This was a fun, gratifying and pretty quick project made from thrifted sweaters. This would make a great last-minute gift, as they went together in no time. They are slouchy, homely and hard to resist on a chilly day, and would be equally appreciated by both guys and girls.
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Signing UpStep 1: Gather your supplies
You will need a wool sweater (or two if you want your slippers multi-coloured), some wool yarn to attach the soles to the uppers, and a darning needle. I made a pattern for the foot with some newspaper.
I found a 100% wool sweater and washed & dried it several times to felt it. The fibres seized up and got worked together so tightly that it really changed the texture of the sweater completely. The other sweater was wool, but the percentage was unreadable (old sweater, old tag) and it did not felt at all. As you'll see, I used the thick and plushy felted sweater for the soles, and the other wool sweater for the uppers.
I found a 100% wool sweater and washed & dried it several times to felt it. The fibres seized up and got worked together so tightly that it really changed the texture of the sweater completely. The other sweater was wool, but the percentage was unreadable (old sweater, old tag) and it did not felt at all. As you'll see, I used the thick and plushy felted sweater for the soles, and the other wool sweater for the uppers.
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One question though:
Did you do anything to the cut out parts to prevent fraying of the fabric (I hope I used the proper word), like sewing around the soles first to hold them together properly?
If you can find some real wool sweaters at the thrift store (you shouldn't have any problem, you could probably even find some already felted, lol! And that's why they're there) and felt them, they won't unravel the way a sweater normally would. Felting in the washing machine binds the fibres together. They seize up and tangle and essentially become more like fabric, than something stitched together. It's kind of hard to explain. In any case, when you cut the pieces out, if the sweater's been properly felted, it won't unravel. The blanket stitch around the edge holds it all together and covers the raw edge.
Go you! Good luck! :)
Jessica
I only have a week left and due to the family mostly being at home, I think I'll only be able to work at night when everyone is asleep.
So yesterday on my way home from work, I bought some kind of a fleece sweater. So far the edges didn't really fray much, and yes, I think once everything comes together, it'll work :-)
I'm having a hard time though pinning the stuff down.
I tried onc and found out that I have to cut the sleeve in steeper angle to get more leeway. I couldn't stretch the fabric as much as I wanted. Now it seems ok, but I had to take out the pins again as my family is coming home soon, and I don't want them to see. It would certainly spoil the surprise.
I also have to get some good yarn. The stuff we have at home is for machine sewing and therefore too fine.
Ok, I have to pick up my little one. I'll continue tonight.
Thanks for this great idea again, it's really the best for a gift to my wife I could think of :-)
I must admit though, that due to the uncommon work with needles, my left thumb and my right hand's index and middle finger hurt a bit. Somewhere in the middle of making the second slipper I thought about giving it a rest and to continue another day. But I'm glad I went all the way through. I even tried one slipper on, and due to its strechiness, I could get my foot in ;-) and I didn't even break it. Cool project, thanks again.
Now I just have to find some old sweaters.