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Slippers
========
.. figure:: fabric_slippers.jpg
:align: center
.. only:: html
.. contents::
A simple pair of fabric slippers with a padded sole.
Depending on the materials used, especially that of the sole, these can
be suitable for either indoors or outdoors wear.
As a small project with fiddly curves they are especially suitable for
handsewing, but can of course also be sewn almost completely by machine.
Materials
---------
Fabric
^^^^^^
* ~25 cm canvas or other fabric;
* ~25 cm cotton batting or other padding material (optional).
As the fabric, cotton or linen canvas is a pretty standard choice;
toweling materials can also be used, or fleece for a pair of winter
slippers.
For a more technical look, you can use mesh for the uppers and back; in
that case the sole lining will have to be different, a fast drying but
confortable material like polycotton is a good choice.
For padding, cotton batting or even a few layers of scrap fabric are a
good fit for fabric slippers; for technical ones you can use EVA foam or
a similar material.
Notions
^^^^^^^
* sewing thread to match the fabric;
* strong thread (e.g. thick waxed linen) to attach the soles to the
slippers;
* 1-3 m cotton yarn for cording;
* two soles or sole material that can be cut in the shape provided.
My fiber craft patterns site has `instructions for braided twine soles
<https://fiber-patterns.trueelena.org/feet/braided_twine_soles/index.html>`_
that can be used for fabric slippers.
For technical slippers you can use rubber sole sold in sheet; note that
in that case the padding material will have to be suitable for glueing
the sole to it.
Pattern
-------
Download the pattern: :download:`slipper.val`.
Measurements
^^^^^^^^^^^^
You need to take the following measurements:
``foot_width`` (E01)
at the widest part of the foot;
``foot_lenght`` (E03)
from the back of the heel to the tip of the toes;
``foot_circ`` (E03)
around the widest part of the foot.
The file :download:`foot.vit` has the required measurements.
Pattern
^^^^^^^
``upper_length``
from the point of the toe to the end of the uppers: default is half
the length of the foot;
``back_height``
height of the heel guard at the back;
``sides_height``
height of the heel guard at the sides'
``sewing_allowance``
basic sewing allowance: 1 cm is a good choice, but if you're using
thicker padding materials or more heel layers you may have to
increase it to 2 cm to be able to wrap it around.
Instructions
------------
Cutting
^^^^^^^
Cut two soles and optionally two or more heels (depending on the height
desired) from padding material.
From the fabric cut two soles, two uppers and two backs, the latter two
by placing the small sewing allowance on a fold of the fabric;
for even more precision cut a longer piece of fabric, sew the cording
and then cut away the eccess with more precision.
Note that the allowance given is for one line of cording and needs to be
increased if you want to add more.
Cording
^^^^^^^
.. figure:: 0201-back_side_seams.jpg
:align: center
This picture was taken from an early pair of slippers with a straight
back, sorry. New pictures will be taken if I make another pair with
the current pattern.
Fold the back right sides together, sew the short side seams, clip the
corners and turn inside out.
.. figure:: 0202-cord_in_uppers.jpg
:align: center
.. figure:: 0203-cording_uppers.jpg
:align: center
Put a lenght of cording in the fold of the uppers, carefully sew as
close as possible to the cording with a running stitch; optionally
repeat with two or three total lines of cording.
.. figure:: 0204-cording_back.jpg
:align: center
Put a length of cording in the fold of the back so that it fills the top
snugly, carefully sew as close as possible to the cording with a running
stitch. Here one line of cording is usually enough.
.. tip::
.. figure:: 0204-loop.jpg
:align: center
If you want you can add a loop to the back to be able to hang the
slippers; cut some narrow tape twice as high as the center of the
back (including allowances) plus 2-3 cm, fold it in half and sew it
while cording the back, as well as to the allowances.
Uppers and Backs
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
.. figure:: 0301-sewing_uppers.jpg
:align: center
Align the uppers to the notches of the sole, sew all around the upper
with a backstitch.
.. figure:: 0302-sewing_back.jpg
:align: center
Also align the backs to the remaining part of the sole, sew all around
with a backstitch.
.. figure:: 0303-side_seams.jpg
:align: center
Right sides together, whipstitch the side edges of the back to the fold
of the uppers.
.. note::
if sewing by machine, align the sides of the back to the fold of the
uppers, side by side, and sew from the top with a zig-zag.
Padding
^^^^^^^
Baste the optional heel padding on top of the padding.
.. figure:: 0402-sewing_padding.jpg
:align: center
Pin the sole of the slippers on top of the padding, clip / notch the
allowances and sew them to the padding with a herringbone stitch.
.. note::
even if sewing most of the slippers by machine you will have to do
this step by hand.
Sole
^^^^
.. figure:: 0501-sewing_sole.jpg
:align: center
Using strong thread, sew the sole to the assembled slipper with a blanket
stitch.
.. note::
If using rubber soles you will have to glue them to the slippers
instead. Use a glue suitable for rubber and follow the instructions
on the package.
Gallery
-------
.. figure:: fabric_slippers_top_and_sole.jpg
:align: center
The top and sole of white linen slippers with a braided rope sole.
.. figure:: hiking_slippers_top_and_sole.jpg
:align: center
The slippers made in technical materials: elastic mesh for the uppers
and back, polycotton for the soles, EVA foam for padding, round
elastic in the cording and vibram claw sole.
.. figure:: hiking_slippers.jpg
:align: center
The same slippers, seen from the top.
See Also
--------
* `Blog post on making a pair of linen slippers
<https://blog.trueelena.org/blog/2023/05/04-linen_slippers/index.html>`_
* `Blog post on making a pair of hiking slippers
<https://blog.trueelena.org/blog/2023/05/05-hiking_slippers/index.html>`_
|
