How to Make a Pair of Cozy and Sweet Ballet Slippers

Click here for PDF version and patterns

These pretty ballet slippers -- a most enjoyable and fun sewing project -- can be made in a leisurely afternoon. Rummage through your left over fabric scraps and notions, get started and before you know it, you will be admiring your handiwork as you pad around in your cozy new slippers.

What you need …
**unless the yardage is noted, lay your patterns on the material to determine the yardage
• Re-cycled denim
• Cotton fabric (pink gingham) for lining
• Cotton fabric (eggplant floral print) for piping, heel trim and ruffles
• 24” x 5/8” wide velvet (raspberry) ribbon, cut in half
• Iron on interfacing
• Cardboard
• Leather, vinyl, denim or another durable material, for the sole
• 1 yard x ¼” wide elastic, cut in half
• Thread, scissors, pins, pencil, needles, sewing machine
• PDF (click here) upper, sole and ruffle patterns

Check the fit before you start …
The pattern included is an adult, medium size. To check the fit, stand on the sole pattern. It should peek out around the perimeter of your foot. If you need to reduce or enlarge the pattern, cut the pattern in quarters down the middle, and then extend, or overlap the pieces to fit your foot. Tape together, smooth out the new lines, and apply the changes also to the upper pattern. Then cut an upper and sole out of some leftover fabric, gather the toe and baste the two pieces together. Slip it on, check the fit, and apply any further adjustments to your pattern pieces.

Cut your pieces …
• Cut two denim uppers + two upper interfacings.

• Cut two soles from the durable material.

• For the lining, cut two soles and two uppers out of the pink gingham + two sole and two upper interfacings.

• Cut the floral accent fabric: Cut two bias strips 1” x 24” wide from the floral print for the piping + 4 x half-moon pattern for the ruffle + 2 strips 1 ½” wide x 3” long for the heel trim.

• Transfer all pattern notches.

• Cut two cardboard soles (cutting 3/8” smaller all around the perimeter of the Sole
Pattern. (If you like your slippers more cushiony cut out a pair of foam liners as well.)

Easy to follow sewing instructions…
Denim Upper and Sole:
Iron the interfacing on the back side of the denim uppers and soles.

Sew a row of basting stitches between the toe notches.Stitch the heel together with a 3/8” seam allowance and press open.

Reinforce the heel seam with the cotton floral fabric as follows: Interface 3” strip floral accent fabric. Fold back ¼” seam allowance along each length and press. With wrong sides facing each other, center strip over the heel seam. Pin and trim any excess off the top and bottom so strip aligns with denim edge. Edge stitch along each length. Pull the toe basting thread, easing gathers, so that the toe will curl under softly. With right sides facing, pin the upper to the sole, matching notches. Baste and remove pins. Stitch seam with 3/8” seam allowance. It is a wee bit tricky, so take your time to stitch a neat, curved line, with toe gathers evenly distributed. Turn right side out. With something firm, like a pair of blunt scissors, press firmly on the seam, to give it a pressed finish.

Make Lining:
Iron interfacing to the cotton lining upper and sole.

Following above instructions for the denim, stitch the lining upper to the sole.

Assemble Slipper:
Slip cardboard soles inside slippers.
*If you like your slippers cushiony then slip the foam soles on top of the cardboard.

Slip the linings inside the slippers, smoothing neatly in place. Pin.

Baste together all around the perimeter of the edge.

Trim off any lining that extends beyond denim.

Make the Ruffle:
With wrong sides facing, stitch one pair of ruffles together, sewing ¼” around the half circle shape but not the bottom.

Turn ruffle inside out and press.

Stitch a row of basting stitches ¼”, along the bottom edge. Pull the basting stitches to form soft gathers.

Pin ruffle, centered, aligned with denim edge, to slipper front. Baste and remove pins.

Add Slipper Piping and Elastic:
With right sides facing each other and edges aligned, pin the bias floral fabric all around the perimeter of the slipper edge. Baste, remove pins. Stitch ¼” around the edge.

Zigzag stitch the elastic around the slipper edge as follows: Align the elastic with the slipper edge on the inside, pinning it all around with a little ease. (You only need a little elastic ease for a good fit.) Zigzag stitch down elastic center.

Press the floral bias piping up. Fold it over the edge, and tuck the seam allowance under. Pin it around the perimeter so that you have a neat piped edge.

Hand stitch the piping closed, with the stitching line following the seam join point on the right side, so that your stitches are hidden. Be careful to pull the elastic as you stitch, to maintain the ease.

