Wednesday, November 19, 2008

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.

19 comments:

simplicity said...

Seriously you made those on your first try?!?! Mine would have looked nothing like that. Way to go.

Felt is really something I'd like to try though at some point.

Anonymous said...

Wow, those are super cute! What great Christmas presents they would make.

Alissa said...

SO CUTE! Love 'em! Make me wanna go pick up some new felt!

Amy and Andrew said...

I've been wearing them every day. And the felt is surprisingly warm! As I've told you before, I'm happy to benefit from Martha's ratio error!

Kiki said...

Those are really cute! I have never really tried to sew anything...but you inspire me!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!
For the warmth factor, perhaps the inner liner fused to silk or flannel or velvet... ooooh!

Jessica said...

Those slippers turned out great! I just got the December issue today, I can't wait to crack it open!

Lindahl News 2 said...

Martha would be so proud of you!

Maybe one day YOU will be the guest on her show!!

amylouwhosews said...

Yes, I agree, those are darling. Did you use wool felt?

did I tell you that I love Christmas music? I normally wait until the last bite of Thanksgiving pie is in my mouth to turn it on, you've inspired me to start post Halloween! Yay Christmas!

{B}dreamy said...

You're killing me! Those are beautiful and cute to boot :)

PS- thanks for the blog visit! And I did not take that surprisingly artistic bathroom photo... but I like it, too! Hence its placement in my potty training post, haha. *B

TSL said...

those are awesome, and being handmade you are guaranteed to have original and special things not found in every department store

Julie said...

Now those are awesome! Good job! Yet again...so very talented!

Julie

Dana said...

You made that the first time? I don't know if I could make those after 20 attempts!

Anonymous said...

OMG! Those are so entirely adorable! I see you're a Quiltology gal, too!?! Maybe we'll run into each other there and get lost in fabric fun!

Sarah H said...

They're gorgeous! Wow!

Anonymous said...

Those are so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah, They look great. Where do you buy the felt from? Sam xoxox

Anonymous said...

Hello All, Last year I bought several pieces of wool clothing items at low low pricing from a local thrift store. I machine washed & dryed the pieces which created the felted wool. I am going to use this to make my slipper Christmas gifts this year.
Just a suggestion, you can usually find beautiful colors.
Take care!
TRC - Atlanta

Anonymous said...

Wow! These are GREAT, and lookin' to be my family's Xmas gift from me this year. If mine turn out THIS nice, I'll actually gift a set to my mom! Thanks for sharing.