Get more details about this project
What you need
1/4 yard (23cm)of wool felt
1/4 yard (23cm) of Heat N Bond fusible webbing
2 feet (60cms)of ribbon for shoe laces
2″ (5 cm) square of pink felt
2″ (5 cm) square of dark purple
1″ (2.5cm) square of light pink
6 strands of embroidery floss
1 water-soluble marker
Instructions
Print the following pattern
You can increase or decrease the size of this pattern using your printer or a photocopiers for smaller or larger shoes. Measure your child’s foot from front to back on the main piece for correct sizing.
There are baby shoes, and then there are the tiny handmade baby shoes that make every crafter in the room let out that little “ohhh” noise. These felt Matryoshka doll baby shoes definitely fall into the second category. They are soft, colourful, and just the right amount of nostalgic, with a sweet little folk-doll detail on the front.
This felt baby shoe pattern is a lovely sewing project for using up small pieces of felt, ribbon, trims, and fabric scraps. If you are anything like me, you probably have a little bag of “too pretty to throw away” pieces somewhere in your craft room. This is exactly the sort of project that justifies keeping them. See? We were not hoarding — we were preparing.
The Matryoshka doll design gives the shoes a charming handmade look, and you can customise the colours to suit a baby shower theme, nursery colour palette, or whatever felt you happen to have on hand. Purple and gingham look adorable, but soft pink, red, mustard, teal, navy, or even a woodland-style brown and cream version would be just as sweet.
To make the shoes, begin by printing and cutting out the baby shoe pattern pieces. Make sure your pattern prints at the correct size before cutting into your felt. Tiny baby shoes are cute, but accidentally tiny baby shoes are just doll accessories with extra steps.
Cut the shoe pieces from felt. Felt is a great material for this type of baby shoe because it does not fray, holds its shape nicely, and is easy to stitch by hand or machine. Wool-blend felt will usually give a nicer finish than very thin craft felt, especially if you want the shoes to hold their shape. Felt is a non-woven fabric made by matting fibres together, which is why it behaves so nicely for small stitched projects and raw-edge details.
Cut the lining pieces if your pattern includes them. A contrast lining makes the shoes look extra special, especially if you use a small floral print, gingham, polka dot, or vintage-style cotton.
Before sewing the shoe together, add the Matryoshka doll decoration to the front of each shoe. Cut a small doll shape from felt or fabric scraps, then stitch or glue it carefully into place. Add tiny details such as a face, scarf, apron, or little flower using embroidery thread, fabric paint, beads, or tiny felt pieces.
If these shoes are intended for a baby who may pull at them, avoid loose beads, buttons, sequins, or anything that could become a choking hazard. Embroidered details are the safest and most durable option.
Once the decoration is finished, stitch the shoe upper to the sole, matching the pattern markings. Use small, even stitches and take your time around the curves. Baby shoes are small, so a little wobble shows up quickly — though honestly, handmade charm is part of the appeal.
Sew the heel or back seam as directed by the pattern, then attach any strap, tie, or ribbon detail. If using ribbon ties, make sure they are securely stitched into the shoe and not simply glued. A checked ribbon bow adds a lovely handmade finish and ties in beautifully with the folk-art style of the Matryoshka design.
Repeat for the second shoe, making sure the decorations face the correct way and the shoes are mirrored. This is one of those projects where it is very easy to make two left shoes if you are distracted by tea, children, pets, or the sudden urge to reorganise your button tin.
Trim any loose threads and check the inside of the shoes for rough seams, knots, or scratchy embellishments. Baby items should be soft, neat, and comfortable.
These felt baby shoes are best suited as soft pram shoes, photo props, keepsake shoes, or decorative baby shower gifts. They are not designed for walking babies or outdoor wear. Felt soles can be slippery, so use common sense and do not use them as footwear for a baby who is standing or walking.
For a more polished finish, lightly press the fabric lining pieces before sewing and use sewing clips instead of pins where possible. Clips help hold small curved pieces in place without distorting the felt.
If you are making these as a gift, wrap them in tissue paper and place them in a small handmade box or organza bag. Add a little gift tag that says “Handmade with love” and they instantly become a keepsake present. They would be gorgeous for a baby shower, newborn gift, first photo session, or a handmade nursery display.
For a matching gift set, pair the shoes with a felt hair clip, a baby headband, or a small soft toy made from the same felt colours. You could also make a coordinating Matryoshka doll ornament for the nursery, which would be painfully cute in the best possible way.
You can also line the inside with a contrasting pattern as shown.
Step 1: Fuse the Heat n Bond to the back of all the felt pieces.
Step 2: Cut out 2 of each pattern piece matching the pattern pieces to appropriate shoe piece.
Step 3: Use water soluble pen to mark out all the seams and where the doll should be placed.
Step 4: Iron the doll pieces onto the shoe toe following where you marked with the pen.
Step 5: Hand or machine stitch around the doll bodies.
Step 6: Embroider with a double strand of floss the piece of hair on the dolls forehead, the eyes and a star on the front of the body.
Step 7: Sew the back seam of the shoe together.
Step 8: Sew top part of the shoe to the bottom of the shoe, matching the dots in front and back.
Step 9: Sew ribbon onto the shoe where it is marked on the pattern.
All done!
thanks for sharing this I’ve shared this page on my blog hope it’s ok 🙂
this pattern help me to make other baby shoes type, thank you 🙂
I love it, Thanks. They are very pretty.
Thank you!!!!!
great pattern ! thanks
Loves these shoes! Trying to find shoe pattern to take to Kenya to teach african kids to make. It is an orphanage and they need something to make to sell to make money. Looking to do something like this. They have sheep everywhere and no one uses the sheep’s wool!
What a lovely quick project! Many thanks.