With temperatures dropping, I wanted to keep my little feet warm in some slippers. I realized the ones I bought last year were really worn out... I thought it was silly to buy new ones when I could sew them myself. So, I started looking for a pattern and came across Artesane's February masterclass. Without hesitation, I started the first test version, kitschy as can be... but isn't that part of the charm of little house slippers?

I took the time to break down each assembly step, with a little summary so you can also create your own slippers or gift them to your loved ones! By the way, I think it would make an excellent Christmas gift. 

Let's go, grab your needles!

The pattern

The pattern is available for free on the Artesane website in sizes 29 to 42. So it can be made for children or women. It can be enlarged for men, but you will need to widen the sole.

To download the pattern, you must create an Artesane account, add the pattern to your cart, and then confirm your order.

The pattern is very simple since it consists of two pieces (the sole and the top of the slipper). Seam allowances are included and are 0.8cm.

In the seamstress's basket

To sew a pair of slippers, you will need several supplies.

1. To make the sole, you will need a "non-slip" material. There are ready-made soles you can buy, but they are quite expensive. Also, Artesane suggests working with bulgomme, the rubber foam used as a table protector. The textured side allows you to make soles, and the thickness is just right. 

2. To make the top and inside of the slipper, you will need:

• stretch fabric: jersey, fleece, sweatshirt ...
• pre-folded elastic bias tape
• matching thread

3. The necessary materials consist of scissors (fabric, paper, and embroidery), pins, your sewing machine

4. To decorate your slippers, you can use ribbon to make bows or wool to make pom-poms...

You can also choose to create embroidery. In short, anything is possible with a bit of creativity!

The sewing steps

1. Preparing the soles

Cut the soles from the bulgomme. Be careful to cut a right foot and a left foot. Then repeat the operation on the fabric of your choice.

Glue the two layers of fabric. To do this, place the wrong side of your fabric on the smooth side of the bulgomme and stitch around the sole at 0.5 cm, lengthening the stitch. For sewing the bulgomme, you can use a standard needle size 80 or 90. If you have a walking foot, that can also be helpful.  

2. Preparing the slipper upper 

Cut two slipper uppers (again, be careful to have a right foot and a left foot). Close the edge of the slipper upper by pinning right sides together at the back of the slipper. Stitch the back of the slipper with a zigzag stitch. You can also assemble this part with a 4-thread overlocker. 

3. Attaching the pre-folded bias tape

Start placing and sewing the pre-folded bias tape at the middle back (let it extend a few millimeters). Begin sewing with a zigzag stitch to hold the bias tape well. Then continue sewing, gradually placing the pre-folded bias tape on the fabric. It’s necessary to apply tension by stretching the bias tape and carefully flattening it. 

Sew all around the edges. When you reach the middle back again, place the bias tape over the first few millimeters. They should overlap by about 1cm. Cut the excess and singe the ends with a lighter. 
 To finish, sew a straight securing stitch to firmly secure the overlap. 

4. Attaching the back tongue

To finish the back of the slipper, place an open pre-folded bias strip on each side of the slipper. Pin the strip leaving 1cm extending on top; this will create a small allowance to help put on the slipper. 

Sew the bias tape onto the slipper with a straight stitch to hold it in place. Stitch a line at each end and a line of stitches in the middle of the bias tape. Stop each seam when you reach the already placed bias tape. 

Finally, sew a straight stitch parallel to the edge of the slipper at the tongue to secure it well.

5. Assembling the slipper top and sole

Place the slipper top right sides together on its sole, trying as best as possible to ease the fullness all around the edges. Stitch the edges at 0.8cm. 

Generously trim the inside of the slipper

Turn your slippers inside out and tada... try them on! 

Here is the full Artesane masterclass video if you want to watch it in its entirety. 

6. Decoration

All that’s left is to decorate them if you wish or to start over. 

My next pair will be in fleece now that I have confirmed the size to make. 

And you, in which material will you make yours?