Make Your Own Shoe Inserts
If you're a shoe fiend like my mom, you know that maintenance costs can add up over the years. Make your own shoe inserts and stick them inside your fanciest of shoes to keep them looking brand new long past the "return by" date. These DIY shoe stuffers work like store-bought shoe trees to help your favorite pair of shoes from losing their shape while sitting in the closet– at a fraction of the cost! They especially come in handy if you plan to travel - these stuffies keep your shoes from getting smushed in your luggage. Perfect for beginner sewists, a quick and easy sewing pattern like this is both useful and eye-catching. Don't hesitate to personalize each set with your favorite color or patterned fabric, and add embellishments that define your wonderful personality. What makes it even better is that these shoe stuffies can be completed in MINUTES!
This fabric scrapbuster is a great handmade gift idea for a friend. If they like to dress up or always seem to be on the move, they'll truly appreciate these itty bitty essentials. Of course, we won't tell if you decide to keep them all to yourself.
Plus, use activated charcoal instead of potpurri to have your stuffie double as a shoe deodorizer.
Estimated CostUnder $10
Time to CompleteUnder an hour
Primary TechniqueSewing
Sewn byMachine
Materials List
- oly*fun™ Bubble Gum
- poly-fil® polyester fiberfill
- Buttons
- Ribbon; 16″ of 1″ wide ribbon for each pair of shoe stuffies
- Potpourri
- Basic Sewing Supplies: Sewing Machine, Iron, Pressing cloth, Needle & Thread etc.
Make Your Own Shoe Inserts
Instructions
Note: When ironing oly*fun: Set your iron to the silk setting and always use a pressing cloth. Both sides of oly*fun™ can be considered the right side of the fabric, the choice really is yours to make, however be consistent for a more finished look.
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With the shoe of your choice, trace the outline of the shoe onto a piece of paper. Be sure the marker is perpendicular as you trace around the shoe to achieve a clear pattern.
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Increase your pattern 140%, using a copy machine.
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Lay the pattern on top of your color choice of oly*fun™ and cut out four pieces (two for each shoe stuffer).
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Using a 1/4″ seam, sew around the outside edge of the Shoe Stuffie leaving the top edge open. Trim close to stitching line.
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Turn Shoe Stuffie right side out and press. Fill the stuffie with Poly-Fil® and potpourri.
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Turn under raw edges 1/2″, insert an 8″ length of ribbon folded in half and then stitch across the top edge of the stuffie.
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Add a button if desired to finish your DIY shoe stuffer.