When I released my Natty Janes Baby Shoe pattern, I got a lot of requests for a boy version. Today’s post is an answer to that. I’m sharing a free pattern and tutorial for a modern leather baby boy boot!
UPDATE OCTOBER 2019: I have updated the FREE pattern by adding a free .svg cut file too!
I actually first shared these shoes in THIS post. I was just playing around with the idea, liked it, and decided to make it into a pattern and tutorial.
It is not a graded pattern, but I’m offering it for free in size 1 or 0-3 months. Click the link below:
Modern Baby Boy Boot FREE PATTERN
It has a minimalist, modern feel and really is simple to put together. It could easily be unisex, but I designed it to err on the masculine side.
Laces are optional. They are super cute but mostly just for looks.
I tried the no laces version on the baby girl down the street and they fit great. If your baby’s feet are close to 3.5″ in length then they should fit snug enough to not need them.
Ready to get started?
Materials…………………………………………………………………………………………
– Leather – You can buy a hide or reuse an old purse or jacket. Baby shoes are great because they require such small amounts of leather. You may also use pleather or vinyl. It will not look as nice as genuine leather, but still cute. If you are buying vinyl by the yard, 1/8 of a yard should be plenty. – Fleece or felt – this will be used as a lining. Only a scrap is needed, or 1/8 a yard if you are buying yardage. – High quality thread – You don’t need special thread but I highly recommend that you use a nice quality, all purpose thread. – Leather needle – You can get away with a universal needle, but you will experience less frustration and end up with a nicer looking boot if you use a leather needle. – Clover clips or small binder clips (pins do not work with this project) – Sharp heavy duty scissors –disappearing ink fabric marker – optional: leather laces or ribbon, metal eyelet grommets, and an eyelet punch, if you are adding laces.Sizing…………………………………………………………………………………………………
This pattern is a free pattern for size 0-3 months or size 1 shoes. This shoe best fits a foot that is 3.5″ to 3.75″ from longest toe to heel.
HOW TO…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Step 1 – Prepare pattern.
Get the FREE pattern or cut file by clicking these links below:
SVG + PDF: Modern Baby Boot Pattern files
Just PDF: Modern Baby Boy Boot FREE PATTERN
The first file is a zip file. Download it. Double click it to open it. There is a pdf pattern file and a .svg cut file that is compatible with Cricut and Silhouette machines.
SVG File: You may use it as a cut file or use the trace feature to have your machine trace it onto your material for you.
PDF pattern: Print and cut out the paper pattern at 100% or actual size. Do not size it to fit the page as it will change the dimensions. Check the 2 inch or 5 cm test square to verify it is the right size.
Step 2 – Cut out your main leather or faux leather materials.
You need two from each pattern piece cut out as mirror images from the main material.
For the felt lining, cut scraps of felt just larger than the upper shoe pieces. We will trim them to size in a moment. The soles are not lined.
Step 3 – Lay the leather upper pieces on top of the fleece/felt.
You can clip them together but I personally find it easier to just hold them in place by hand.
Step 4 – Switch the needle…
…in your machine to a leather needle.
Step 5 – Sew the leather upper piece…
…to the fleece/felt scrap just on the side that is curviest.
(See above.) Do not sew all the way around. Just sew along the edge that will be the inside/top of the shoe.
Step 6 – Trim.
Cut away the excess fleece/felt.
Step 7 – Notice top stitching.
See how nice it looks? It is so much easier to get a nice finish if you top stitch the lining on this way.
Step 8 – Using the sole pattern…
…mark the dot on the WRONG side of the sole.
(You can see that this is the same sole pattern from my Natty Janes Baby Shoe pattern :)).
Step 9 – Measure straight across…
…and mark again.
This second dot is where you will start sewing. Flip your sole pattern over and repeat for the other sole piece.
Step 10 – Line the curved end of the upper piece…
…up with the second dot you marked on your sole pieces.
Step 11 – Clip the upper to the sole…
…all the way around until you get to the first clip.
Remember to clip pieces together right sides facing out or wrong sides together. Be sure that the fleece/felt lining is flush with the leather upper piece as well.
Step 12 – Remove the first and second clips…
…and position the end of the upper piece underneath the the top shoe portion you started clipping with. Lay that top shoe portion back in place on top of the end of the shoe upper and clip both layers in place.
Sew all the way around with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Tips for sewing with leather:
1. Sew SLOWLY! This really helps solve many problems.
2. I like to lengthen my stitch to 4 mm. This provides a nicer look and smoother feed through the sewing machine. You can even go up to 4.5 mm when top stitching the leather to the lining. I don’t like to lengthen my stitch too much at the sole, because the strength of that seam is important and will be tested with the wear of the shoe.
Trim the seam allowance back to about 1/8 inches.
You’re done!
Optional: Add Laces
Simply punch holes with the eyelet punch where you want. Add metal eyelet grommets and lace your laces through.
I have to say that I am really liking the minimalist, no laces version though.
