Required materials

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Materialien
  • red and white craft felt

  • checked fabric scraps

  • craft glue (should be suitable for fabrics) or fabric glue

  • red and white thread

  • red and checked fabric ribbons

  • polyester stuffing

  • pins, sewing needle or sewing machine

  • craft scissors (for cutting threads and ribbons), craft mat, pen, ruler, clothespins or craft clips

  • for decorating: fabric paints in gold and silver (only necessary if you want to decorate the boots)

for parents:

  • fabric scissors

tips for parents

This craft idea is suitable for all children and can be carried out easily with a little help. Idea 1 is suitable for younger children, since the felt boots are glued together. The fabric boots are sewn together either with a sewing machine or by hand (Idea 2). Help your children when cutting out the boots. You should use fabric scissors, because only these cut clean edges. However, they are often a bit cumbersome, so we recommend that you cut the boots and the boot cuff for your children.

Crafting instructions

First, with the help of your parents download the pattern for the Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) boot, print it out and cut it out.

Idea 1: Make felt boots (for younger children)

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Vorlage abmalen

Pin the boot pattern to the red felt. The pattern for the cuff goes on the white felt. Ask your parents to cut each one out twice. Then you can prepare the ribbon for the loop: cut off 10 to 20 cm, depending on how long you want the loop to be. In the photos the finished loop is about 10 cm long.

First glue the two red boot pieces together. This gives the felt boot more stability and makes it look better.

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Socken doppelt legen

Then apply glue to the top edge of the boot – only to the area of the cuff. Then place one end of the ribbon on the glue at the back of the boot. After that press the white cuff onto it.

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Weißerer Stiefel-Rand

Turn the felt boot over and apply glue again to the top edge of the boot. Now also apply glue to the protruding edges of the cuff. Then place the second end of the ribbon on the glue at the back of the boot. After that press the white cuff onto it.

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Wäscheklammern

Secure the corners of the felt boot to dry with clips (or pins).

Idea 2: Make fabric boots (for older children)

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Vorlage auf Stoff

Pin the pattern for the boot to the red felt. The pattern for the cuff goes on the white felt. Ask your parents to cut each one out twice. Then you can prepare the ribbon for the loop: cut off 10 to 20 cm, depending on how long you want the loop to be. In the photos the finished loop is about 10 cm long. First glue the two red boot pieces together. This gives the felt boot more stability and makes it look better.

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Stoffe zusammen nähen

Now sew the two fabric boot pieces together with a 1 cm seam allowance. If the fabric has a right side (the pattern is clearly visible here), then place that side inside. So it will be sewn on the inside. You can sew either with a sewing machine or with small hand stitches. For this boot size it takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how fast you can already sew.

Turn the finished boot right side out and stuff it with some polyester stuffing. Then place the white pieces for the cuff on the top edge on the right and left and pin them in place. Then put both ends of the ribbon into the cuff and secure it with its own pin.

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Geschenkanhänger

Sew the cuff close to the edge. Make sure the loop is securely sewn in. And the fabric boot is done … and can be hung on a gift.

Nikolaus-Stiefel basteln | Fertige Socken

If you like, decorate the boots with fabric paints: snowflakes, stars or dots look nice.

Downloadable craft template