shoes | Sewchet

Linking up with Natalie at Threads & Bobbins for another edition of Sunday Sevens – a weekly blog series giving a glimpse of your life beyond the blog.

1. This b+b lark is keeping us busier than we ever thought – we had to turn people away who wanted to stay an extra night, because both rooms were fully booked! The laundry though……we would definitely explore the option of a laundry service when we move to a ‘proper’ b+b.

2. Supper made from leftovers – no reason leftovers can’t look pretty!

3. We walked to the local pub and just ordered a prawn cocktail. The landlady had run out of prawns, so came out with this huge platter of breaded seafood instead!

4. Yep, we all needed a lie down after eating that lot:)

5. We met up in Wells to give my sister her birthday present and had a little wander around afterwards. Wells is such a lovely place for a meander.

6. Aside from my sister’s birthday presents, last week I also cast on some new socks, this time for my brother’s birthday next month.

7. I rescued this beautiful cross stitch from a charity shop and will reinvent it into something useful.

9. Knit ‘n’ Natter on Thursday coincided with one of the ladies birthday and we all had cake.

10. Hubby and No.3 Son spoiled me with breakfast in bed on Sunday morning.

11. Apologies if you’ve already seen this on IG, but here’s the latest make for the doll I’m dressing for the school fair. Yes, I made the box, too:)

Another day, another birthday present to make, only this time it is something a bit unusual – a pair of handmade espadrilles!

I’ve made slippers and things along those lines before, but never a bonafide pair of shoes.

The soles were by Prym and purchased online from The Makery in Bath.

The box includes templates for the uppers in various adult sizes, but I heeded advice from others who have previously made them and went down a size when making them. I cut out a UK size 5 for the recipient who has size 6 feet, and they fitted perfectly without slipping off.

Although there were no instructions in the box, full step-by-step photographs can be found on the Prym website and it was those I followed.

If you are tempted to have a go at these be aware that seam allowances are NOT included – you have to add your own before cutting out!

I had a small amount of “Rosetta” fabric left over from making this cushion and make up bag, and decided to team it with a deep pink spotty lining.

The pattern consists of just two pieces – one for across the front and one for the heel.

I added some fusible interfacing to the outside sections just to give the shoe some extra strength and stability.

I also stretched a two-inch length of narrow elastic at the ankle edge just to make sure the shoes would stay on.

The main fabric is sewn to the lining right sides together, then turned through a gap left in the stitching.

I top stitched the elastic through all the layers for a strong and neat finish.

The toe section is sewn and turned in exactly the same way, cutting across the corners and notching around the curves as necessary.

Next comes the fun bit!

You will need a leather needle to sew through the soles as the wedged point makes light work of it where a standard needle would hurt your finger after a while.