If the exposed seam allowance bothers you, you can reverse the way you overlap the upper and sew the shoe on right sides together before turning it out. Having tried that, the fit is wider at the top, so you may require the laces option. Sewing it on right sides out, helps the shoe upper hug the foot better in this design.
If I had a baby boy, he would totally be rocking these. 🙂
This post was created for Everyday’s Art Little One series. Go check out more fun baby projects by clicking the graphic below.
OMG! How cute are these? Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Maarikami!
These are so awesome Delia. Perfect mix of baby sweet and totally boy at the same time.
Thank you Courtney. 🙂
These are sooo cute !! And perfect for little boys ! Thank you Delia for the pattern and tutorial !
Thanks Sophie! 🙂
These are so so so ridiculously cute! Wish I had a baby boy to make these for but I’d totally rock it as a keychain too 😉
these are so DARLING! Ever since I posted about some baby girl shoes I made, I’ve had people ask me about boy shoes…now I know where to refer them!
haha…I swear that is the #1 follow up question. Now…do you have the boy version? 🙂
do you have a girl version of these :)?
Well…I think you could totally use these for a girl, but if you want something more feminine I have a paid baby shoe pattern for girls? Here’s a link in case you’re interested. 🙂
http://www.deliacreates.com/natty-janes-leather-baby-shoe-pattern-release/
What a great pattern. These are so cute!!! x
I am soooo making these! Thank you!
Oh my goodness! How freaking adorable is this! You’re good. really good. Now I need to figure out how to size this up for an older baby….
Oh, goodness! Those are adorable… I wish I had a baby boy!
These are all kinds of awesome!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this evening that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-diy-leather-baby-boy-boots/2014/05/01/
–Anne
Thank you, for the tutorial, Baby Boy Shoes. I will definitely use this!
I Love this pattern. I have been trying to print it off to sew them up but I have been having difficulties. Are they no longer free? I looked in your shop but wasn’t able to find them. Thanks!
Hi Ashley. They are still free. Did you try this link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B28r79Y8rkSQNTdMeGN1bTR2WTQ/edit ?
If that doesn’t show up, it could be that your server that won’t allow you to access something on Google drive. If that is the case, email me: [email protected] and I’ll email the pattern to you.
I tried that email address to get the pattern your email no longer available
Sorry about that. Have you tried this one: [email protected]?
Just sewed up a pair – great tutorial! Thanks!
You are most welcome! That’s great! 🙂
that’s one of my favorite web site 🙂 thanks for the article
These are so cute..I’m getting ready to do a series on handmade gifts for Christmas. I would like to make these and refer them back to you. Thanks for sharing..I love them.
Thank you Crystal! That would be wonderful!
Hi there! I love reading through your tutorials and making bits and pieces for my boys! I was wondering if you could help me with a sewing mcachine question. As my projects are getting thicker and bigger now with leather, I realize that a home sewing machine and leather needle just aren’t enough as I will eventually burn out the motor. Could you recommend an industrial, waking foot machine that would serve me to make leather pieces? Many thanks!
Great question Jane. I wish I could give a better answer but I am still sewing on a home sewing machine too. I haven’t researched an industrial machine, because for the amount of leather I sew, my home machine has been sufficient. If I had a shop and was selling leather pieces I would definitely look into it though! Sorry for the incomplete answer. Good luck!
Thank you for your generosity in sharing this. I love the minimalist look of these.
all good wishes
Thanks Jane!
Do you think these would be hard to edit to be longer boots? (like just under babies knee)
Great question. I think you might be able to do it. Often taller boots have a separate shaft piece, but you can certainly just try and see. I would use some craft felt as a muslin, so that you can perfect your pattern pieces before cutting into the good stuff. I hope that helps!
Why can’t girls wear these shoes? Blaze a trail. Equal opportunity. Cute shoes on cute feet.
They certainly can! I feel like girls have so many options, we should give boys a chance. Hence my “boy” version. 😉
Thank you so much for the pattern, I just made one last night as a test run and will be using for inspiration to make a pair for a friend of mine who just had a baby a few weeks ago as a baby shower gift although they didn’t have one. Do you know a good place to find scales for children’s feet to base on for making shoes?
I know this is reply is too late (I just now saw this comment -so sorry!) but I have a children’s shoe pattern that includes a size chart in my shop. Here’s a link to it: https://www.deliacreates.com/product/natty-janes-baby-shoe-pattern/
Any chance you have larger size pattern to sell of this particular pattern? Thanks so much
I’m so sorry but I do not. You can purchase the Natty Janes pattern for the sole pattern pieces and then enlarge the upper pattern to fit the size you want. I used the same sole pattern for these shoes. I wish I had a better solution for you.
wanting to try these out for a gift. What thread are you using? My all purpose thread isn’t cutting it; it breaks after the first few stitches.
I used all purpose thread, but I find that using a higher quality thread like Gutermann can make a difference. I hope that helps. You could try a thicker thread, but I personally always struggle with making sure the tension is right when I switch to a thicker thread.