My Foray into Footwear...Yes, I Made Shoes!

If you have read my blog before, then you know that I love all things vintage, especially relating to sewing and babies. I have a strong interest in historical reenactments, but I have never participated in one. It is something I'd like to try someday. I'd also like to take an old-fashioned photo of my 2 youngest boys in historically accurate Edwardian outfits. I'm still working on the 1919 romper for Andy and I have looked at the high button shoes on ebay to go with it. They are very expensive and are often quite worn out. You have to pay over $100 to get really nice ones. So, I thought, I could make him some leather baby shoes. You can find directions for almost anything on the internet, but apparently, there aren't a lot of people making their own shoes! Undaunted, I read my Make Doll Shoes book by Lyn Alexander. She gives excellent directions and has several patterns for doll shoes. I started with a simple button-bar baby shoe pattern from flickr. I had to enlarge it quite a bit for Andy's size 7 foot. I printed the patterns several times and compared the sole to Andy's foot. When it was right, I printed the two pieces and assembled a shoe from paper to be sure they would fit together. I cut up a leather jacket from a yard sale ($1) for my material. (My first attempt a few weeks ago was unsuccessful due to the fact that the "leather" yard sale purse was not leather!) You have to use real leather because it stretches and molds to the foot. I bought a scrap bag of thicker leather pieces at Hobby Lobby to use for the soles.

After I cut out the upper, I machine stitched around the edges for added strength, then I seamed the back and stitched it open flat. I also ran gathering threads around the toe to give it a better shape. You might think that the soles were stitched on, but I followed the method from the Doll's Shoe book and glued the upper to a leather inner sole, then when it was dry, I glued the outer sole to the inner sole. 

 You can see that I still need to add the button to the ankle strap. I am amazed how much these look like little 19th century shoes! I will take pictures of them on Andy when he gets up from his nap and post them tomorrow. This was a really fun project and each shoe only took about 1/2 hour to make. I would like to enlarge the doll pattern for high button boots and make those next. What is the craziest craft project you have ever tried??

1939 Button on Suit

 I was thrilled to buy a "lot" of vintage boy's clothing last week. It has 2 rompers, 1 button on suit, 1 dress, 1 bib, 1 silk Christening robe and hat, 1 pair of tiny shoes, and 2 white big boy's suits: 1 with shorts and 1 with pants. I bought all of these for only $13! I will share them with you over the next few weeks. 
First up is my favorite from the bunch, a little button on suit in white and aqua. Most of these garments have a "Handmade in Madeira" tag inside. They don't have size tags, but I'm guessing this suit is a size 1, because it barely fit on Andy. It looks good, but I was afraid the crotch would rip if he bent over.

I had a time just getting it on, because it has 16 buttons! Not to mention the time it took to iron. I know I say it all the time, but when did the Mommies of yesteryear have time to do all the housework required of them??

 The trim on the collar is beautiful. It seems like an embroidered Swiss edging with tiny pleats gathering it. I love the aqua edge; it's fancy, but still boyish. I wish this type of trim were still available.

The little tab is embroidered with a horseshoe and 2 horses. The button on pants are not lined, but have a facing at the waist and a hem at the legs. I think this is such a sweet outfit and it looks so precious on Andy!

Naptime 1940s Style

Naps (like youth) are wasted on the young. At my age, I really appreciate a good nap. It gives me energy to get through the day and still feel like doing things after dinner. My little Andy resists naps, but he is so cuddly and warm when he finally gives in. Here are 2 patterns from the 1940s that I think are just adorable!

This is what the well-dressed toddler wore to bed in 1944. I think these are the sweetest little jammies. I'm a real sucker for those little footed pants. Don't you love the embroidery? I always marvel how women in the "old days" found time to do such exquisite work with all the household demands of the time.

 Baby's favorite toy might have been made from this pattern. I'm not usually a fan of stuffed animals, but these are hard to resist. I like how they are positioned as if they are sleeping. I'd like to make one of these in a soft velour or cute 30s print.
I have some special vintage garments I want to show you, so come back soon.
I've had a lot of interest in the clothespin bag pattern: it's not to late to request yours!