what are these?
 

found them in a sewing cabinet I bought and not sure what they are

They look like shoe stretchers to me. Don't know why they would be in a sewing machine cabinet, but, oh well:)

You would just place the triangle part into the toe of the shoe and then there should be a way of stretching it out of widening that piece.

I believe those are shoe stretchers.

You put them in your shoes to keep them in shape - mostly for men,s shoes. Some call them shoe trees.

Kitty

They are shoe trees. Very old fashioned and are used to keep the shape of the shoe not to actually stretch the shoe. Remember way back when you kept a pair of shoes and had them resoled, re leathered, new heals. Those days are long gone. I remember using cletes on my shoes. They sounded so cool.
peace

Yes, the others are right. These are shoe trees used to keep shoes in proper shape while they live in the closet.

I always called them shoe stretchers - haven't seen them in years.

First thing came to my mind was "shoe horns". I see the others are calling them shoe stretchers...either way you say it, that is their reason for being. Hang on to them...Not only very useful, but a nice antique...

My dh uses wooden versions of these "shoe trees" in his work shoes. He buys only leather shoes with leather soles for work (and gets them re-soled once or twice before demoting them to work-around-the-house shoes).

ITA shoe trees/stretches
Perhaps they were in the sewing cabinet, and had been used inside a sock when darning.
And too, maybe it was just somewhere to put them, when someone didn't think they should throw them out!