Fleece Lined Baby Shoes

If you've got a little one in the family (or one on the way!) these cute Mary Jane style shoes will prove a hit with both kids and their mums – make them from any soft, snuggly fabric and keep little toes cosy this winter. Team washable fleece (or felt) with bright cottons to ensure a comfortable feel that will stay soft on even the most sensitive skins.

Essentials

Fabric: fleece, 25cm x 147cm; coordinating cotton print, 25cm x 112cm
Velcro: anti-snag, white, small piece
Buttons: optional, decorative

Dimensions List

11cm long (children's shoe size 1-2)
Please note: seam allowance is 5mm throughout

Make a pair of baby shoes

Locate the templates within the Sew Pull-Out Workbook. Use them to cut two slipper top pieces from both fleece and cotton. Cut two slipper base pieces from the fleece and four strap pieces from the cotton. Place the two pairs of straps right sides together and work a straight machine stitch along both long edges and around the curve, leaving the short straight edge open to turn out and press. Repeat for the second strap.
Place the cotton slipper top pieces right sides together with the corresponding fleece slipper top pieces and pin into place. Slide the pressed straps between the layers so that the open end sits on the seam line of the inside of the shape, close to the ankle edge. Ensure the two straps mirror each other so that you don’t end up with two left feet.
Tack and then machine stitch around all of the inner seams of the slipper tops. Open out and fold the fabric so the back seams lay right sides together. Work a machine stitch around the full length of the back seam, on both fabrics. Fold the cotton material over the fleece, with right side facing outwards. The strap on each slipper should stick out from opposite sides.
Pin and machine stitch over the inner seam, 3mm from the edge, to neaten and keep the layers secure. Fold over the ankle edge at the back of each slipper and hold in place with a couple of small hand stitches. Tack the bottom edges of the slipper tops together to hold the layers in place.
Turn the slipper tops inside out (right sides facing) and pin the backs and sides of the base pieces to the tops, leaving the front sections unpinned – this will allow you to adjust the fit later. Ensure that the insteps of the bases are on the same side as the straps.
Machine stitch halfway around the pinned base, and check the fit of the remaining material against the size of the base, gathering up the fabric around the toe area with a running hand stitch before securing to the base with a straight machine stitch.
Trim along the seam and oversew if necessary to neaten, before turning right side out. Cut two narrow strips of anti-snag Velcro and stitch to the ends of the straps, so that they run parallel to the long edges. Cut two small squares of corresponding Velcro and sew below the ankle edge on the opposite side of each slipper. This will allow the tightness of the strap to be adjusted.