Velvet Ribbon Bows:
Tightly tie two small bows. Cut bow ends at diagonal angle.

Hand tack bows to cover the join point of the ruffle.

Pad around with a big smile and enjoy!

Halloween fantasy mask

This magical mask, has been posted before - but I've decided to make it my signature statement for Halloween on both of my blogs. It wonderfully fulfills and stimulates the desire to create something unexpected for any mysterious parties or trick-or-treating as we head into October. Originally, named a Venetian Fantasy Mask, it was created for Denim Revolution, but when we couldn't squeeze it in - it became a freebie. All the how-tos are right here, on craftzine.

DIY a romantic Halloween mask

Venetian Carnival

This is one of my most fun projects - to make and to wear -

(click here for the step-by-step tutorial)

Made with a scrap of re-cycled denim, it was posted last year, and just as lovely this year.

And here it is sketched with a re-cycled denim cape. Happy Halloween!

Pin cushions to make and enjoy - from flea market finds

I'm busy making pin cushions!
With fun names like "Lady Limoges" and "Orange Pekoe Tea Time." It all began when I found a piece of Limoges pottery in the flea market for 3 Euros, a one of a once pair of candlesticks. A quick decision was taken, without much consideration or consultation that it couldn't be left behind but deserved to be re-cycled into something else that was pretty, useful and decorative.
Much more to follow soon with a tutorial or two!

Wardrobe Refresh on Craftzine.com

click here for a tutorial on blog.craftzine

to make three eco-hip accessories from recyclable cast-offs

Blog.craftzine is a simply wonderful, free flowing, source of crafting possibilities and inspiration! They really do their research and comb the globe for ideas and trends. I am thrilled to also be a contributor, this time on their "Wardrobe Refresh" column.

Another blogger and creative "junk" artist I adore is Junkjewerly. She's a stylish crafter with an abundance of hip and easy ways to create your own jewelry.

Wishing you lots of fun - making, wearing and gifting your new summer jewelry!

HATS and Stephen Jones

Master hatter, Stephen Jones, opens his world and milliner secrets at the exhibit he curated in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Infused with charm and desire, for DIYers, this exhibit inspires you to pull out any old forgotten hat, and to dress it up and make it personal. Naturally, I loved SJ's "denim" hat sketched above, created with a patchwork of worn, rugged denim, and a big bunch of blue cornflowers and margaritas that seem to have been so carelessly and naturally tossed on the rim, that you can imagine the sunny, country lane where they were gathered.
The exhibit, though chiefly SJ's hats, included also plenty of other hats pulled from the extensive V&A archives, including this pretty hand stitched country bonnet, stiffened with cord and lined in undyed linen from the mid to later 1800s, ...

and a colorful straw boater from 1937, heaped with water lilies.

Except for some uniforms and a few exceptions, hats are worn today to entertain, for our own pleasure and to fulfill some dreamy thoughts. They are a medium to express yourself and your lifestyle. Today there are no milliner rules, you can freely use the most unexpected or unusual materials - and I hope you're inspired (like I've been) to start rummaging around, through all your crazy re-cycled junk, pluck some things from the garden, or mix in some fine delicate silks and ribbons - and experiment with shape, texture and color - remaking some old hat found in the back of your closet into a happy, or romantic, or hip creation, to add some whimsical fun to your day! Hats are the newest accessory.

Two denim moods

Along the way of hunting for a photo ... I found this image of the one of the projects in my book with a piece of embroidery made by my Baba, all sweet, taffeta and lacy ... and then I found this other photo, of a denim bag with a clear vinyl shoulder strap and all kinds of funky patches ... in a totally different style. Some days doesn't one feel rather frou-frou and on other days dreamy about black leather and a rugged style ...
...and I still am hunting for the other photo.

Bandanna and rhinestones

Pretty rhinestone jewelry passed from my Great Aunt Rose to my Mom and now to me, are so gorgeous - and wishing to wear them with a casual style that suits today, that's not retro - inspired me to edge another scarf, as I continue to update my scarf drawer with decorative crocheted edgings... ...this time, it's a cotton bandanna edged with a sparkly crocheted frill, worn with a black leather biker jacket and all the rhinestone glitter.

More about those re-cycled plastic jewels...

