slippers looking like shoes

[halay]

Yesterday I was instructed by a friend of mine, an ardent felter too, on how to make slippers or boots  from our local wool (31 mic)quite coarse, and the the only Slovenian fiber available. She taught me how to make slippers without using last. You start off by using a heart-shaped resits and then you need to slowly make six layers of fleece, each layer needs to be pressed down by hot soapy water, adding  more fiber on the sides and the bottom where the soles are going to be, which means  even 12 layers! After the felting process you take out the resist and continue with kneading and shaping the boot. She taught me a useful trick in shaping the slippers: to shape the left boot you use your left hand to hold the piece down inside and shape the boot with your right hand and vice versa. In the end the slippers become very stiff, just like shoes. I put them in the washing machine in the end and they didn't lose shape at all. They are so thick and stiff, I believe you can wear them in snow too! here is the picture.

[lyn]

They are wonderful! Are they comfy? They look it.

[crealou]

Great looking, that must be long to make? Anyway they are very well done.

[Pandagirl]

Very nice Halay. Putting them in the wash machine is a big plus. I"m glad they held their shape. They do look warm and comfy.

[MTRuth]

Wonderful - I am wondering about the heart shaped resist. Could you show us a photo of it? Do you use one resist for both slippers or one resist for each slipper?

Your slipper look really functional and the thickness looks just perfect so they won't wear out so easily.

[halay]

Ruth, I'll try to make a drawing of the resist and post it here. I used one resist for both slippers and then before the fulling process, cut it in half. I'm told that such slippers can last several years.

[zed]

I was going to ask the same as Ruth

They look great!

[halay]

To answer Ruth and Zed, here are some instructions re the shape of the resits and the sizes. I need to note that the sizes are European (German)and you will need to covert them. This particular resist shown in the picture is for size 43 (men's size). It is heart-shaped and I hope you can see in the picture that it is 46 cm in width and 39 cm in length, measured from the top of toe to the heel.
Also, I attach the table showing different sizes. Unfortunately it is in German, but let me explain: one table is for children sizes and the other for adults.
The first column refers to the size of shoes, the second means the final length of the slipper (from toe to heel), the Filzmass column shows the length of the resist and the last one the width of the resist.


I hope this helps. I'll be glad to help you if you have any questions.

[MTRuth]

Thanks halay - that is an interesting resist shape. I haven't seen that one before. I need a new pair of slippers and I will have to try this method.

[Pandagirl]

It really is an interesting shape. I'm trying to visualize how this goes together. :-) I assume the heart shape part is the top overlap. Very cool!

[halay]

Pandagirl, the top of the heart is the toe. When the first stage of felting has been done, you cut the heart to get two identical half-hearts, remove the resist and then start shaping the slipper and fulling. You need to make sure that while kneading and shaping you lift the edges on the part on the heel upwards. I hope I made myself clear. Also, you need to shape the right slipper with your left holding it down with your right hand, and vice versa.

[Pandagirl]

Thanks Halay. Since I got slippers for Christmas I don't think I'll be making any time soon for myself. But I was curious. I may have to make a pair just to see if I can follow. :-)I'll have to find some coarser wool.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Wow! Love those slippers! Halay, you sure do tackle tricky projects.

[Shepherdess]

Interesting, I haven't seen this shape before. I may have to give them a try. my sippers are not in the best of shape. Thanks for sharing.