Non-Stretch Boot Covers
Boot covers are a costume element that can truly make or break an overall look. Sometimes covers made out of a stretch fabric will do the trick, but other times, you will need to create boots with more sophisticated elements like lace ups, stripes, etc. For these types of features, non-stretch boot covers are a great solution.  Let's get started! Here are some tips to help you on your way! |
 Tip #1: Start With a Good Base Shoe Why is it stuffed with plastic bags and cardboard? Well, the client we did this for isn't local, so we needed to create a shape that roughly approached a shoe with a foot in it. If you're making covers for yourself, it is also less of a hassle to stuff your shoe than try it on after every adjustment. |
 Tip #2: Test Out Your Pattern After creating our test pattern, we pinned and stuffed it. We double checked the final measurements to make sure they matched the client's. The most important measurements are the overall booth cover length, ankle circumference, and calf circumference. |
 Tip #3: Label EVERYTHING Label everything! Right. Left. Inside. Outside. Put it on the inside of your fabric pieces so it isn't visible later on. |
 Tip #4: Mirror Images Remember, the right and left shoes are mirror images of each other, so make sure you don't mix up your pattern pieces. This picture shows the inside (pictured right) and outside (pictured left) panels of the boot covers. Note the slight differences. Remember, the inside edge and outside edge of a boot are not the same! When doing a non-stretch boot cover, this is especially important to take into consideration. When doing stretch boot covers, this isn't nearly as important (if at all). |
 Tip #5: Getting a Close Fit How do you get a super close fit with non-stretch covers? Darts! Notice the vertical dart (we put one on both the inside and outside cover panels) and the toe dart (inside panel only). |
 Tip #6: Add a Zipper Because these covers won't stretch, adding a zipper makes it much easier for the client to put on/take off the boot covers. We put the zipper on the outside edge of the cover since the buckle on the base shoe is on the outside edge. |
 Tip #7: Zipper Installation Not sure how to install a zipper on your boot cover? We installed it using the same technique we reviewed in our hidden pocket tutorial here. |
 Tip #8: Clip Your Curves Once you've sewn your inside and outside cover panels together, clip any curved edges. This will help your boot covers lay nice and flat against your leg/foot. |
 Tip #9: Hand Basting We attached the boot cover sole by, first, hand basting it to the boot cover tops, and second machine sewing it. This ensures proper alignment and a close fit to the base shoe. To work with your cover inside out, use the opposite shoe as cover holder. For example, when working on the sole of the left boot cover, we turned it inside out and hand basted it using the right shoe as a cover holder. Since the shoes mirror each other, once you turn it right side out, it should fit back on the left shoe perfectly. |
 Finished Boot Covers! Hopefully these suggestions will get you on your way to making fabulous boot covers =) If you have any questions, feel free to email me! |