I just made myself a pair of slippers, I bought a kit at a show last year and they’ve been sitting on my to do pile ever since with my fluffy pair getting more and more shabby – not helped by me nipping up the garden in them!
The kit includes the soles and the pattern, together with the instructions. They’re designed by Gertie Lau of Mushroom Village Crafts and are called Wrap Slippers.
The instructions include how to make a pair from little hexagons too, they look really pretty but as you know I haven’t really got the patience for mini hexagons, so I chose some pretty quilting cottons instead. The first job was to quilt the fabrics, I did a sort of check pattern with the butterflies in the squares for the top and some swirls or wiggles for the soles, I managed to fussy-cut the soles so I had a butterfly on each one.
Each slipper is made from two pieces which then overlap to give the shape. The edges were bound with bias, I happened to have some really pretty bias binding in my stash which was an impulse buy at a show, the colours don’t match perfectly but it does have purple flowers on it which was good enough for me during lockdown!
The instructions were well written and straight forward, the only bit I changed slightly was the size of the bias binding which goes round the sole, once the 1/4″ bias was stitched round the top it was flipped over and hand-stitched underneath, I found it easier with a slightly wider bias, still the same size on top but more to stitch underneath.
When it came to the last stage, stitching the slipper onto the sole I realised I had a bit of an issue, my kit had two left feet!! I couldn’t remember which company I’d bought the kit from so I found the kits on line and messaged the maker. Gertie was very apologetic and popped a right foot in the post straight away. I was a bit concerned as it was an American site I’d found her on, so I wasn’t sure how long it would take, especially at the moment. Luckily they were actually coming from the Midlands here in the UK! My replacement came within days.
To stitch on the sole you first have to make a row of holes round the rim with an awl. The instructions then say glue the slipper on first, I admit I missed that bit off as wanted a bit of leeway if it wasn’t right. At first I really struggled with the stitching. I used a big chenille needle with some top-stitching thread, the slippers are stitched on using a stab-stitch, so you go up and down the same hole of the sole. This is where the difficulty was, trying to get back down the hole, as my needle kept trying to start another one. I then had the idea of using the blunt end of the needle to go through the sole, it worked brilliantly, I just kept flicking between the sharp end to go through the fabric and the blunt end to go through the sole.
I was really chuffed with my slippers, they fit well, they’re comfortable. I showed them to my OH and he said ‘Shouldn’t the flap be the other way round, with the buttons on the outside?”
Oops!
I still really like my slippers, I’ll certainly make another pair when I’ve worn these out.
thecraftycreek 
Tell that husband that yours are unique and it is design feature- they look great- are they comfy? No paddling in the garden though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They look just fine as they are – no ‘should’ or ‘ought to’ necessary. You can have them whichever way you like!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So agree with Cathy, above!
Also wanted to let you know, if you want another pair… someone in my family had a go, in years long past, with leather work. When stitching they used 2 needles and very strong thread. Can’t remember how they did it, but it seemed simple enough, and gave added strength. Might look it up if you decide to do a leather sole someday. Stay well! xx 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super cute and I love your material choice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The slippers are cute, Margaret! So what if they button to the inside! Ha, ha!
I also wear my slippers when I am out gardening. I know I shouldn’t, but they are comfy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is there no end to your talents? These are so pretty, Margaret, and I love the butterfly on the base. I often wear my slippers in the garden, because I just slip out thinking “I will just do this particular thing” and find myself wandering further.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like these. You always go the extra mile, like making sure the butterflies are centered just so on the soul. I think OH might be right. you might click the buttons together when you are padding around. I want to make some too. Just picking out the material would scare me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
what gorgeous fabrics, and how chuffed you must be to have made your first pair of slippers! I’m very impressed and, since the buttons are only there for decorative reasons, does it matter which side they are?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s just the sort of thing I’d do – and just the sort of thing my OH would point out immediately too.
Just had a look at her Etsy shop and quite fancy the kit for the ones with the stretchy back but, unfortunately, the £10 postage to France make them a bit pricey. I’ll have to wait until my ‘mule’ starts travelling between the UK and France again – if that’s going to be a ‘thing’ ever again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That does seem a bit steep for postage! Hopefully your ‘mule’ will be back on his travels soon 🙂
LikeLike
Love them! Even with the individual design feature! And I want that fabric! If you follow my blog you will know I’m a moth nut and those are garden tiger moths on the insoles, beautiful. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely fabric, it’s by Lewis and Irene from their range called Winter Garden.
LikeLike
Cute project. Well done. I kind of agree with hubby though – should the flap go the other way? Not that it matters as long as they are comfy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was a bit of an oops, but they’re comfortable 🙂
LikeLike
We don’t mind oopsies here – all friends! I know I make them often and sometimes even work them so they look deliberate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is what my DH would notice too! 😆 they look great to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great pair of slippers!! Buttons on the inside make them extra uniquely yours!!❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
You made them, they can look however you like! 😃 I should add these to my list… very pretty!
LikeLiked by 2 people