Shoe Pattern

[GirlChris]

Shoes are usually the hardest part of the garb to get right. Which is why this is so AWESOME!!!

http://www.butterick.com/item/B5233.htm?tab=costumes&page=1

That's right, ladies and gents. Butterick has come out with a historical shoe pattern. View A looks like it would do quite well for medieval or renaissance era shoes. They recommend using synthetic leather or suede, but I see no reason why you couldn't use the pattern with real leather and make something quite nice. 

[LadyOren]

I've seen this pattern up close and it's a breeze, you will be able to create them easily.  Now if you want to buy just enough leather for one pair and not have to buy an entire hide go to http://www.brettunsvillage.com  Tell Churchill I sent you and let him know what your looking for, he will steer you in the right direction for thickness and quality.  Best to you all!

[knarlyknot]

I, too, would recommend Brettun's Village for leather.  They are really great and were very helpful when I had what I thought were stupid questions.  Good luck with your shoes.

[mieljolie]

So, I guess I won't have to wear can tab shoes to faire after all.  Hehehe. 



Seriously, I just made those above for my mom.  But, I'd like to ask if anyone can give explanation as to what locations/times each of those shoes on the pattern would be appropriate for?  It doesn't seem to say.  I don't know much about the subject, but would like to attempt something for faire.  Honestly, to me, some of those on the package look more Native American.

[isabelladangelo]

  But, I'd like to ask if anyone can give explanation as to what locations/times each of those shoes on the pattern would be appropriate for?  It doesn't seem to say.  I don't know much about the subject, but would like to attempt something for faire.  Honestly, to me, some of those on the package look more Native American.

None of the patterns are completely H/A, however, you are correct: some are very American in nature.  Anything with fringe?  early 19th c pioneer.  Think Davy Crockett.   The pointed ones look like 14th c Poulaines but the big problem with all the shoes is that they didn't have "right" or "left" until the 18th c and even the it was for rich people.  (You needed to be able to wear out the soles on both sides.  Go pick up your favorite pair of shoes and you'll see one side has a lot more wear than the other.  Without a right and left, you get can wear out both sides giving you a longer life in your shoes)

The boot in the top left (without the fringe) looks loosely based on some Viking excavations.   I've seen that style before.

Hope that helps.

[mieljolie]

Thanks so much for the info!  I think I like the idea of no left and right.  People were so thrifty back then!  What on earth happened to us?!

I've been wearing plain canvas "mary jane" style shoes with my outfit.  I'd like to make a better shoe, but haven't seen any patterns I would like to try, yet.  A lot of folks talk about boots, but I have heard they really weren't the everyday shoe in those days.  It's also hard to find pictures of other footwear.  Can't see the feet in most paintings, especially portraits. 

Any other suggestions would be helpful.

[Cilean]

Hello All,

I don't think those are very H/A, however, I have a couple links to vendors and patterns that are more towards History.

If you look on eBay for these Queta's Closet patterns for Tudor, Medieval and Renaissance Shoes, as well as many other types of garb making things you will find them under this seller: Grey Sails Traders  This lady is or was a Rennie and SCA as well as I LARP person.  She has some great information on making shoes.

I also have this link for online help in making shoes

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOEHOME.HTM

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/shoe/construction.html

http://www.the-exiles.org/essay/makingmedishoes.htm


And another one you can purchase the CD for the how to guide
http://talbotsfineaccessories.com/books/footwear.html

Here are some that are not too expensive and look pretty good
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/20193.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.buycostumes.com/Renaissance-Shoe--/20193/ProductDetail.aspx&h=1600&w=1600&sz=78&tbnid=t9WSIok-irgJ::&tbnh=150&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DRenaissance%2BShoes&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image&cd=1

Of course we have a lovely lady who makes them here in the Forum as well!

Good Luck
Cilean

[isabelladangelo]

Shoemakers - naturally, a lot of the paintings/illuminations have shoes being made by shoemakers or shoes being sold  :-)

German 16th C shoes - Shoes didn't differ much from regions, unlike dress, so it's a pretty good reference no matter your region

Extant Shoes - there are still a lot of shoes around...mainly because they got thrown into "privies" every so often and we dig 'em up a few hundred years later...the chemical nature of the ummm...soil makes it a pretty good preserver.

Painting with mules  - If you look near the bed, you'll see the mules/clogs just resting there

Mary Janes and sandals - Mary Janes are perfectly period, cheap, and highly recommended.  This painting is the reason I rarely worry about footwear.  Wear your Chinese slippers and spend your money on a new bodice instead.

