It's been ages since I've done a sewing tutorial on this ole blog, eh? Let's change that today! If you live in a house with anyone other than yourself you've probably come across some, uh, stink. Eminating from the closet. I am guilty of this, as well. Cute ladies' shoes aren't always breatheable..which means at the end of the day those dogs are barking. And kids? Well, soccer cleats, Crocs and Keens are the worst in my opinion. So here's a littly ditty for those digits. Lavender-filled shoe sachets, laced together so you'll never lose one foot or the other.
I wanted the sachets to look like dance steps, so I created a pattern with silhouetted shoe prints. I hope you enjoy it. Now, let's rhumba!
Get It:
- print out the shoe pattern pdf here: Download Let's dance!
- Print and solid fabrics of your choice
- Trim, rickrack or ribbon 7" long
- needle and thread or sewing machine (preferred)
Do It:
Cut out all yer pieces. I used linen for my background fabric, but any solid will do. The pattern pieces can be customized for boy, girl or grown-up. To get a backside for your shoe, simply flip over your big background piece, trace and cut out of other print or solid fabrics. I used a little small scale check pattern on mine.
Pin and sew your applique pieces onto the background piece. I used a zig-zag (I'm lazy like that) but you could do a fancy pants freezer stencil if you like. It would be more polished. But then, they are going in shoes, ya know?
Place your shoe print on the backside, right sides together. Pin and sew around the edge, being careful not to come too close or it will pop out when you turn and stuff. Also, don't forget to leave an opening at the top to turn! (I speak from expletive-inducing experience here)
Turn and iron flat. Make a little funnel out of a scrap of cardstock or cardboard hanging around. Mine has french instructions on it. Aren't I fancy? Fill with lavender or a mixture of lavender and rice. Rice is absorbent, so that's a good thing for shoes. I order my lavender from here. Keep left-over lavender in a sealed bag or jar and away from sunlight--it will fade and lose its scent. I used a wooden skewer to help push in the filling if the funnel gets clogged.
Insert the end of your ribbon or tie and sew the opening closed. I admit it would look neater if I had done this by hand, but I was worried the tie-end wouldn't be secure enough. I have a feeling these may be swung about, nunchuck-style, by my kids.
This project is for fun, personal non-commercial use only. Please don't sell anything made from it, but do upload pictures of your creation to the goody-goody flickr group! Let me know if you have any questions! Happy sewing!
