Little slippers

Today a few of my newest matryoshkas were featured on Cuteable! Fru Stabekk wasn't featured but she is one of my newest creations in my shop.

The icy air doesn't seem to want to let up and as I have mentioned before is giving me a wonderful excuse to stay indoors and keep warm at my sewing machine. What is the point of going outside actually when it is -20 Celcius? So I made these slippers for little one to keep her small toes warm on our now chilly hard-wood floors.

I used this Japanese book for the pattern. Here is the link to it on Amazon.jp:

The slippers make the second project I have completed in this book and so far so good. I have enjoyed both immensly and they have both turned out as I had hoped. I blogged previously about another Japanese book and my projects here and here.

The bottoms are three layers, with the bottom two quilted together as you see above. I used the same fabric for the insole and underside, and for batting I used a vintage wool blanket. The thick blanket and quilting give good structure to the slippers and warmth as well.

I dug into my mother-of-pearl button jars to find a couple of matching buttons to add as decoration on the straps. I have used snaps for closure. I still (sheepishly) haven't learned how to make button holes. Maybe Mom will teach me on our next visit? I selected Jennifer Pagnelli's wonderful fabric from the line Dance with Me for the outer fabric.

And here we were today playing concentration and little one is wearing her new slippers.

She still doesn't even know all the numbers or letters on the cards but she can match them! Getting a photo is hard work too when they are moving around as much as this little energetic one does. It is a good thing I have learned how to lose with grace because it happens alot when I play cards with my kids.

I hope you will have a lovely weekend!

Comments

[heleen]

the shoes are just lovely!!

[Halfway Crafter]

Those slippers are just wonderful! I'd love a pair for myself!

[Maureen]

Congratulations on being featured on Cuteable. Your dolls are certainly the ultimate in cuteness. The slippers you made for your daughter have the most charming pattern. Have a lovely weekend.
Maureen

[gail]

The little ones shoes are so cute. You are so clever.

Blessings Gail

[Julie]

Oh I just love those little shoes!

[Tayla B]

hmmm I wonder if you could convert those into big people sizes! ;)

The cold weather is sticking around here as well... hopefully it will let up for the both of us soon!

[Faith]

These slippers are divine, as are your photos showing them!

[Jean C.]

The slippers are so cute! And good for you using an old blanket! Waste not, want not!!!
O.k. you get your sewing machine book out and read each step... find some scrap material and practice, practice, practice!!!
You can do this! Besides... after the first few no one but you will notice any mistakes! Really.... don't let that machine buffalo you! I felt that way about zippers for the longest time... it can be intimadating.... but your smarter than a silly ole machine!!! Besides... it can't do anything without you! It can't even plug it'self in!! LoL.... go get em!!!!

[Erica K]

I love them! What fabric is that? Such a lucky little girl you have! :)

[Gina]

Such beautiful slippers! I'd love a pair of those in a big size.

[vadjutka]

very pretty slippers Emily!

[corry]

They are so sweet! I'm gonna look that book up on amazone, great projects!

[Jacqueline]

Dear emily, these shoes are sooo gorgeous! Love! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

[Muriël]

Super sweet slippers!!!

[raina]

These slippers are so pretty, I would wear a pair myself...for grown ups of course :)

[Mildawg]

They are absolutely precious. The pattern is fantastic!

[Dawn, from LaTouchables]

Those shoes are adorable, and your little model is too!

[Marie-Louise]

They are incredible cute :-) I made myselfe a pair a couple of years ago and loved them.

[britt]

I am a sucker for handmade slippers. Nice work--I love your fabric choices, and the mother of pearl button is a great touch!

[Chara Michele]

Those slippers are lovely!

[Tia Webb]

I agree they really are lovely, I was so impressed with these (and the other pattern) that I decided "stuff it that I don't read Japanese!!" Found an English supplier and the book has arrived in my hot little hands this afternoon!! (along with another that I HAD to purchase!! You understand!!)

I had every intention of wiping some up for my girls as we're snowed in AGAIN!! But......
Am I blind?? Or have I missed something?? Said book has been scoured cover to cover THREE TIMES and I can't see a slipper pattern anywhere!!!!
Is it a bonus pattern that came with your copy but not with mine???
Am going to have to choose something else to make but for now am feeling a little deflated!!!

Tia xxx

[Emily Moss]

Dear Tia,

Oh dearie me. I am so sorry. I feel terrible. What a dreadful mistake! I put up a photo and link to the wrong book. I should have checked! I cant believe I did that. I am at a loss and kicking myself for my carelessness. I thank you for your kindess and for contacting me to let me know so I could correct my error! That was sweet and thoughtful of you. And you were so nice to me in doing so, not sounding like you were going to sue me or anything! :) (I saw you are from the UK and not American like me.) :D

I have copied the pattern and photos and the book cover for you so you can see and hopefully make the slippers anyway. Can you see the attached photos? If you print out the pattern pieces from my scan you will have to adjust the size copy of the strap piece, it should be 10.7 mm tall and 3.2 cm wide. (When I printed it out it turned out too small compared to the original.) I will gladly send you a tracing paper copy of the pattern peices if you send me your snail mail address.

I am just feeling wretched about making this mistake and making you buy the wrong book. However, the book you did buy is my favorite! Moms too. The tunic top in there is so adorable... I do hope it wont be a total and utter waste.

When you make the slippers, here is what I did: I cut out the peices, you have to add a seam allowance onto these Japanese patterns as they dont do that. You need 2 upper fabric peices (the U shaped one), 2 lining of the U shaped, 2 insoles to attach to the U shaped lining, 2 undersoles, and 2 inner soles for the warmth and cushioning - I used a wool blanket but you could use flannel or batting or an old towel.

First you sew all the Us in the back. The pattern said you should take gathering stitches in the front so that you could gather the top over the bottom but I didnt need to.

Sew the very bottom fabric that is going to be walking on the floor to the inside batting/blanket as shown in the photo, quilting it together.

Sew the top of the shoe together with the bottom with right sides facing. I used lots of pins to get it to fit neatly together. Do the same with the inner lining.

Open the outer shoe so that it has the right sides facing out as it will be when completed. Take the shoe lining with the right sides facing over the shoe - pin together, remember to mark where you want to leave a hole in the sewing for turning the slipper and attaching the strap.

Sew these two parts together. (Remeber, one right shoe and one left)

Turn so the slippers are just how you want them. Please at this point try them on the recipient. If they fit then you will want to clip around the edges of your seams inside the slippers so that the curves look nice. If they dont fit you will have to use a different seam allowance.

Then when I know they fit well I attach the strap, buttons and snaps.

I do hope this helps and in some way will make up for my error. I have taken the post down temporarily until I have time to correct it. I wanted to get in touch with you first. I hope there werent any others who have done as you have and already purchased the wrong book.

If you do make the slippers I would love to see them! I visited your blog and it looks like you are a far more experienced seamstress than me- the shirt you made is just adorable!!!

Tell me who is the English supplier of the Japanese books you buy?

Please do send me your address and I will mail you nice patterns so you dont have to mess around with the copy machine!

Hope you will forgive me. Have a delightful day!
Warmest wishes from Emily