In this video tutorial, I’ll show you how to quilt your own fabric to make garments, bags or home accessories. In the video, I’m making my Quilted Slippers pattern but the same techniques work for other projects as well. I will share a variety of tools you can use to mark quilting lines on your fabric and then demonstrate a couple of ways to quilt the fabric to the batting. The Quilted Slippers are a great project for using scraps of leftover fabric and for introducing yourself to quilting.
Welcome to the first installment of the Quilted Slippers sewalong. Today, we’re going to be sharing recommendations for fabric and supplies. We’ll discuss kinds of fabric that you can use, types of batting and ways you can make the bottoms of your slippers non-slip.
For the exterior fabric, we recommend medium-weight cotton, quilting cotton, linen, wool, flannel, or pre-quilted fabric. Leather or suede can also be used for the sole to prevent slipping (more on that below).
I’ve also had success using sweater knit fabric for the exterior fabric. It’s generally not recommended to quilt knit fabric but it worked fine in my tests. If you want to try knit fabric for your slippers, I recommend first testing how well it works to quilt the fabric.
For the lining fabric, we recommend medium-weight cotton, linen, flannel, or fleece.
Fabrics shown above:
2) Linen from Blackbird Fabrics
4) Flannel from Maker Mountain Fabrics
5) Pre-quilted fabric from Mood
Note: If you use pre-quilted fabric, you won’t need batting.
Batting is available in a variety of fibers and thickness (called “loft”). A low loft batting will be thin and a high loft batting will be thicker. If you want a thicker slipper, you can use two layers of batting for the entire slipper or even just for the sole to provide a little extra cushioning. Remember, the thicker the batting is, the tighter the slipper will fit.
For fibers, you’ll most often find batting made from polyester or a blend of polyester and cotton. Batting is also commonly made from wool and bamboo. Any type will work for these slippers. You can purchase batting by the yard or in pre-packaged cuts.
A note on sizing and thick fabric: One word of caution on using thicker fabric and extra layers of batting: It will likely make the slippers fit more tightly, especially in the skimmer style (due to its low profile over the toe). If you are planning to use extra batting along with a thick or fluffy lining, you may want to size up.
One important consideration when making (and wearing) slippers is that the bottoms are not slippery. There are a few ways to do this. First, you can use a fabric for the soles that is non-slip such as leather or suede. There is also non-skid fabric that you can buy (think the stuff on the bottom of kids footsie pajamas). I’ve found it on Amazon and on Etsy.
Another option is to apply a substance to the sole of the slippers after they are sewn together. You might try puff paint. Or, there is a product called Sock Stop for just this purpose. I’ve found it on Amazon and on Etsy.
One final tip from one of my testers: “I used a foam insert - basically cut around the sole template without seam allowance and inserted it between the lining and outer. It makes them super comfortable. Carpet underlay is a good thing to use and most shops have offcuts they will give you for free.”
About the Quilted Slippers pattern:
The Sew DIY Quilted Slippers are the perfect way to keep toes warm and use up small cuts of fabric. Plus, it's a great way to introduce yourself to quilting and use up small cuts of fabric. The quilted exterior is constructed by quilting a layer of fabric and batting together. You can also use pre-quilted fabric for a quicker project.
The slippers are sized for foot lengths 8.25-12 inches (21-30.5 cm) which approximately fits US women’s shoe sizes 4-14 and US men’s shoe sizes 6-14.5, so you’ll be able to make these quilted slippers for everyone in your family.
View A is a bootie style slipper that can be worn with the top turned down to reveal the lining or with the top up to keep the ankles warm. View B is an open top skimmer style, perfect for the summer months.
UPDATE 2021: If you’re looking for more quilting projects, or ways to use your fabric scraps, check out my e-course Improvisational Quilting for Garment Sewists is now live and available for purchase in the shop. This is a self paced and comprehensive course that teaches you everything you need to know to learn how to turn your fabric scraps into useful and unique improvisational quilts. You can learn more about it here.
Today, I’m very excited to announce the launch of two new unisex and size inclusive loungewear patterns. I’ve been working on these patterns since long before the current pandemic but it seems serendipitous to release them now, when we’re all spending more time at home. These are garments that I find myself reaching for time and time again to keep myself warm and comfortable when at home. They are classic designs that can be used by everyone in the family. Read on to learn more about these patterns.
These patterns are a little different than your average pattern – in all the best ways. Not only are they both gender neutral, size-inclusive, they will also give you the opportunity to practice skills that most patterns don’t utilize. The Tasi Draft-It-Yourself Robe and Jacket is a great way to try your hand pattern drafting. It will teach you the basics and give you the confidence to start designing on your own. The Quilted Slippers will get you started making quilted fabrics. Before you know it, you might even be inspired to do a little scrap piecing.
Watch the video above for all the details on these new loungewear patterns. I hope that you love them as much as I do!
Have you ever wanted to design and draft your own pattern? Do you hate printing out pdfs? Do size charts give you the heebie-jeebies? Then the Tasi Draft-It-Yourself pattern is for you! This pattern will walk you through each step of designing and drafting your own custom fit pattern. You choose the proportions you’d like and we give you the formulas to draft all the pattern pieces for a custom fit robe or jacket.
If you’re not up for doing the calculations yourself, or just want to double check the math, we’ve created a calculator that does the work for you. Woohoo! The calculator is available as a spreadsheet and on the web in Google Sheets.
View A is a classic robe with patch pockets, a tie belt and carriers. View B is a casual jacket with turned back cuffs, oversized pockets and a hem band. It’s easy to adjust the design of this pattern to suit your personal preferences and we even give you a few ideas for ways you can customize and adapt this pattern.
This pattern works well in a wide variety of fabrics from rayon or silk to sweater knit or linen. The design is adaptable for a variety of garments including a robe, cardigan or jacket. This pattern also works really well for piecing together leftover fabrics. Oh, and did we mention that you can make it for everyone in your household because it works for all humans?
The Sew DIY Quilted Slippers are the perfect way to keep toes warm and use up small cuts of fabric. Plus, it's a great way to introduce yourself to quilting. The quilted exterior is constructed by quilting a layer of fabric and batting together. You can also use pre-quilted fabric for a quicker project.
I have chronically cold feet so slippers are part of my regular at-home wardrobe. I even bring slippers when I travel! I wear a size 11 shoe and that means sometimes it can be hard to find cute slippers to wear, and especially to sew. So, a few months ago, I decided to make my own slippers. I’m so happy to be releasing this pattern today with two views and inclusive sizing.
This pattern is gender neutral and the pattern is graded for foot lengths 8.25-12 inches (21-30.5 cm) which approximately fits US women’s shoe sizes 4-14 and US men’s shoe sizes 6-14.5. I think these slippers would make wonderful gifts and with this size range, you’ll be able to sew them for most of the adults in your life.
View A is a bootie style slipper that can be worn with the top turned down to reveal the lining or with the top up to keep the ankles warm. View B is an open top skimmer style, perfect for the summer months.
