I have various ways of ruining shoes…
1, I wear them out dancing, spill drinks on them, hail a taxi in them and throw them on the kitchen floor when I finally get back home (please realise that this hasn’t happened in about five years but shoes were ruined nonetheless)
2, I wear the wrong type of shoe for the weather or terrain. Which is why, now I live in a more rural environment, I live in my Dubarrys.
3, I shove them in a bag and wear my trainers out and about, only putting my shoes on when I reach my destination. Needless to say the shoes have often been pulled out of the bag or suitcase rather scuffed.
So this is why I made some shoe bags. So that I can travel and pack my shoes in a bag or suitcase and know that they’ll reach their destination in the same condition that they started their travels in.
What you will need for this project:
- Fabric: 34cm x 80cm, then folded in half
- x 8 strips of fabric measuring 3cm x 7cm and then hemmed, for the loops
- 2.2 m satin ribbon (38mm in width) for the drawstring tie
- 60cm of trim
- Pins
- Thread to match the fabric
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
Start by double hemming and pinning the two ends of the fabric bag, the shorter ends, (around 0.5cm per hem) this will be the bag opening.
Machine both of the hems.
Next, double hem and pin the sides of the shoe bag and machine the hems up.
Now fold the bag in half, so that the patterned side of the fabric is facing inwards and bag looks inside out. Pin the two sides of the bag up, leaving the the top opening of the bag unpinned. Machine the the sides of the bag up, and turn the bag back the right way.
Set the bag to one side for the time being.
Cut out eight strips of fabric, measuring 3cm x 7cm, in the same fabric used for the shoe bag, these strips will become the loops that the ribbon is threaded through to create the drawstring tie on the shoe bag.
Hem the fabric strips, don’t worry about hemming the ends of the strips at this time, just the sides. Once all eight strips are hemmed,
position four of them equally along the top (the opening) of the shoe bag and double check that they have all been hemmed equally. Turn the shoe bag over and use the other four strips to do the same on the other side.
When you are satisfied with the width of each of the pinned hems on the strips, machine them up.
Pin the strips back in place along the top of the bag but this time folding the top and bottom of the strips under and then pinning as this will give a neater finish once machined in place. Machine in place along the top and bottom of the strips, thus creating the loops needed.
For the trim along the top of the of the shoe bag, I decided on a turquoise bobble trim which matched my bag fabric perfectly. I hand-stitched the trim on using matching turquoise thread.
To create the drawstring tie, I double threaded my cream satin ribbon through the loops on the top of the bag, and pulled it at each end to close.
The great thing about having shoe bags is that they are a tiny luxury and not something that we’d think of as a necessity. Which is why homemade shoe bags make the best gifts. In the UK Mothering Sunday is fast approaching and this would make a lovely handmade gift.
Your shoes can hang in the wardrobe, be placed in the cupboard and be packed in the suitcase in a little luxury. Handmade luxury of course.
Thank you so much for reading. Welcome to the week. I love you.
Cherry x
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Love this website. Its given me (a beginer) so many ideas and easy step by step instructions. Now that i have discovered my Inner Crafting Goddess (at the age of 40+) i have so many ideas to make and do, and your instructions are perfect! thank you so much x
Bags…
[...]How To Make A Shoe Bag « Cherry Menlove[...]…
Thank you very much! Another project to keep the boredom of maternity leave at bay!
S
Hi Cherry
Where do you get your beautiful fabric and trimmings from?
Justine x
Hi Justine,
The fabric and trimmings for this craft project were purchased at the Eternal Maker in Chichester, West Sussex.
Jodie
x
beautiful shoe bag, Great idea!
What a fabulous idea. I could also see these as a cute dance class shoe bag, as well. Your tiny luxuries are so cheerful.
Perfect Post today Cherry.
Much love,
Martha. x
Hi Cherry,
I like your Poat today. I’m wear my trainers enroute to the office and carry my shoes in a plastic bag. Classy I know! I will make this shoe bag how-to. Such a lovely idea.
Thank you.
Trudie.
What a lovely shoe bag. I never travel without mine. I have half a dozen but not as pretty as yours.
Ooh such pretty fabric, and love the bobble trim.
It’s sunny where I am today too.
Great idea and so pretty.
Beautiful shoe bag Cherry, I’m am going to give it go at the weekend. Thanks for the how-to.
K
Everyone’s talking about the sun shining. Shows how little of it we get in England and how we appreciate it when we do get it. Napoleon called us a nation of shopkeepers (cheeky churl) but I think we’re a nation of weather girls.Oh by the way the sun is shining here in Surrey and I’m sitting at my French doors enjoying it. The grandchildren went out in the garden for the first time this year! Loved the shoe bag Cherry. Anything that smacks of luxury. Life is too dull, serious and hard without it.
Sun is shining here too in Hampshire… all very spring like. Love the shoe bags Cherry and loving too, the fact that it gives me an excuse to think about planning a trip to VV Rouleaux – heaven! xx
PS. Made the cod with green beans and chorizo last week – even Husband who’s not a fish fan loved it! Thanks! x
Love these, will certainly be making some
Thanks xx
just lovely, a very sweet idea, and so many alternative uses too.
I spent the weekend being crafty, much needed after a horrid ending to the week.
I revamped some old jeans into a skirt. Great fun. Sewing is such a relaxing thing to do isn’t it? I’m sure you feel the same.
Have a lovely start to the week. It’s sunny in East Anglia
x