Crafts,  Gifts,  Upcycling

Let’s Make Cozy Slippers!

Do you wear slippers around the house? I usually wear socks but I saw some DIY slipper patterns on Pinterest recently and thought they looked like they would be fun to make. I read the instructions & downloaded a couple of different patterns. I have made several pair of each style that I found. This post will show you the style I made for myself, for gifts for my sisters & mom and a pair for one of my sons. The pattern is attached and is from: Lauren E Fabrications: Kimono Slipper Tutorial

While I used Lauren’s pattern, I changed up the way I used it for cutting out the fabric and for sewing it together. I also made the curve of the inner sole more prominent so that there is a definite left and right slipper. Below are the steps I took to make this style of slipper. I used fabric I had on hand. The fleece was a throw and the flannel from a set of sheets.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to order through these links, it will be at no extra cost to you

Supply List
  • Slipper pattern or a pen and paper to make your own pattern
  • 1/2 yard of fleece
  • 1/2 yard of flannel
  • 6″ of 1/4″ elastic
  • Sewing scissors
  • Paper scissors
  • Pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Coordinating thread
  • Measuring tape
  • Hand-sewing needle
  • Puff paint (*optional)
Preparing the Pattern

Download & print the slipper pattern. Print two copies of the Piece B & C. Cut along the dotted line on one of the pattern pieces to create Piece C. Trim the bottom pattern along the inner sole to create a left & right sole.

You can also create your own pattern. Drawing your own pattern allows you to make custom slippers for yourself or someone else. To make the bottom pattern, trace your foot or a pair of sandals/shoes onto a piece of blank paper; then adjust the top pattern to be the same length as your foot. Cut out your pattern pieces with paper scissors. Once you have your pattern ready, either the one you downloaded from here or the one you made, you will be ready to cut the fabric.

Cutting the material

Place the fleece right side up and place the flannel on top of it, right side down so that the right sides of each material are touching. Fold in half. This will allow you to call almost all the pieces at once. You’ll then cut 2 more soles to use as cushion between the inner & outer soles.

Set the top pattern pieces on top of the fabric. Piece B will be face side up & piece C will be right side down (see picture). Also set down the sole pattern.

Cut out two sets uppers and two sets soles.

Cut two additional soles from fleece – this will be sandwiched between the inner and outer soles.

Trim 1/4″ all around the edge of each additional sole.

Sewing top pieces

Since the fabric pieces are already right sides together, pin the top pieces along the inner curve. Stitch each of the top pieces together using a 1/4″ seam. Clip seam at the curves and turn right sides out.

Installing elastic at heel

Cut two pieces of elastic 3″ long each. At the heel, form a casing by stitching 1/2″ from top of heel. Thread elastic through casing & secure at one end. Pull elastic to gather slightly and stitch to secure

Pin along the outer edge of both top pieces. Baste top pieces together along the outer edge. Set aside.

Preparing sole

Set the inner padding sole wrong sides together on top of the inner sole and baste around the edges.

Attaching upper to the inner sole

Set the top piece on the left inner sole, overlapping Piece C with Piece B. Piece B will be at the outer edge of the slipper.

Pin top piece to inner sole & baste along the edges.

Repeat with right top & sole.

Attaching outer sole to top piece

Set outer sole right sides together over the top piece on left & right sides.

Set outer sole right sides together over the top piece on left & right sides. Pin in place.

Beginning at the insole, stitch around the perimeter using 1/4″ seam & leaving a 2 1/2″ opening for turning.

Finishing steps

Trim seam to reduce bulkiness.

Turn right side out.

Hand stitch opening closed.

Depending on the material you use and the type of flooring you have, you may want to add some Puff Paint to the soles of the slippers.

You can add little dots or designs. Allow paint to dry before wearing.

These slippers are machine washable and you can toss them in the dryer to dry.

Slipper pattern (from Lauren E Fabrications: Kimono Slipper Tutorial )

Click on image to download pattern

YouTube Video
Instructions
  • Download & print the slipper pattern – print 1 of the bottom pattern and 2 of the top pattern
  • Place fleece right side up and place the flannel on top of it, right side down then fold in half
  • Set the top pattern pieces on top of the fabric
    • Piece B will be face side up & piece C will be right side down
    • Lower top pieces will be touching
  • Cut out two sets of uppers and two sets of soles
  • Cut two additional soles from fleece for the padding
    • Trim 1/4″ all around the edge of each padding sole
  • Since the fabric pieces are already right sides together, pin the top pieces along the inner curve
  • Stitch each of the top pieces together using a 1/4″ seam
  • Clip seam at the curves and turn right sides out
  • Cut two pieces of elastic 3″ long each
  • At the heel, form a casing by stitching a 3″ line about 1/2″ from top of heel
  • Using a safety pin, thread elastic through casing & secure at one end
    • Remove safety pin
    • Pull elastic to gather slightly and stitch to secure
  • Pin along the outer edge of both top pieces. Baste top pieces together along the outer edge – set aside
  • Set the inner padding sole wrong sides together on top of the inner sole and baste around the edges
  • Set the top piece on the left inner sole, overlapping Piece C with Piece B
  • Pin top piece to inner sole & baste along the edges
  • Repeat with right top & sole
  • Set outer sole right sides together over the top piece on left & right sides
  • Pin in place
  • Beginning at the insole, stitch around the perimeter using 1/4″ seam & leaving a 2 1/2″ opening for turning
  • Trim seam to reduce bulkiness
  • Turn right side out
  • Hand stitch opening closed
  • Using Puff Paint, put dots or designs on the bottom of each slipper to prevent slipping
    • If using Naugahyde, this step can be skipped
Finished Slippers

Here are a few of the slippers I have made with this pattern.

Options for your slippers

I’ve used fleece for both the inside and outside of the slippers. I’ve also used a Naugahyde for the outer sole. You can substitute the fleece for denim, flannel, heavy cotton, etc and the inside with fleece, t-shirt fabric or soft cotton. The outer sole can be made with any sturdy material such as denim, canvas, Naughayde, etc.

These little slippers are fairly quick to make and don’t take a lot of fabric. They make great gifts!

If you need supplies
DIY slippers
Sewing project
Gift ideas

Free downloadable Sewing supply checklist

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to order through these links, it will be at no extra cost to you

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Scroll down to let me know what you think of this project. Are you going to make one pair of slippers or many? If so, will you be keeping them, giving them as gifts, or both?

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