Slip your shoes into something comfortable while protecting them from scuffs: Store them in homemade velvet shoe bags.
Shoe Bag How-To
1. Cut a 13-by-36-inch rectangle from thick, soft velvet. Fold it in half widthwise, right sides facing, and sew up the sides, leaving open a 1-inch gap on each side about 5 inches from the top (below, left). Fold the top of the bag down beyond the gaps to create a 3 1/2-inch hem. Pin in place; carefully turn the bag right side out.
2. Create a drawstring casing: Stitch two seams around the top edge of the bag, one just above and one just below the 1-inch gaps (don't sew the bag shut). Remove pins from the inside of the bag. Starting at the bottom of the bag, stitch (through both layers, this time) up the bag's center to the bottom of the casing; this will divide the bag into two pockets, preventing shoes from knocking into each other.
3. For drawstrings, cut two 40-inch-long pieces of cord; attach safety pins to their ends, and run each cord (starting them in the same direction on opposite faces of the bag) one and a half times through the casing. When finished, knot together the two cord ends emerging from each side, fraying them to create tassels.
One of my co-workers has her small business doing shoe bags for ladies who have large and extra large shoes. She first encountered of the problem when her sister who has size 15 shoes was having difficulty finding nice and feminine shoe bags that she could bring when she travels.
When it comes to large shoes, the shoe bags look very masculine in dark colors. She found her niche market, and she decided to make fancy looking shoe bags for large shoes. She sells online and sometimes she could not keep up to the demand for these shoe bags.
Love the idea of having a shoe bag. I usually keep the box that comes with the shoes I buy but this looks much better. A little bit more expensive but I will give it a go at least for my favorite shoes.
/Anna from Siren Shoes
These can be made for boots too just add the width and length and stuff the boots with tissue paper!
These can be made for boots too just add the width and length and stuff the boots with tissue paper!
I make these for my purses as well, however I use mesh so I can see threw them. I also use this same concept for seasonal storage items {like thin socks only worn in summer then heavy socks worn in winter}. Everything stores easy and I can see what is where.
In my grandchildrens room I use them for toys, like blocks and doll clothes. It's great and things stay neat.
hermosas ,, yo siempre he guardado mis zapatos en bolsas trasparentes para ver los zapatos y de terciopelo los mas deliocados ,,,
So you need a pattern to sew a tube to make into a shoe bag?
Great pattern! if you're making these for shoes for men, they are too small. I added 2 inches to the width and about 7 inches to the length and they were perfect. Another tip if you're sewing with velvet is to use a walking foot. Makes it a lot easier to sew.
Forgot to mention that I rarely put the center seam into the bag as I prefer to 'nest' the shoes heel to toe to make a more compact bundle for the suitcase.
as a frequent traveler, I find these bags GREAT. I make them however out of scraps of various home projects - the little bit of wool/ cotton, etc left over from a skirt, blouse, etc. they may not always match on both sides, but they can be fit to hubby's BIG shoes (if you can get him to use the bags tee hee) and my shoes with various heel heights. N
Love this idea. not just for shoes, but for many other things too.... Thanks so much..
This is great for traveling and seasonal shoes that I need to store.
Are you kidding? This is a lovely idea, but seriously, who has time to put their shoes into velvet bags after a long day's work! I will use the pattern for making bags for other things though.
That garble should have read - as a 'gift wrap' bag first.....
Love them, and also plan to use them as a n n n n n n gift wrapn n n n n n bag first with a note to the recipient to use later as a shoe bag.
To prevent a pair of nicer or more delicate shoes from rubbing together in the bag, one can sew the bottoms of two narrow bags together, so when the bags are lying flat they look like they're facing the opposite direction. I have a bag like that for my tango shoes, and it works out great!
Living in Canada, where our weather necessitates boots during the winter months, we often find ourselves in situations where we must carry our indoor shoes with us. This type of shoe bag can, and is made from various different materials. I've not used them for storage but it certainly is a good idea. The bags could be colour coded to match the shoes contained within.
Great Idea for Travels. Thak You! Martha.
Fleece might also work. I think I'll make these in a smaller version for my mp3 and headphones so they don't gget tangled in my purse.
This is a great idea for my travels!!!!
Excellent!!!
A smaller version is also very useful to protect your mobile phone from scratches it could get in your bag, or from your pocket.
I believe Cotton Velveteen would work best for these shoe bags. "Real" velvelt is either made of silk or rayon and is too slippery/hard to handle. A plus for using Cotton Velveteen is it is dramatically lower in price than "real" velvet! Thanks for this pattern. I'm making these for Christmas stocking stuffers and when I travel. Many thanks Martha!
I believe Cotton Velveteen would work best for these shoe bags. "Real" velvelt is either made of silk or rayon and is too slippery/hard to handle. A plus for using Cotton Velveteen is it is dramatically lower in price than "real" velvet! Thanks for this pattern. I'm making these for Christmas stocking stuffers and when I travel. Many thanks Martha and staff!
Great for my dance shoes!!
I have a pair of terry shoe bags from some hotel. They are wonderful for travel and I have always wanted more. Thanks for the directions.... now I can make all I want and more for gifts.
great for when your travelling