November 2008 Martha | Felt Slippers

As a lover of all things November, this month's Martha Stewart Living was an extraordinary issue. The pictures alone were enough to throw me into a pre-Thanksgiving tizzy, the likes of which are rivaled only by my pure elation and excitement of listening to Christmas music. Turkeys, stuffing, pilgrim villages... it was all in there.

Rest assured, I plan on forcing some of Martha's recipes unto my dear mother who is hosting our family's Thanksgiving festivities this year. However, I couldn't resist the felt slipper craft found on page 104. Apart from a few times in grade school or summer camp, my experience with felt is limited. And so, as an aspiring crafter, I was delighted to give it the old college try. I printed out the templates, enlarged them to my shoe size, and got out my trusty scissors.

Though they were a small exercise in patience, I think they turned out well and look so pretty! I made the original pair based on the template's suggested enlargements ratios which were a bit off, so I gave them to my friend Amy whose feet fit the bill. If you typically wear an 8.5, base your template on size 10.5. Also be sure to secure the back seam of the slipper with several rounds of a zig-zag stitch, as one swipe of the machine will not render a very secure heel.

Click here to link to the directions and templates needed. They're not super warm and toasty, but they are easy on the eyes.