Slipper help

[llnmaw]

I want to make these:http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...ted-slippers-3
(hope the link works..it never seems to for me)

Only I don't want to knit them, but use felted sweaters. My plan is to cut up squares of the felted fabric and sew them together. Bad idea?

If not...a few questions.

How might I determine how big to make my squares? I'm really rather mathmatically challenged and a fairly unaccomplished knitter. So to read the kitting pattern I really don't have much of a clue how big a square might be knit...or for that matter how big it might be after felting. Any tips on how to come up with an adult size and toddler size square to make appropriate sized slippers?

And sewing it together. Can I just use my sewing machine? I saw a tut for putting the slipper together and the lady hand sewed with yarn. But since it was then felted after assembly the seams become invisible. If I used yarn on already felted fabric, bad idea or it seems.

I think my look may be slightly different but I'm okay with that assuming my idea will even work.

~L.

[llnmaw]

No thoughts or BTDT as far as alternate ideas?



~L.

[iowaorganic]

I personally wouldn't do it- I would be constantly irritated at seams under my feet. Perhaps you could find a sewing slipper pattern and use the felt in that- or you could experiment with making a larger robeez type slipper. (I would even consider getting some leather for the bottoms. Otherwise- I would knit the slippers. I have knitted some to felt and they are quick and easy and takes about a skien of yarn for an adult pair- they are kinda slippery though- hence the leather bottom idea.

[llnmaw]

Oooh, I had not thought of the seams. Very good point.

Guess I'll skip it and knit them up.

I was planning to put 'something' on the soles but was still processing that. Leather seems like the obvious solution.

Thanks for your thoughts!
~L.

[LaughingHyena]

I wonder if you could cut the squares before felting the sweaters. Then you could sew the slippers and felt in the same way as if you had knitted them.

For the bottoms I have read bout people using the puffy fabric paints to make non slip sole. I think there are also iron on non slip patches available.

[llnmaw]

Already felted the intended sweaters...but can always look for more if I can make it work. I'm a painfully slow knitter and have a few other gifts to do, so if I can cut a corner with the slippers (I LOVE this slipper pattern/look) it would be great.

So tell me, if I cut the non felted sweater, how careful would I need to be while working with it? Will it fray and unravel really easily or pretty much stay together?

I've never taken apart a sweater before...clearly.

Puffy paint - I've heard about that as well. Putting it in my mental notes for if/when I get a slipper made. Thanks!

~L.