Sunday 23 October 2011

Winter warmers: line your boots in shearling for toasty feet!

The darkness has descended and that dastardly Jack Frost is back, which can mean only one thing: winter is upon us. Le sigh.
Now I must admit that I am a secret admirer of the winter months; twinkling lights in the darkness, fireworks, the smell of bonfires and best of all, Christmas (it all feels rather exciting, don't you think?). But one thing that I always struggle with is what to wear during the cold months, as my regular cotton dresses and sandals just aren't going to cut it!

Today I am going to tackle the issue of footwear, because no one likes a long day with cold, soggy feet.

A 1945 illustration from Paris et l'Elegance feminine.

On the hunt for a good pair of 1940's-esque boots to protect my tootsies, I stumbled across these Clarks boots on ebay and immediately saw their potential for a turned down, cuffed style...


These brown suede boots have a low, wedged heel and slashed ankles which are reminiscent of snug 1940's styles, but they still needed something...to be just perfect. So I set to work...

For this project you will need:


~ One pair of boots
~ Shearling or faux shearling (I found mine on ebay)
~ 1 pen
~Superglue which will work on fabric/leather
~Scissors
~And some newspaper to prevent any superglue disasters

Step 1:


Lay the shearling, wrong side up, over one side of one boot. 
Trace out the centre-back seam first, and then trace a rough shape, thinking about where you would like the shearling to sit when inside the boot, adding a bit extra around the top to be trimmed off when finished.

Step 2:


Next, cut out the shape you have drawn 4 times (2 for each boot)

Step 3:


Apply a reasonable amount of glue to the reverse side of the shearling, and then carefully place the piece into the boot; lining up the centre back seam first will make this easiest. Once you are sure that it is in the right place, press firmly and hold for a short while until the glue is well bonded. 

Step 4:


Take a second piece of shearling and repeat previous step, meeting the two lining pieces in the centre.

Step 5:


Repeat the same process for boot number two, et voila!

Step 6:




Once the glue is dry, trim off the excess shearling from around the tops of the boots. You may need to add a little more glue under the edges to make sure the lining is firmly stuck.


I also covered those rubber flower buttons with the fabric too, to give fluffy little buttons!

And the result?


Gloriously fluffy boots which will be both warm and cute with wool dresses and fur during the cold months of winter!

What do you ladies think?
Please to let me know if any of you try it. I'd love to see the results.

Pip pip xx

11 comments:

  1. That is such a brilliant idea. You haven't pimped them up, you've vint-ed them up. x

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  2. They look like the comfiest shoes ever!
    I love the little pompom detail as well - you're so talented! x

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  3. Wonderful job with the add ons! They look even cuter now!

    xxGee

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  4. Amazing Rosie! What a wonderful idea. x

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  5. I love this, such a good idea, the revamp of the button is especially cute :)

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  6. Wow lady, you did a fandabidosy job there! Well done!! I fear my pins are too much like tree trunks for such delicacies as ankle boots :(

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  7. WOW! Fantastic idea. I am definitely going to have to keep this in mind for the future! I have some faux shearling lined boots but they're flat, which is just as well as we get lots of snow and ice, but on the rare day there isn't any, a heel or wedge would be great!

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  8. Seriously - honest to God - heaven to Betsy - I don't know how I missed this from my blog roll! For shame!

    This is an excellent tutorial!

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  9. Thank you all, I am so appreciative of your lovely comments and feedback!

    I am appalled to find that I never replied to all your lovely comments! I was sure I had. But alas, evidently not! Whoops.

    xxx

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  10. Wow...they are certainly a fine looking pair of boots...and how kind of you to share your goodwill toward the company!!

    Womens shearling coat & Shearling baby boots

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Please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you beauties think.