Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 6

The boots-- they totally finish the outfit, don't you think?  And really, it is not too hard to make your own.

Materials needed:

Pair of ballet flats that fit your little Musketeer

3 yards of gold shoes laces trim

satin scraps to match (optional)

scraps of Peltex extra stiff interfacing

(you will need a yard for the hat-- scraps from that work just fine)

a pair of old knee high socks

approximately 30 gold eyelets and tools to set

at LEAST 1 roll of Duck tape in matching color (I have found them at Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, etc.)

And you are going to need your little Musketeer for part of the construction process

Getting Started:

First we are going to make the cuff of the boot.  This made using the Peltex interfacing.  You need two pieces that look like this:

The inner curve should measure about 2 inches short of your child's calf circumference.  It should be about 4 inches wide.

This needs to be covered with fabric.  I used double-sided fusible interfacing, ironed satin on both sides according to the directions on the interfacing then used my rolled hem edge to finish the two sides and the outside curve.  You need to leave a little extra fabric on the inner curve, about an inch or two.  If you would rather, you can also just use your Duck tape to cover the cuffs. Again, just make sure that you leave a little extra tape on the inner curve, like so:

Now we are ready to start constructing the boot.  You will need your little Musketeer in a standing position.  First put on the flats.

If your flats have a little strap like ours, cut it off first.

Next, put the sock OVER the shoe, up to a few inches below the knee.

Tape the cuff on to the top of the sock, as shown in the picture:

Use the excess from the inner curve to tape it to the sock.  It will fold down after you finish the boot. 

Start covering the rest of the sock with the Duck tape.  Use short pieces, about 10 inches.  It's just like wrapping an ankle, if you have ever done that before.

Make sure you cover the entire sock.  You will also want to add at least one extra layer.  The more layers you have, the sturdier the boot.

When you are satisfied with your taping, cut the boot off.  Of course you will want to do this with extreme caution.  I suggest you use surgical scissors, like these:

They will of course be the safest way.  Cut straight down the front from the top of the boot to the edge of the ballet flat.

Now we are going to finish all the exposed edges.  Tape the inside top edge where the cuff attaches to the boot.  (I also sew one line across in the same place to secure the cuff.  My needle gets a little sticky from the tape, but otherwise, it works great!)

 

Put a strip along each cut edge as well. 

And just about there!  Now we are adding eyelets.

Measure along the cut edges of the boot, marking where you want the eyelets.  I usually have about 7 per side, 14 per boot, 28 total. 

Using your little eyelet tool, put holes in each of your marks.  Insert the eyelets.

Add your gold lacing and you are all set to go.

I will hopefully have the hat tutorial up by next week.  Fingers crossed. . .