First Pair of Turn Shoes

Having participated in historical reenactment for nearly a decade, I needed footwear for my son's participation in an upcoming show. So I decided to make his first pair of medieval turn shoes.

What Are Turn Shoes?

Turn shoes are named because you make them inside out, wet them, then turn them through. Simple in theory.

While I previously purchased affordable mass-produced turn shoes, the cost-to-use ratio didn't work for children's sizing - kids outgrow clothing quickly.

Pattern Creation

The process started with measuring the foot's widest point and circumference around the ankle and ball of the foot. I created multiple paper iterations, testing the fit before cutting leather pieces. The process required marking stitching holes beforehand to ensure neat assembly.

Construction Challenges

A key difficulty emerged during the turning process - wetting the sewn shoe and inverting it through the opening. For small children's shoes, pointed toes created excessive bunching. My advice: avoid points, especially on small shoes. Use implements like wooden spoons for manipulation.

Lessons Learned

You can't wake up having never made a pair of shoes and expect the first pair you make to be perfect. But you can make a pair of shoes. Treat initial attempts as learning experiences rather than aiming for perfection.