Pirate boots are such an integral part of a Pirate costume that I really wanted my son to have some boots, but I was not willing out to shell out the cash to actually buy some boots. I came up the idea to make him some boots out of felt that would just attach over his shoes and pants. They may not be as great as the real thing, but I think they look pretty darn good especially considering how much cheaper they are.
They have a strip of elastic on the bottom that slips around the bottom of the shoes...
And they velcro in the back around the legs and back of the shoe.
Here is how to make them.
Felt Boot Shoe Cover Tutorial
To see the vest and shirt tutorial
click here
To see the belt tutorial-scroll down
Materials:
Pattern Pieces (Click to download)
Brown Felt (about 1/2 yrd of 72" width)
Velcro (about 6 1"squares)
Bias tape (about 10" of 7/8" wide double quilt binding leftover from vest)
Elastic (2 4" pieces of 5/8" non-roll elastic)
Thread
Download and print off the pattern piece and measure and cut the two 12"x11.5" rectangles with 6 7/8" wide by 1.5" high half circles cut out as shown on the pattern piece. Cut 2 of the top of shoe part (the pattern piece) out of felt as well.
For the purposes of this tutorial, I am only showing one shoe, but you will do the same for both.
Place the shoe top on top of the rectangle piece and line up the curved edges. Pin and sew together.
It should look like this when sewn.
Using a basting stitch, sew about 5/8 inch from the edge along the upper curved edge.
Pin the back around the shoe that will be worn with the "boots" and then pull on the basting threads to gather the curved edge along the bottom edge of the shoe.
Fold the raw under and pin in place. Remove the shoe and safety pin and then sew gathers in place using a normal stitch length.
It should look something like this.
Try it on the shoe again, and if it is like mine, it is still a little loose.
I flipped it over so the sole of the shoe was down, then pulled the excess to make two pleats on the front.
Pin and sew in place along previous stitch line, it should look little like this.
On the top edge of the boot, Fold over about 1/4" and sew down as shown.
Fold this edge down again, about 3 1/2" and sew down the side (not along the whole bottom edge)
Just down the 3 1/2 inches that you folded on both sides.
On the bottom of the "boot" sew in the elastic (you may want to put the shoe in again to make sure that you make it tight enough) using a zig zag stitch and go back and forth a few times to reinforce it.
Using leftover bias tape from the vest. sew a strip about 5 inches long with the edge folded under over the top of the boot to make it look like a gold strap or buckle.
Finally, add velcro to back so it can be strapped around the foot and leg. Originally I only had two pieces of velcro as shown, but after trying it on my son, I noticed the middle pulled apart too much, so I added another piece of velcro to the middle.
And your done!
To make the belt, take a piece of black felt about 8 inches wide and 26" wide (measure your son's waist and add 3-4 inches). Fold it in half and sew along the long side. Turn out and then sew up the back sides (I just sewed the raw edges shut without folding them under, but you can fold them under if you desire) Add a couple pieces of velcro and then you are done! For mine, I added a strip of velcro on one side so I can fit him as he grows and fit friends if they want to wear it too.
You put it all together with fun cardboard sword and red bandana and you've got a very cute, fun, affordable costume!
