Stitches

Is it possible to acquire patterns for chinese bound foot shoes? I am trying to make a pair for research?

I am writing a research paper on the custom of footbinding in China, and even though I have found a lot of books and images, I would like a pattern to make a pair to accompany my paper and have bought samples of Chinese silks, satins and silk embroidery thread

Public Comments

1. As foot-binding was outlawed in China, you will find it difficult to find someone in the Chinese community who has retained a pattern. I should imagine most women burnt them with an amazing degree of satisfaction. I think your best bet is to approach the Chinese Embassy and ask their Information Officer if he could recommend a museum who could help you. Also, it might be worth your while repeating the question in the Society & Culture category of Yahoo Answers. Good luck with your research paper.
2. I couldn't find any patterns for those beautiful shoes for painfully disfigured feet, but I found two books that might help. Beverley Jackson's "Splendid Slippers" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898159571/102-3005938-1524962?v=glance&n=283155 (She has spent 25 years studying footbinding and the shoes. You may be able to contact her for a pattern if it is not in the book, as she makes them herself) "The author did an in-depth research about the three-inch golden lily, including the procedures of footbinding and how to make a lotus shoe." and Dorothy Ko's "Every Step a Lotus: Shoes for Bound Feet": http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520232844/102-3005938-1524962?v=glance&n=283155 I found, researching this, that the slippers were often embroidered by the ladies themselves, and that they also hired master craftsmen to make the heels (filled with fragrances, etc) and soles. I hope this is helpful.