Making a matching bag and shoes 🌟

I've been eyeing up getting some of the gorgeous 'Ace Animal Print Denim' from Fabric Godmother for a little while now and I finally got my hands on some!

When it arrived, I actually realised I had more than enough for a couple of different projects 🌟 Soooo... I decided to grab our 2 free patterns and make myself a matching bag and shoes 😉

Download the patterns here:

Watch the full tutorials below:

Leopard print Ballet Pumps:

Leopard print Triangle Tote Bag:

Now let's break down both projects step by step 🌟

I'll start with the ballet pumps:

Step 1: Trace out your Ballet Pump Pattern onto your chosen upper material and your lining. For the lining I always love to use the 'Ballet' Leather from GH Leathers. Always remember to flip the pattern for left and right feet.

Step 2: Cut out all of your pattern pieces. You should have 2 upper pieces and 2 lining pieces.

Step 3: If you're using a fabric like I am, you'll need to fold the topline to make sure that the fabric doesn't fray. The folding allowance is marked on the pattern and I just use water based glue to do this step.

Step 4: Sew up your back seams - the seam allowance are marked on the pattern so be sure to refer to this if you're unsure. I always then open up my seams with water based glue to make sure they're laying flat.

Step 5: Stitch your uppers and your linings together as close to the edge as you can. I use a Janome HD9 Sewing Machine for my shoemaking projects but most domestic flat bed machines should do the trick - top tip: switch your needle out for a denim needle.

Step 6: You can then grab your flat shoemaking lasts and begin the lasting process. First you'll need to tape your insole to the bottom of your last.

Step 7: Place a strip of water based shoemaking glue around the edge of your insole board and the edge of your lining layer. Last the lining layer.

Step 8: Insert your toe puff stiffener and counter stiffener. These will help the shoes to hold their shape once the shoemaking lasts are removed. You can then last the upper layer over the stiffeners.

Step 9: Use solvent based glue to cover the bottom of the shoe and the pre-made sole of the shoe. Give these a decent dry time until they become tacky to the touch.

Step 10: Press the pre-made sole onto the shoe. Once you've added your comfy padded insocks - the shoes are done!

Now let's move onto the bag:

Step 1: Trace out your Triangle Bag Sewing Pattern onto your outer body fabric and your lining fabric. I like to do a seam down the front of my outer body but have no seam on my lining piece.

Step 2: Once you've cut out your pieces you should have 4 pieces for your outer body and 2 lining pieces.

Step 3: Stitch together the front seam of the outer body. Then stitch the base closed and both sides closed.

Step 4: Stitch together the base of the lining. Stitch one side fully closed. Stitch the other side closed - leaving a gap in the middle so that we can eventually turn the bag the right way round through this hole once everything is stitched together.

Step 5: Put the outer body of the bag (turned the right way around) inside the lining of the bag. The right sides of the fabrics should be touching.

Step 6: Stitch the outer body and lining together at the topline.

Step 7: Turn everything the right way around through the hole left in the lining. Stitch this hole closed and also stitch along the topline to finish it nicely.

Step 8: Stitch on your handle or straps - and the bag is done!