Felt Button Slippers
bright felt button for a fun bit of color and voila, these slippers were born! I am a huge fan projects like this, a clear simple idea that comes together in a flash so I’m really excited to share these. –Molly
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Molly Schnick. Click here to see even more of Molly’s work!
Materials
To make one pair of slippers
- Two 12-inch squares of 5mm Natural Wool Felt (Please Note: unfortunately, the 5mm Felt is discontinued and we currently do not sell a thickness of felt appropriate for this project.)
- One packet of two Large Felt Buttons in Green
- Yellow Tailor’s Chalk
- 100% cotton thread in colors 1140 (ecru) and 7880 (kelly green)
- A Felt Slipper Template, download and print at this link, tape together, and cut out
Note: These slippers were made to fit a size 8 1/2 woman’s foot. You can shrink or blow up the pattern to get the size you want on a copy machine.
Cutting
Trace the template onto one of the felt pieces with the tailor’s chalk.
Carefully cut out the shape.
Repeat for the second slipper.
Flip one of the shapes over and orient it so that you have a left and a right slipper. The foot shape of the left slipper will curve slightly to the right and the right slipper will curve slightly to the left as shown above.
Finishing the Slippers
For the left slipper lay the left flap over right flap with a 3-inch overlap. Pin the flaps in place with their sides lining up on top of one another. Try on the slipper and tighten or loosen the flaps as necessary.
Sew the flaps to one another with a few tacking stitches at the point where you will place your button using the ecru thread.
Then, to secure the flaps together take a shallow stitch from the inside of the top flap at the middle of the overlap. This stitch should just stay within the width of the felt, and not poke through to the other side of the felt.
Then take the same kind of shallow stitch from the other flap. Pull the thread and the stitches should pull the flaps together and be invisible. Stitch around the perimeter of the overlap with these kind of invisible stitches securing the flaps together.
Place one of the buttons in the middle of the flaps and sew it on through both flap layers using the kelly green thread.
To make the right slipper repeat this process but place the right flap over the left in the first step and you’ll be all done!
Update 2024: You can explore our current collection of beautiful fabrics and supplies on our page of Sewing Tools + Notions!
aren’t they a little slippery on hardwood floors?
I am wondering how we might create a non-slip sole for any felted slipper. Perhaps something could be attached?
Hi Deborah!
Thank you for your question. We suggest using some puff paint like another commenter mentioned, or some hot glue in dots to help create a non-slip sole. Alternatively, you can try typing, “non-slip sole” into your favorite search engine to see some ideas for attachments!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
This is a great idea to leave for guests when they visit! I could custom make them for their color preference, and give them one useful take home gift! Thanks for the great idea.
This is such a cute and clever idea! Thanks so much for the template and tut 🙂
Look forward to trying these with my daughter, who has been asking to do a sewing craft. If they do end up being sliippery, I plan to put a few lines of Puff Paint on the bottom – that usually helps on knitted slippers anyway.
cute idea to reduce and make for dolls with those hard to size feet!
Quelle excellente idée !! On peut aussi les faire avec du jean, des vieux vêtements, des récup de nappes ou rideaux… Bravo et merci pour l’idée !
grate gift’s for the kindergarden kid’s
ipiiiiiiiiii
So Cute!! How about using velcro so the slippers would be adjustable!
How about glueing or stitiche some rug stopper to the bottom?
I´m going to do it. It is an excellent present.
What a great idea! If you want to make them non-slip, can you sew or glue something to the bottom?
Hi Elic-
Sure! I found this article online about making crocheted slippers non-stick and I imagine the same techniques would work for these: http://www.mooglyblog.com/make-slippers-non-slip/
Thanks!
Molly