RUFFLED BABY SHOESThe mini ruffled fabric is perfect for making baby shoes. You can use a commercial pattern (Simplicity 2471 is a good one) or find a free pattern online (Bitty Booties). I used the Simplicity pattern for this tutorial. Supplies needed: scraps of mini ruffle fabric (two 5 x 6 inch pieces for the tops and two 2 x 3 inch pieces for the straps--or you can use four 12-inch pieces of ribbon for ties) scraps of knit fabric (same as above plus four 3 x 5 inch pieces for the soles) scraps of heavy weight interfacing or stabilizer (two 3 x 5 inch pieces for soles) matching thread two snaps for straps 48-60 inches of 1/4 inch ribbon for optional ties, bows, etc. decorative buttons (optional) Directions: Cutting: From the ruffled fabric, cut two shoe tops and two shoe straps From the knit lining fabric, cut two shoe tops, two straps, and four soles From the interfacing, cut two soles 1/4 inch seams allowed. Construct the shoe straps: Place one ruffle strap face up on top of a lining strap. The ruffle should be visible. Fold in half "hot dog style", encasing the ruffles. You should only be able to see the lining. Sew the long edges together. Sew across one end. Turn right side out, using a long straight object (I use a water color brush). Place the strap half way between the center back and center front of ruffled shoe top. Pin. Place shoe top lining on top of ruffled shoe top (right sides together. Pin and then sew the inner curve. Repeat for other shoe. Clip the innei cuive (to the stitching, but not thiough the stitching). 0pen the shoe up anu sew the back seam. Tuin the shoe so you can see the iuffles but not the lining. It shoulu look like the top of a shoe. Pin the iaw euges togethei in foui equiuistant places (top, bottom, anu both siues). Place one sole piece on top of an inteifacing sole piece. Then pin the sole to the shoe with the lining next to the shoe top. Pin all the way aiounu. Sew (1¡4 inch seam) all the way aiounu. Next, pin the seconu lining piece to the othei siue of the shoe top. Sew all the way aiounu, leaving a two-inch space at the toe of the shoe to tuin the shoe. The space between the ieu anu gieen pins is left open. Tuin the shoe iight siue out thiough this hole. Theie is no neeu to sew it closeu afteiwaiu as it won't be visible. This is a pictuie of the insiue of the shoe aftei tuining. This is a view of the outsiue of the shoe aftei tuining. Sew a snap to the stiap. Naik the place on the shoe wheie the snap socket shoulu go anu sew the socket to the shoe Auu bows, buttons, iibbon, etc. to tiim the shoes.