There are a ton more sites that shoe footwear in period art or have extant examples but I hope this is a pretty decent overview.  Basically, boots were rarely worn by women (QEI had a pair but I think that's about it).  Flat, sensible shoes were what you wore.  After all, your shoes had to go through the mud and yuck (no sewage system).  Even if you had your chopines, it's more practical to buy a pretty necklace and partlet than to buy fancy shoes.

[Kate XXXXXX]

What a lot of lovely references!  THANK YOU!  I shall squirrel them away for future use.

And thanks for pointing out the pattern.  If I never make them in leather for real wear, I may one day make them in vinyl for stage use!

I love this forum.

[TiaLD77]

So, I guess I won't have to wear can tab shoes to faire after all.  Hehehe. 



Seriously, I just made those above for my mom.

Those are sooooo Kewl! How do you do that??

[mieljolie]

isabelladangelo and Cilean, those are some fantastic links!  I'm really inspired to make shoes now.  Not sure mine will be comletely h/a, but, I like basing things on the original styles at least.  At faire, I just want to have fun with it and not stick out like a sore...um...toe.

TiaLD77, I made those silly shoes up out of my head just to see if I could.  If you want the pattern/instructions, I will certainly share it. 

[gem]

Mary Janes and sandals - Mary Janes are perfectly period, cheap, and highly recommended.  This painting=http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/florentine/images/floren21.jpgis the reason I rarely worry about footwear.  Wear your Chinese slippers and spend your money on a new bodice instead.

That is my alltime *favorite* shoe portrait!  I just adore the green stockings.

[TiaLD77]

TiaLD77, I made those silly shoes up out of my head just to see if I could.  If you want the pattern/instructions, I will certainly share it. 

OOH Yes Please do, I can add them to the list my family has of WTH is she doing now?  They Just dont get Rennie recycling 

[mieljolie]

TiaLD77 or anyone else interested, here is a link to a pattern for my silly shoes.  Hope it is helpful.  It's about a women's size 7/8.  Just adjust the length/width to suit.

http://tabistry.blogspot.com/2008/07/mom-needs-new-pair-of-shoes.html

[LordPaulet]

Here is a link to some people that make some VERY nice (and slightly expensive) pretty h/a (though i think not entirely) shoes!
http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/17th_Century_Footwear.html

[willin]

Here is a link to some people that make some VERY nice (and slightly expensive) pretty h/a (though i think not entirely) shoes!

correction: that is a link to a catalog that sells shoes. they do not make the shoes anymore than they make the clothing, armor, swords, chainmail, musical instruments, DVD's, CD's or greeting cards they offer.

i would urge anyone wishing to purchase renaissance footwear, costumes etc. to go to your local renaissance festival and support the artisan crafts people who make what they sell, have invested in and are a interracial part of the event.

this thread is supposed to be about shoe patterns, as in to make your own, not promoting a commercial catalog website of finished goods.

[LordPaulet]

Willin i was not promoting a catalog website.  I simply found a nice site that has some pretty derned goood lookin shoes.  and I understand that they were looking for shoe patterns...but what if someone doesnt have the time or ability to do so...my response was just a suggestion that i found...no need to jump down my throat. 
I have never had a problem with the renfest.com boards...Though if this is how people are treated upon their return im not sure I would like to voice my input. 
(now back to the regular sheduled program of this topic...!)
OH, btw...Willin if you could find me a FAIRE vendor that can make shoes like those....point me in their direction...

[willin]

Welcome Back LordPaulet  ! ! !


  posting the link is promoting the site.
  there are thousands of websites that sell shoes that somebody likes, 
  but have nothing to do with patterns used in the making of shoes.
  no need to get your panties in a twist. i was not jumping down anybody's throat. 
  i was simply stating the fact that the catalog is not the maker,
  and urge people to support an artisan/crafter rather then a catalog.
 
  it was not my intention to attack or offend anyone,
  i'm sorry if it came across that way.


   ~willin
 


 

[willin]

OH, btw...Willin if you could find me a FAIRE vendor that can make shoes like those....point me in their direction...

don't hold me to it but. . .
i'll keep an eye out for some appropriate pink &/or blue leather
and maybe we'll see about making you up some matching boots.

 
shall we see if we can get back on topic?
or did i manage drag it so far off,  we can't find the way back?

[Cobaltblu]

Wow willin they match eachother...but also the tent in the background AND the concrete they are walking on.

Did it rain pink dye?

Regards,

CB

[LordPaulet]

(actually the new costume is lavander and green so in those colors would be preferable )

[willin]

   Lavender & Forest Green ? or Lime Green ? 

[LordPaulet]

light lavender and mint to lime green

[Cilean]

I just found a CD rom that you can pick up from  Lost Coast, they have a couple of CD's so it is awesome I think!

http://www.lostcoasthistpatterns.com/index.html


Cilean