Georgian Era Shoes Papercraft

Shoes can tell a lot about history – whether the wearer was ordinary or wealthy or in good or poor health. Shoes from years gone by oftentimes spark these questions – who wore it, who made it, and why did they wear it? To church, to work, a dance, or an exceptional occasion like a wedding. Or in the case of Marie Antoinette, her public execution.

Shoes from 1700-1880s were straight lasted – meaning no difference between left or right and were not mass produced. They were very much a luxury item and passed down to others as inheritance gifts. Most everyday shoes did not survive sadly, so we only have the most extraordinary shoes to study. Men wore the majority of heeled shoes; to show height dominance but it became common for women to have kitten heels in our era. By the advent of the Regency Era women’s shoes changed in style from heels to the equivalent of today’s ballet pumps, much lighter in substance and fastened with ribbons.

Swap: send your one (1) partner a flat Regency-styled slipper (no heels). Decorate lovingly but do keep the embellishments flat & soft. This will allow for cheap postage. Avoid buttons or fat gems because it will drastically increase your postage costs (esp USPS patrons). You may use the shoe template provided or use any you find online. Adjust the size to fit inside your envelope but please do not make it smaller than a note card. These will make a nice tuck-in for our journals if you wish. Don’t forget to write a short note in your character's voice chatting about 'your shoe'

Here are the links you will need but feel free to google “Marie Antoinette shoes swap” for some truly spectacular inspiration.

• Paper Crafting Tutorial Elegant Shoe video

• shoe jpg template

• photo example

• Shoe1 example only jump to 4:20 to avoid the waffling

• Shoe2 jump to 1:08

• Anna Griffin Paper Shoes - finished examples

Ideas for shoes (I'm sure you'll make more):

• attach paper clip to back and clip in your journal.

• attach tab to the side, use the back as a journal note.

• attach ribbon to hang as an ornament for your Georgian Christmas tree.

• Punch a hole, add curling ribbon, to/from & use as a gift tag.

• Pretty bookmaker for your favorite Jane Austen.

• Glue to cardstock and make your own set of notecards.

• Tuck in a note & goodies and send to your friends.

• Party favors for your next tea party or even use it as the party invitation.

• Bridal shower/wedding favor, prom favors, dance recital favors (think Cinderella).

• Make different shoes for holidays – loads of cute Halloween / Christmas / Valentine shoes on Pinterest.

• Other resources: check out the post in our forum I provided 6/2023 about a book & video called “Treasures Afoot - Georgian Era Shoes”

Please message me if the links don't work for you or if you have questions. It is my first swap hosted in this lovely group so I may be overzealous and omit a detail here or there. Short sign up, long create time.