Saturday, February 9, 2013

Slippers!

I picked up the Spring 2013 Stitch magazine last Monday, largely for the slipper pattern. Since I was at Joanns (long story involving a castle project, gray paint, a closed art supply store, and an impending due date), I grabbed the non-skid fabric and some ¼” elastic. The rest could come from my stash.

I dug through my stash, and indeed even had a solid flannel, probably form a Halloween costume over 10 years ago. Time to use that!


 I made the large size, hoping they would be large enough. They do just fit, though they are also too wide. But they are super cute.


The pattern is well written and easy to follow—what a relief after the last few things I have sewn. I learned a bit about the limits of my sewing machine: 10 layers is too many; and working on something curved and small is not a strength. Getting that binding sewn on was a nightmare in the front.

Changes I will make for next time:
• Reduce the width! I have narrow feet but wear off-the-shelf slippers all the time. These are crazy wide, even with socks. And socks make them too short....
• Add a quarter inch too the length. The pattern is only sized up to a 10.
• Sew the binding on before attaching the sole. It will be a lot easier to maneuver this through the machine without the sole on.

Change I made this time: rather than overlap the binding in the back, I left several inches unsewed on each end while I sewed the binding to the front 2/3 of the foot opening. Then I unfolded the part left unsewed and fit it so it was the exact right length, sewed a seam, cut the extra off, ironed the seam and then finished sewing the binding on. This enabled me to match my binding and and back seams.

I'm not sure what to do with the thickness issue. I broke 4 or 5 pins just trying to pin the many layers together, and when sewing the 10 thicknesses through the heel, I broke the top thread repeatedly (after it shredded each time). I even ended up with my machine set to "vinyl", which did help, but did not solve the problem. I used Dual Duty thread for the construction. Interestingly, my sewing machine needle did not break.





What's this?
**Update** After a trip through the washing machine, the quilting has crinkled up and the slippers have shrunken slightly (flannel and cotton had been prewashed; non-skid sole, quilt batting, and interfacing had not been). The width is now perfect, but the slippers are too short. They fit, but I am walking on the heel seam (not comfortable!), and I don't imagine the quilting cotton will hold up for long being walked on. Next time, I will leave the width and add a half inch to the length.

Linked to: Sew Darn Crafty 
                    Sugar Bee Crafts Take a Look Tuesday
                    Fabric Tuesday 
                    Show and Tell Tuesday
                    Show and Tell: Gingerly Made

25 comments:

  1. I thought your slippers looked super cute. So sorry they didn't survive the wash so well.
    Ali x

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    1. They held together, just shrunk a little more than my big feet would like :) I have been wearing them the last 2 days, they are perfect for hardwood floors in winter! I will need to make another pair, but need to buy more flannel first--which means I will have to go shopping! Yippee!

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  2. These look fantastic, thanks for the update, too. It's very helpful.

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  3. As a fellow large-footed gal, these are so cute! I hope you get to make another pair with your adjustments so you'll love wearing them.

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    1. You understand where I am coming from :) I made these with stash fabrics as a muslin, yet I LOVE the fabric now that they are done! I am sure it is OOP now LOL.

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  4. I think your slippers are lovely - the fabric reminds me of chinese lanterns.

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    1. Thank you! I am really liking the fabric :)

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  5. So cute! I love the fabric! I want a pair!!!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
    http://www.usscrafty.blogspot.com/2013/02/submarine-sunday-18.html

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love the fabric much more on these slippers than I do on the skirt I made with it.

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  6. So cute! How fun to walk around the house in fabric shoes!

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  7. Those are super cute! It's one project I want to do "someday."

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    Replies
    1. The pattern is wonderfully written--only some of the manipulating of the pieces was hard. Which could partly be my machine.

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  8. Those are super cute slippers! I am so envious that you sewed those yourself. My sewing skills are definitely outranked by my knitting skills. ;)Good luck with the next pair. :)

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    1. Thank you! I need to find some cute flannel :)

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  9. I just bought that magazine too. 10 layers? Is there a way to reduce the bulk? I'd like to try making a pair. You did a great job

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    Replies
    1. I think using a light batting and very lightweight muslin would make it less bulky--but would also make the slippers less warm and soft! I think my #1 tip to make it easier would be to sew the binding on before putting the upper onto the sole. And maybe try a jeans needle (though my machine needle did not break, but the thread did, several times--Dual Duty). I also used the "vinyl" setting on my machine. It's the heaviest setting I have.

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  10. Cute. I've always been curious about sewing slippers. Glad to hear your experiences with it.

    I'd love if you linked up to my Show & Tell party this week. http://www.gingerlymade.com/2013/02/show-tell-13.html

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  11. Robin, thank you for the invite. I am off to check out your site!

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  12. I bought this magazine just for this pattern, too! I haven't made my slippers yet, though. I need to get the non-skid fabric. It's great to read a review of the pattern!

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  13. I bought the digital edition of the magazine to try to make the slippers, but the template for the pieces is not available for download on the Interweave site the way it was said to be. All the other patterns are there, but the slipper one is not. I tried and tried to find it online, but it does not seem to exist outside the actual paper magazine. :(

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