Leather Slippers: Polar Bears in L♥ve

Aren’t these slippers just adorable? I love them so much that I decided to publish them as my Valentine’s Day contribution. Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! May you be surrounded today by people you love and people who love you!

Recently, my son needed a new pair of slippers. I had once bought the “bepuscht” pattern from Farbenmix here. It costs 4.50 € for all EU sizes from 18 to 33 (corresponds to 2–13 as well as 1 in the US and 1–13 in the UK). Thus, this pattern can basically be used to make slippers for newborns and kids up to 7 years of age. In my opinion this is quite a good deal. Unfortunately, the instructions are given only in German and Dutch. Let’s hope they will change that soon. If you do not intend to spend money on any pattern at all, please hop to the end of this post.

Here is what I did in brief. For a full tutorial please refer to the instructions given in the “bepuscht” ebook (see link above).

List of Materials:

1. Leather (brown, red, white)
2. Red thread
3. Punch pliers
4. Sewing machine
5. Appliqué pattern: Bear with heart

Step 1: I cut the pattern (one front, one back, and one sole piece per slipper) using 0.05 inches thick leather (i.e., 1.2 mm). Keep in mind that for the sole piece the rough (less slippery) side faces outwards.

Step 2: Next, I cut leather for an appliqué. I’ve drawn a sitting bear, which I cut from white leather, and a heart, which I cut from red leather. I used punch pliers for the bear’s eye. You can download my appliqué pattern here.

Step 3: Then, I prepared the back and front pieces as described in the “bepuscht” instructions. I used a red thread, because I truly love contrasts. Finally, I sewed on the appliqués. Both polar bears look at each other, because this makes it easier for the little one to put them on all by himself. And I mean, guys, they are in love! 🙂

Step 4: Next, I sewed the front and back pieces onto the soles. From time to time it was necessary to use the hand wheel in order to support my sewing machine doing this tough job… When I was done, my machine was very close to steaming! Seriously!

Step 5: Last but not least, I guided elastics through the tunnels of the back pieces and the holes in the front pieces using a safety pin and made knots to secure.

That’s it! 🙂 My son loves them, which in turn makes me a very happy mom! 🙂

If you do not intend to spend money on any pattern at all, here is a link to the page of Mommade that describes in detail how you can develop your own pattern. It is only in German, though…

Please click here and leave a comment… Ich freue mich auch sehr über Kommentare auf Deutsch.

I am linking this to Kiddikram, Made4Boys, fuersoehneundkerle, Threading My Way, and Talented Tuesday.