Supplies for making fuzzy bunny slippers from recycled felted sweaters:
- Kathy’s free bunny slipper pattern
- One felted wool sweater (mine was an old green 100% wool sweater)
- One piece of cream wool felt
- One piece of pink felt
- Black embroidery thread and hand sewing needle
- Grip stop fabric for slipper bottom (cotton fabric with little non-slip rubber circle grippers)
- Thread
- Pins
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine
- How to make fuzzy bunny slippers from recycled felted sweaters
Two felt sweaters: Felt and recycle old wool sweaters by machine washing them in hot water and drying in the dryer. They should shrink and thicken up. I felted two 100% wool sweaters and decided to use the green.
Cut out Side 1 and Side 2 slipper upper pieces out of the felted wool (be sure the wool is smooth before cutting, my edges were a little curly). Place Side 2 right side up on your table. Cut one bunny tail out of cream wool felt. Place the bunny tail on the back side of Side 2 about one inch from the bottom edge.
Sandwich the bunny tail by placing the Right Side piece on top, right sides together.
Pin the back seam and the top seam, leaving the bottom and foot opening unpinned and unsewn.
Sew back seam and top seam using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat this for the other slipper.
Make and attach the bunny’s cute little face
Cut two faces from cream wool felt.
Cut four cream bunny ears.
Cut two inner bunny ears out of pink felt.
Place the pink inner ear on top of the cream bunny ears.
Sew down the center of the ear to secure the pink felt to the cream felt – the pink will be open on both sides and that’s OK, that’s how I like it.
Pinch the bottom edge of the ear and sew a few stitches close to the bottom edge of the ear to make a little pleat – this will help the ears stick up more on the finished slipper.
Cut out a pink nose and place on the bunny face. Using a water-soluble fabric pen, trace around a small button (or draw a circle freehand) for two eyes.
Fill in the eyes using a satin stitch embroidery thread and a back stitch. Repeat to make the second bunny face.
Take one bunny face, two ears and one slipper upper.
Pin the bunny face on top of the slipper, slipping the ears between the two layers about 1/4″.
Sew across the top of the bunny face close to the edge to secure the bunny face and ears to the slipper.
Stitch around the perimeter of the face to secure it all around – it will make it easier to attach the sole later.
Turn the slipper inside out and set aside. Repeat for the other slipper.
Make and attach the slipper’s non-slip sole
Cut out two inside soles from felted wool sweaters. You’ll want to cut one with the arch facing to the left, then flip the pattern upside down and cut out one with the arch facing to the right.
Repeat to cut out two bottom soles from the grip stop fabric so you have one with the arch facing to the left, then flip the pattern upside down and cut out one with the arch facing to the right.
Place the bottom sole (grip stop fabric) face down on your table. Lay the inner wool sole on top, right side up, matching arches.
Pin together placing pins on the grip stop fabric side.
Baste together very close to the edge – it will make it easier to attach the sole later. And here’s a tip: Place a piece of paper underneath your presser foot to keep the little rubber circle grippers on the fabric from gripping onto your presser foot. Nice, huh?
When it’s all sewn, you’ll have the grippers on the sole bottom with a nice soft felted wool sole inside to keep your feet cozy.
Now you’re going to attach the sole to the slipper. Pin the middle back first – middle of the sole pinned to the back seam of the slipper upper.
Then move to the front – pinch the sole in the half to find its center.
Pin together, placing pins on the slipper upper side (rather than on the sole side).
It will look like this:
Sew around to attach at a 1/4″ seam.
I used both a straight stitch at a 1/4″ seam plus a zigzag stitch and I think it looks pretty professional if I do say so myself.
Turn right side out.
You can use a bone folder to help push out the seams.
Attach slipper cuff
Now make the cuff. Cut out two cuffs from the sweater ribbing.
Fold in half, right sides together, and sew a 1/4″ seam to make a circle.
Turn right side out.
Stuff the cuff inside the top of the slipper, ribbing side down, so that the raw edges meet. Pin.
You can see that it’s all tucked inside.
Sew at a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Pull the cuff straight up…
…then fold it in half to hide the stitches. Repeat for the other slipper. You’re done.
Slip on the slippers and stay warm and cozy all winter.
- See more at: http://www.merrimentdesign.com/fuzzy-bunny-slippers-from-recycled-felted-sweaters-for-kids-free-slipper-pattern.php#sthash.M9JaDh8n.dpuf
Ms . Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteThe slippers will be a good seller . I showed it to my sister , Dora , she like the idea , now to get Mrs. Carono to okay the buying of sweater material , (she will say , oh Della you are in charge )we will have to buy the sweater and sweater ribbing material , because we will have to make them in bulk , especially for the flea market .
Ms. Carano was in her office and asked me to take a look , she is spending more time here and I am so glad . She asked me to ask Mr. Carano to make pictures so she could make patterns in different sizes .
Thank you so very much keep warm .
Hello Della,
ReplyDeleteMrs Carano will okay anything you ask for. She thinks you do an awesome job.
I hope the slippers do well for you. It sure is the right time of year for them. I could use a cozy pair of slippers up here right now. I don't know how you will work out the sizes but I have confidence In you too.
You are most welcome. Take care,
Jeannie
Ms. Jeannie ,
ReplyDeleteThe sizes is very easy to figure out . The first slipper pattern you gave me , Mrs. Carano and I went to a shoe store and measured the different shoe sizes . She really makes things seem so easy and simple . We also have men shoe sizes . I have different animal faces , I know they will do Nanook well . Thanks again .
Hi Della,
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to go to the shoe store. Mrs Carano is a genius when it comes to making anything with fabrics. She is an awesome clothes designer too.
I would love to see the slippers with a different animal face.
I know you guys will do a great job.
Jeannie