After seeing a gorgeous pair of felted slippers, I thought I should attempt to make a pair for my grandmother for the holidays.
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| 9 oz of Merino Wool Roving |
I first bought the required supplies:
8 oz Merino Wool Roving (found on Etsy)
Small Washboard
Bubble Wrap
Dish Soap
Spray Bottle for Water
First trace the size of the foot you would like to fit giving about an inch extra when cut making a bootie shaped pattern.
This is then transferred to bubble wrap, connecting the two booties at the top so there is no separation between the two, making a square horseshoe shape. Also cut two large sheets of bubble wrap larger than the horseshoe shape.
Lay the horseshoe shape down, and start pulling a light tuft of wool from the roving bundle. Grab the end of the roving and gently tug, this will pull off a small piece each time.
Do this until the entire horseshoe is covered. This will act as the liner of the slippers, so it doesn't matter the color or design of the wool. Once covered, wet with water from the spray bottle, this will flatten the wool and help adhere the wool to itself. Put the large sheet of bubble wrap over the wet wool.
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| Horseshoe pattern covered with wool |
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| Covered with layer of bubble wrap |
When done with one side, flip over and add a layer to the other side, folding the excess over the edge as close to the pattern to keep shape. Once liner is done, continue with the color wool you would like to make the slipper following the same technique of pulling tufts and placing them on the pattern. Wet down each layer before flipping or adding more wool.
When the final top layer (brown layer for photos) is complete, you can add your own blending of colors or accents. I chose to add light blue against the brown starting at what would be the ankle of the slipper.
Wet down again and drizzle the dish soap onto the felt and cover with bubble wrap sheet bubble side down. Start to rub gently in a circular and perpendicular motion agitating the wool. Do this to each side for at least ten minutes. This firms the felt and solidifies the felted bootie.
Cut down the center through all layers. Take each soapy bootie to the sink and gently rub on the washing board until the felt is one solid fiber, rinse and continue to rub on the board. Once the bootie takes the shape you would like be sure to fit it to the foot.
Put each bootie near a warm vent or fan for drying. I used plastic grocery bags to keep the shape of the slippers while they dried.
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| Slippers after rinsing and Washboard rub |
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| The Final Slipper formed and drying. |
