Flower Boots Size Chart + Materials List

Boot Size Guide 

Click here for the printable Twig + Tale Boot Size Chart for measuring your child's foot.

 

Suggested fabrics

Exterior:  Wool fabric, wool blends, denim, cord or other fabric with reasonable structure.  If you use a softer fabric such as fleece, it will create a more slouchy boot. I also like to use wool cut from upcycled felted sweaters (one which has shrunk after going through a hot wash, for example) or soft woolen blankets.   Felted sweaters can be thick, so you may need to go up a size.  Instructions on how to felt a sweater are below.

Lining: Cotton, linen, flannel or other breathable fabric. 

Insoles:  Wool from felted woolen sweater or blanket.

Soles: Leather or suede - I use an old skirt or jacket from the thrift store.  You could use corduroy or denim for non-walkers. 

 

Fabric yardage requirements

Boots: One sweater is generally enough to make a pair of boots in the baby or child sizes.   You may need to mix and match two sweaters if making the youth sizes.  If purchasing fabric, you will need a quarter yard/metre of fabric for both the exterior and the lining. 

Flowers:  Scraps!  You can use two or three different tones to give a slightly graduated color to your flower if you wish.  I like to use the deepest color for the inner and the lightest for the large petals.

 

Other supplies & notions

• Spool of coordinating thread
• 4-6 binder clips (approximately 1” or 2.5cm),  as pins will leave holes in your suede/leather.  You could use small pegs or magic clips.
• Elastic (1/4" or 6mm wide) -  5-7" (15-18cm), depending on the boot size.
• Leather sewing machine needle if using medium weight or heavyweight leather for soles.
• If using a heavyweight wool, you might benefit from using a walking foot.
  
  

How to felt a sweater

To start with, you need to source a sweater made from natural animal fibres, such as wool, mohair, cashmere, angora, or merino wool.  Check that the percentage of natural fibres is at least 80% -  otherwise the sweater will not felt.  “Superwash” or "machine-washable wool" will not felt.

Wash your sweater on a HOT wash using a regular laundry powder.  You do not want to use a gentle wool cycle or wool detergent, as they are designed NOT to felt your wool!  You may need to put it through a hot wash twice.  If you have a dryer, that will also help felt your sweater.  Use it on the hottest setting.

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