If you are new or seasoned at making boot/ shoe covers for your costume, you’ll be able to appreciate the method used here. It may look confusing or difficult but trust me, this is by far the easiest and most effective way to make them that I have tried.  Most tutorials  will have you cut out paper patterns and cut out sections of fabric to match or wrap fabric around your leg and secure (messy). This way casts a mold without the mess of plaster and with common household items, which you then use to cover with your fabric.
You can use this tutorial to not only make boot/shoe covers, but also, arm pieces and spats.

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arms                        

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This tutorial basically applies to anything that requires a body fitting form. If you’ve been following these tutorials, you’ll even remember this method being used in my armor tutorial.
Since I do not have photos of this procedure with any of my costumes, I found one for you that follows the same method I do. This one was done by Kimba616 on Deviantart. Click the image below to enlarge.

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What you have above is how to make a complete boot out of an old shoe and fabric. To make spats or boot covers that don’t cover the whole shoe, follow the same procedure as above without your shoe on and cut your “cast” where you want your covers to end over your shoe (when you end up putting them together). If you’re making short, loose spats, a button (or two) or some ribbon is all that is needed to secure them. If you are making high or tight covers, then be sure to sew on an elastic band on the bottom (from cover to sole, or under heel of boot). This will keep it in place on the bottom.

The best fabric for boot covers that are form fitting, especially ones that go over the knee is any fabric with stretch. Some costumes may just be begging for vinyl, or other shiny, non-stretchy material. Take it from me though, its going to be one giant headache to deal with. My sister dressed as Dr. Mrs. The Monarch for Baltimore Comic Con last year and it took her several hours over a couple of days to get her shiny yellow boot covers to fit. Not only would they not stay up, they had little to no give, so it was hard getting the right shape. It was not fun for her (or me having to hear her woes and how much she wanted to give up). Do yourself a favor, get pliable material. If you must use vinyl, be sure it’s 4 way stretch vinyl to help yourself out a lot.
The allowance (extra fabric deliberately not cut off just in case it’s too tight) should be no less than 1 1/2 inches.

If you’re thinking of adding a zipper (which would have actually worked a lot better with the choice to go with vinyl for the Dr. Mrs. boot covers) and haven’t sewn on a zipper before, here’s a quick and easy video that should be able to help.

If you have any questions about this tutorial, feel free to ask in the comments below or reach out to me on Twitter.

Tabatha LeStrange
Often times referred to as Optimus Prime, Tabatha LeStrange is a machine. A ghost machine.
Catch her if you can on Twitter @BD_Danger
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