I have the same deal as Shemjo and Jim's Gem (Gayle)... I have bad feet and must wear sturdy athletic shoes with orthotics or I have much pain.
Since last October, I have been having a bad flare up of my never really gone bilateral plantar fascitis and achilles tendonitis and both of those have caused bone spurs on both feet. I'm using a cane and scooter per dr's orders. I used to live barefooted every summer and even though it was years ago, I can remember the feeling of sewing that way.
Cathy