My Version of Ballet Slippers for an American Girl Doll

Santa brought my daughter an American Girl Doll this Christmas.  And of course, along with her came the request for just about all the clothes and accessories in the catalog.  I did offer to buy one outfit, but my naturally frugal nature could not stomach buying anymore than that, especially since I like to sew.  As a result, my project this month has been frantically sewing to dress this expensive addition to our household.  (By the way, I have had a blast doing it!)

One of the outfits she wanted was the ballet outfit- leotard, tutu & slippers. I was able to find a pattern for all but the shoes, so they took a little more thought.  Here is what I was able to come up with.


I traced the dolls foot on stiff interfacing and cut two layers, then cut two of the same shape out of the fabric + 1/4" (one for top & one for the bottom; I did two layers each since the fabric was rather thin). I then cut out the moon shaped piece for the top & the long piece for the heel of the slipper, two each. This is enough for one slipper.

I then sewed 1/4" in on the top & heel pieces, notched the curves & pressed right side out.

I started sewing a piece of 1/8" elastic along the seam of both pieces, stretching the elastic as I sewed.

Gathered with the elastic

I folded & pinned the fabric so the elastic was inside and stitched close to the elastic, stretching the fabric & elastic out flat while I sewed.

Next, I layered the interfacing between the two layers of fabric for the sole of the slipper.  Then I pinned the top (moon shaped) piece on first, with the heel piece going on last, overlapping the ends over the top piece and sewed it all together.   (I serged it because the fabric was unraveling a lot but could have just sewn or zig zagged it.)  

I had to hand sew the ends of the heel pieces to the top so they weren't loose and then I added some ribbon so they laced up like toe slippers.  I have to admit to being rather happy with how they turned out.   (If anyone wants a pattern, I'd be happy to share..)