36. Make a pair of shoes

So there are many many types of shoes that I could make, but given that I am attempting to do several foot-related challenges on this list, I am going to try and make some costume shoes that fit as well as my hokas.

So the closest I can make to something similar to the insane foam stacks on my Bondi 9 running shoes are the renaissance chopines, these unbelievable stacked slippers that are the precursor to high heels. I also want to make sure they have the foundation stability of the hokas, so the flared bottom of the chopines is actually perfect for that. However, the common folk wouldn't have worn chopines so I have to make a decision. Either make chopines and wear my gold (heavy) gown, or attempt to make a version of renaissance turnshoes that look like they are having an identity crisis.

Turnshoes it is.

So what is a turnshoe, you might ask? In the renaissance, they did not have a left and right shoe. Just shoes. Most people had two feet, so you wore two shoes. They were sewn to the sole inside out and then turned so that the seam was on the inside, making a nice finish on the outside. Soft leather, and relatively watertight since the seams were stitched pretty tightly. I need to put some crazy soles on these, so making these real turnshoes isn't going to be an option. Instead I will need to shape the sole and then glue them onto the "upper" part of the shoe. I am going to be using insoles (probably from a pair of my older hokas) so that it has a better fit. So aside from sourcing some materials, I am going to need to make a fabric pattern, and then cut and sew it in leather. All before the end of September when I have tickets to go to the Maryland Renaissance faire. Wish me luck!