Carrie and I were able to try something new this past Friday. Ever since we began collaborating with our quilting friends and teaching in quilting fabric stores, we have been exposed to lots of new sewing ideas and products. Just as we were intrigued by the Tuffett in 2021, the handmade quilted sneaker class always seemed like a fun new experiment.
Let’s Make Sneakers
We discovered in the spring that Capital Quilts, one of our favorite stores where we have been teaching for at least 10 years, was hosting such a class. These classes fill pretty quickly so we signed up to assure our autumnal play time. Quilted sneakers are very fun but It was hard work. Here is a little recap.
The class included a rather long list of preparatory instructions, a bit like our quilted jacket classes. One was to choose one or two different fabrics and quilt the sneaker fabric to a fusible foam with the sneaker lining on the back. There is even an extra layer of fusible interfacing in there, but it means the shoes have a nice body and stand up next to the formidable rubber soles, sized to fit and provided in our kit.
Our instructor Joan, had really thought of everything including the Dum Dum lollipops we could enjoy without getting our hands messy! She brought all the tools and materials we needed and a cheerful demeanor that kept each and every student engaged all day.
Carrie and I both pre-quilted our fabric before arriving which was recommended so we were able to get right to work. Carrie had a lovely group of hand-dyed batiks and marbleized coordinates in shades of blue and turquoise. I had a large scrap of an aboriginal print and purchased an additional print that coordinated when we went to our local store Happyhour Fabrics to buy the foam and interfacing recommended. Carrie even bought some additional fabrics to make her daughter a pair with a chicken theme.
Our personalized kit bags had our chosen size soles, patterns, a shoemaking needle, insoles, and the sharp-punchy thing tool. It came in handy all through the day.
Making the “Uppers”
The pattern was on cardstock and had to be cut-out and taped together before laying out and cutting the shoe section on the chosen fabric. That was the easy part. Then all the little stitching holes and to be marked and punched on each piece of the shoe as well as the eyelet placement holes. That took a while, over 60 holes but her tools were fabulous as was her knowledge of the right markers for the job no matter the color of the fabric.
Once marked, each piece was bound with a double layer quilt binding around all the exposed edges of the shoe.
Next we chose our grommets, and there were a bevy of colors to choose from.
Then we set the gromets, because I was making hightops, there were 8 on each side of each shoe. 32 in all.
Attach quilted pieces to the soles
Finally we assembled the shoes, hand stitching the fabric and foam/fabric pieces to the rubber sole. That sharp-punchy thing was perfect to open up the holes in the rubber soles before beginning and even during the stitching project. The thread was multi ply and heavily waxed. The stitching process was twice around with detours on each side, near the toe box to reinforce the fabric sections.
We were in class from 11AM to 6PM and we both reached the assembly stage. I had one shoe mostly done when I left, and finished it that evening at home. Then I gave my weary arms and hands a rest on Saturday and stitched the second shoe together on Sunday. It was good to work slowly as some of the final construction steps were hard to access once the shoes were put together.
Once finished, you add the insole and put in your matching laces. I am still deciding which color to use for mine, maybe I will switch them out when the outfit requires it.
See more sneakers on Joan’s Instagram @buckelbee_patterns
Keep Moving in New Directions
Try something new, whether it is a quilted garment, a non-quilted garment, sewing with knits, a handbag or wallet. There are so many possibilities depending on your current skills. Save the date and join us at Capital Quilts, February 27-28 to learn to fit and sew the Carpe Diem Dress and Tunic.
What do you think about adding a Happy Feet sneaker making day to one of our retreats? It could be possible.
Sewing is a skill and for me, a passion, that will continue to entertain and challenge all through my life. Hope it proves to be just as wonderful for you!
