f the pattern I drew and print it out, your pieces should be the right size. The 10.5 inch reference should match up once you measure it. Thinking back, I really should’ve put a 1 inch test square for printing on there but I was inexperienced and it’s a long process going through all my old posts to update them and keep them fresh.

      Reply

      • These are super adorable! I’m just wondering what the length of the “bottom of boot” from toe to heel should be?

        Reply

  40. I love these Sassy Toddler Boots but I just can’t print out the pattern pieces and confused about the 10 1/2 measurement. Would love if someone could explain or tell e where to get the pattern. My Grandbabies need these!!!!!

    Reply

  42. How big is the sole piece supposed to be? I see the 10.5in for the width of the top but need to know what the other one should be. I wanted to start this project today and didn’t see that one was missing a size. Hopefully you get this and respond soon! I still need to find leather or something to use for the bottom as the baby I want to make them for is nearly walking.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  2. […] Homespun Aesthetic Toddler Boots have been great for fleece booties to wear outside in the cold. They weren’t walking yet so haven’t tested how they’d do in snow, but they kept warm! These were made with remnants of spruce green Hi-Loft Power Shield from Discovery Trekking Outfitters which I will be talking a lot about in the Coats post. […]

    Reply

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