How to Add Removable Fur Lining to Roller Skates

Tongue socks slide right over the tongue on your roller skates. The exact shape will vary between boots so, unfortunately, I don’t have a one size fits all template to share. You’ll need to carefully trace the shape of your tongue to create the tongue sock pattern.

The best way to do this is to remove the laces and pull the tongue out onto a flat surface. You can trace the pattern onto anything. Regular paper works fine but something like newspaper is also acceptable if you want to recycle. You can even trace patterns onto disposable cutting mats for a more permanent and reusable template. In my case, I’m using a sheet of printer paper.

Cut out the pattern.

Place the pattern onto the fabric you want to make your tongue socks out of and trace it. I’m using a water-soluble fabric marker. Be mindful of the fabric grain and make sure to copy the pattern each time with the fabric grain running the same direction. You will need four pieces total.

Cut out each pattern piece allowing at least .5-inches of space around the pattern. This is our seam allowance. You can add more or less but .5-inches is a good rule of thumb and a hard number to use if you’re not sure how much space to add.

Cut out one block of fur for each boot. They should be a hair wider than the pattern pieces but don’t have to be as long. I don’t want the extra fur to make my boots fit tighter, so the fur lining only goes down about 4-inches.

I’m using faux fur cut from a cheap WalMart rug. I use faux fur rugs for all sorts of fur projects from shawls to hats. In my experience, fur rugs tend to shed less than rolls of faux fur from craft departments but it really depends on the quality and source of your textiles. That said, you could always use real fur.

It’s worth noting, this is an optional step. You don’t have to add fur to tongue socks if you just want the tongue to be a fun color but in my case, it was the whole point of creating tongue socks.

Place the fur block between two pattern pieces. The final sock will be flipped inside out so be sure to put the right side of the fabric facing toward the fur block.

Before you pin the pieces together, the fur will need to be brushed to the center. You can do this gently with your hands or using a small comb. Just make sure you don’t have excess fur sticking out from the sides.

I like to pin with sewing pins but you also use clothespins or clips.

Using a machine or one of the hand stitching techniques I mentioned above, stitch the pattern pieces together. A backstitch is an excellent choice for this project (check out my guide on how to do a backstitch to get started).

Cut the corners and any excess seam allowance. Be sure not to cut into any stitches.

This is a good opportunity to hem your tongue socks. I’m not hemming mine as the tongue sock color is solid white like my boot and the cut edge will be obscured by the shoelaces.

However, you should strongly consider hemming the edge if the tongue sock is a contrasting color to your boot. Just turn the right side of the fabric out and stitch all the way around the base.

When everything is stitched together, turn the tongue sock inside out. Be sure to put the fur facing outward.

This step sounds easier than it is. It can help to remove the shoe laces before you begin. I had to roll the top of my tongue like a taquito to get it through the small opening at the bottom but it is definitely doable. I’m using a pair of Impala skates and they are notably thick. I still managed to pull these tongue socks on not once but twice.

Just be patient and carefully work the tongue socks onto your boot.

Now your skates look gorgeous. Get out there and roll to your heart’s content!