Make your own shoes to complete your costume
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Having the right shoes to really complete your cosplay or LARP costume matters quite a bit, right?
Because it kind of ruins the whole look if you've got an amazing costume, but your shoes just don't match at all, you know?
There are several styles of boots and shoes that are pretty easy to find (or to transform from something you can find in stores). There are also all kinds of techniques for covering shoes. But why not make your own boots, from scratch?
If you're looking for a soft, flexible shoe, it's totally possible!
| That's why I developed a soft boot pattern to help you complete your medieval-style costumes. |
The medieval boot bundle includes 6 designs, giving you a ton of style options. And they're all built on the same base, so you can swap looks easily.
Making a comfortable shoe
For a cosplay shoe you'll likely wear for several hours at a convention, or a LARP boot you'll be running through the woods in, it's important to think about comfort right from the build.
And honestly, it's totally possible to make something comfy! Having tested my pattern myself, I can even say it feels like a slipper. 🙂
Okay, it's not an orthopedic shoe with top-of-the-line arch support, but it holds up really well against a simple summer shoe with a basic sole.
The trick is making sure you have a good sole.
Add an insole
First, at minimum, I recommend putting a piece of 6mm EVA foam inside (if you're not familiar with EVA foam, check out my article on the topic). It already adds a little layer of softness under your foot and makes a noticeable difference when you're wearing your shoes for a long time. Don't glue your insole to the bottom of your shoe. That way, you can swap it out if it gets too flattened.
But if you want even more comfort, add a shaped insole on top of that. This type of insole works perfectly. It adds more tailored arch support and boosts comfort.
Add heel support
*After testing the shoes more than once, I found that adding an extra layer of EVA foam at the heel only really helps with long-term comfort. No need to add it everywhere: just a little extra layer under the heel can make a surprising difference.
Making sturdy shoes
For this part, it'll depend on you and your choice of fabric. The parts most likely to take a beating are the seams and the sole.
Reinforce the seams
Choose a good thread, to make sure it holds up, even in the areas that get a lot of stress. You can even go over your seams twice to make sure nothing comes loose. It's a small step that can make a big difference for the durability of your boots.
Reinforce the outsole
And to make sure you don't wear through the sole in record time, I recommend a rubber outsole. This type of rubber sheet sole is perfect. It's great because, since it comes in a sheet, you can cut out whatever shape you need. It gives more rigidity to the bottom of your boot, and protects the fabric (and your foot).
Make sure to glue it on well! You wouldn't want to lose your soles in the middle of a LARP event, right? A quick sanding on both surfaces (the bottom of the shoe and the underside of the sole), plus a good glue (I use E6000, but any flexible industrial glue will do the job) are essential for making sure your sole sticks well to your shoe.
Making the right fabric choice
There are several fabrics that can work for making cosplay or LARP shoes and boots. Personally, I really like leather. But there are other really interesting options too.
Leather
If your budget allows it, leather is hard to beat. It's a sturdy, durable material that performs particularly well for shoemaking. For LARP, it's a must-have to give your costume an authentic look.
Watch out! There are a lot of leather options out there. Thickness, flexibility, and tanning type will have a big impact on how easy the leather is to work with. For boots, I'd generally go with a leather that's flexible enough to sew and handle easily, but sturdy enough to hold its shape well.
| If you want to learn more about leather, I recommend the Intro to Leatherworking Guide, available in my shop. |
Faux leather
But if you can't (or don't want to) use real leather, I recommend upholstery-grade faux leather with a bit of stretch (I'm talking about roughly 15% stretch). It's a great alternative for a less expensive cosplay boot.
It holds up really well. It sews fairly easily. And the stretch adds comfort (and makes fitting easier). Plus, it's pretty sturdy as a fabric (especially if you choose a faux leather designed for upholstery rather than a very thin one meant for clothing).
The other big advantage is that faux leather is generally much easier to find in small quantities and in a wide variety of colors and finishes. If you're looking for a specific texture to recreate a character's boots, it can really give