A method of manufacturing an article may include positioning a first textile sheet against a second textile sheet and reciprocating a single needle of an embroidery machine through the first textile sheet and the second textile sheet, the needle forcing fibers of the second textile sheet through the first textile sheet. The fibers may have terminal ends extending outward of an exterior side of the first textile sheet through which the fibers are forced. A method may include forcing fibers from a second side to an opposite side of a single textile sheet to create a pattern of the fibers on the opposite side. Various articles such as footwear uppers may be manufactured according to the method.

A shoe accessory system and methods can include: an accessory connector having a male accessory mount and a female accessory mount: the male accessory mount including a base, a protrusion mounted above the base, an outwardly protruding lip extending from the protrusion, the outwardly protruding lip having a slope extending down toward an abutment, and the female accessory mount having inwardly extending flanges, the inwardly extending flanges extend in toward a center of the female accessory mount, the inwardly extending flanges spaced apart allowing the protrusion to fit therebetween; a shoe affixed to the male accessory mount; and an accessory affixable to the female accessory mount for allowing the accessory to be placed over the male accessory mount, pressed down, and twisted to lock the accessory onto the shoe.

A shoe accessory system and methods can include: an accessory connector having a male accessory mount and a female accessory mount: the male accessory mount including a base, a protrusion mounted above the base, an outwardly protruding lip extending from the protrusion, the outwardly protruding lip having a slope extending down toward an abutment, and the female accessory mount having inwardly extending flanges, the inwardly extending flanges extend in toward a center of the female accessory mount, the inwardly extending flanges spaced apart allowing the protrusion to fit therebetween; a shoe affixed to the male accessory mount; and an accessory affixable to the female accessory mount for allowing the accessory to be placed over the male accessory mount, pressed down, and twisted to lock the accessory onto the shoe.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled with the sole structure. The upper has a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The closure includes a closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the first side portion of the upper and the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the unitary closure panel. A selective and reusable fastener is further provided to couple the closure panel to the second side panel of the upper.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled with the sole structure. The upper has a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The closure includes a closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the first side portion of the upper and the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the unitary closure panel. A selective and reusable fastener is further provided to couple the closure panel to the second side panel of the upper.

A child's shoe sizing kit, system, and method are disclosed. The kit includes a variety of shoe sizers, or cut out templates of a foot sized in a variety of sizes. The kit includes whole and half sizes shoe sizers for: Infant, Baby Walker, Toddler, Little Kid, and Big Kid. The kit would have the size on each sizer also marked with Left and Right. Each kit of sizers would come in a small clear carrying bag with handle for easy transport to stores. The child steps down on the sizers to determine which size the child's foot is. Select the sizer which fits the size and shape of the child's foot. Take the correct sizer that matches the child's foot and place it inside of a shoe. Place your hand in the shoe to feel where the sizer ends compared to where the shoe ends.

A footwear construction for an infant includes an upper having a medial panel that transitions to a heel closure flap and a lateral panel with a fin that transitions a minor upstanding wall around a heel of the footwear. The heel closure flap is operable in a closed mode, in which it overlaps the minor upstanding wall such that no vertical gap is formed therebetween in the heel region and secures the footwear on an infant foot, and in an open mode, in which the flap is distal from the fin and the minor upstanding wall to expose a heel opening so that the infant foot can be placed in a void of the footwear, passing at least partially through the heel opening in the open mode. A related method of use also is provided.

A footwear construction for an infant includes an upper having a medial panel that transitions to a heel closure flap and a lateral panel with a fin that transitions a minor upstanding wall around a heel of the footwear. The heel closure flap is operable in a closed mode, in which it overlaps the minor upstanding wall such that no vertical gap is formed therebetween in the heel region and secures the footwear on an infant foot, and in an open mode, in which the flap is distal from the fin and the minor upstanding wall to expose a heel opening so that the infant foot can be placed in a void of the footwear, passing at least partially through the heel opening in the open mode. A related method of use also is provided.

A flexible foot abduction apparatus allowing movement in a horizontal and vertical plane with an elongated member made of a shape memory material. The elongated bar is shaped such that it has both vertical and horizontal aspects to allow a user to more easily manipulate the apparatus in one or both planes. The elongated member has an original shape which can be selectively forced into a second shape by a user and then return to the original shape.

A flexible foot abduction apparatus allowing movement in a horizontal and vertical plane with an elongated member made of a shape memory material. The elongated bar is shaped such that it has both vertical and horizontal aspects to allow a user to more easily manipulate the apparatus in one or both planes. The elongated member has an original shape which can be selectively forced into a second shape by a user and then return to the original shape.