With my many, many thanks to a friend, here are some great photos of my newest craze for accessories created out of empty, recycled, plastics. They're fitting the bill on all corners - priced just right - free - satisfies my desire to lead a more eco-lifestyle - and fills my fashion needs for over sized, bright, cheerful and bold! Happy, fun and easy to make, photos from the top, are "Candy Striped Rubber Drop Earrings" strung on orange rubber bands with striped yogurt containers, the "Sunburst Charmer" this time strung on a doubled over brass chain; and below the "Kiwi Hoop Earrings" twisting a kiwi fruit basket net with cottage cheese container hoops. Click the links for the tutorials from past blogs ...
... and I hope it inspires you to hord your recycles for creative new gear.

DIY Earrings made from recycled household plastics

Kiwi Hoop Earrings

DIY jewelry - made out of discarded empty plastic containers pulled from the re-cycle bin - are fulfilling my winter fashion blues. The characteristics of this material lends itself to my hip fashionable whims, due to the -- colorful graphics and textures of the containers -- the lightness, which allows you to pile it on in bulk for a super over sized proportion -- and the freedom to cut and experiment with no waste - just toss your discards back in the bin and enjoy your successes. Also, part of the camp look is that the mix of household products is so tongue in cheek and makes it especially interesting to style up or down. With a bold flourish of dramatic proportions, and the hope to brighten up your wardrobe in the middle of the winter, here are photos and the How-Tos of my current two favorite earrings of the moment -- The Candy Striped Rubber Drop Earrings and The Kiwi Hoop Earrings! Candy Striped Rubber Drop Earrings

Materials:

Selection of empty plastic containers;

2 x 6" long orange rubber band

2 x silver, pierced earring loops

Scissors

How-Tos:

Cut oval shapes out of empty plastic containers: 5 x 2" long ovals cut from a red and white striped yogurt container ; 3 x 1 1/2" long ovals cut from a transparent plastic shampoo container; 7 x 2 1/2" ovals cut from transparent, light blue water bottle container (follow my lead or use it as a guide and do your own thing.)

Punch a hole at one end of all the ovals.

Pass a 6" long orange rubber band through all the ovals, gathered into an assorted, mumble jumble order.

Slip a silver pierced earring hook through the rubber bands to hold them together.

Now make the other earring.

They dangle and feel very 60s modish.Kiwi Hoop Earrings

Materials:

For these earrings, I used 4 different items, a silver clip-on earring gadget; one of those iridescent mesh bags used for fruit that my kiwi came wrapped in; an empty cottage cheese container with green graphics printed all over it; and 2 pieces of 1 1/2" x 5" long organza ribbon with lots of beads and sequins sewn on it that I found in my stash of ribbons. I wouldn't expect everyone to have all the exact same elements, so use my version as a guide and put it together with your favorite colors and with what you have or find (hunting is part of the design adventure.)

You also need some scissors, needle and sewing thread to match the organza and glue for plastic.

How-To:

Sew the organza ribbon together to form a soft loop with a 5/8" overlap.

Cut the iridescent mesh bag in half. Take one half and slip it through the organza ribbon, knot it twice on top, and tuck loose ends inside the organza ribbon. Sew the ends together snugly.

Cut the empty plastic container round and round, 1/4" thick, so that you have a long continuous piece. Slip it into the other end of the organza, wrapping it around several times (mine wraps around 5 times) and then glue ends together with about a 1/2" overlap.

Securely attach your clip earring gadget on the back side of the net knot.

Make the other earring.

Re-cycled plastic diy fashion accessories

Following on a "challenge"from Louisa at http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/ from my posting about gorgeous accessories by the Belgium designer Christophe Coppens I made a fashion"trinket" from empty, plastic soap containers. Finished with a pretty lilac ribbon slipped through the loop it was worn as a necklace to a chic party ... but you can also slide it onto a snap bolt and hook it to your cellphone or a bag. It is contemporary, a sunburst of color and shape, that makes pleasure and use from what would be chucked into the re-cycle bin. I am going to be making some more accessories with this material, it's just too fun to stop here and love synergy, so shoot me any images ... or challenges!

Here's the step-by-step how to:
Materials: Scissors
Hole puncher
Gather together some emptied plastic bottles (I used, orange, turquoise, white and transparent shampoo, water and kitchen liquid soap containers)
2 - 2 1/2" karabiner
How to Make it:
Cut oval shapes out of your plastic containers, ranging in size from about 2" to 3".
Punch a hole at one end.

Slip the ovals, in an assorted range of colors and shapes, on the karabiner. Attach a ribbon, a snap bolt or a chain through your karabiner and wear as a necklace or hang as a charm to brighten the winter day!