FELTING MAKE

How to make felt slippers

December 15, 2012

How to make felt slippers

This month writer and stylist Rachel O’Brien headed to the Fluff-a-torium in Dorking. She learns how to make felt slippers with felt guru Gillian Harris, aka gilliangladrag.

Follow the step by steps and create your own super-cosy felt slippers. There are also lots of expert tips from Gillian herself as well as ideas to inspire you in the gallery at the bottom of the post too. Hope you enjoy!

“The shoe repairer did look at me a little bit quizzically,” says master Fluff-a-tier Gillian Harris. She is describing the time she took a pair of felted slippers to the shoe menders to be soled. Clearly not everyone is as well versed in the joys of felt as Gillian.

how to make wool felt slippers

How to make felt slippers

Gillian has turned felt-making into an art form and her creations have graced the pages of many a magazine. Her felt-making kits are for sale in John Lewis and Liberty. Gillian’s books are available in several languages and on sale around the world.

As a keen knitter myself, I’m used to working with wool but I have never tried making felt before. So this wet-felting workshop is to be a voyage of discovery for me. Not one to turn down a challenge, I make my way to Dorking and Gilliangladrag’s Fluff-a-torium. I would be learning how to make felt slippers.

Gillian Gladrag Fluffatorium

The fluff a torium

A short walk from Dorking West train station, the Fluff-a-torium is easy to spot. The facade is bright and quirky with festoons of felt bunting.

Gillian Gladrag Fluffatorium

Inside is just as inviting. Shelves, stands and cabinets are filled with balls of wool, ribbons, buttons and all manner of felt items. I immediately feel abuzz with creative energy.

Gillian Gladrag Fluffatorium

Gillian Gladrag

The felting workshop is to be held upstairs in Gillian’s studio. Myself and the three other students are keen to get started as we take in the array of rainbow coloured slippers.

After a cup of tea and a chat, Gillian gives us a step-by-step demonstration. She describes the various styles that we can cut our finished slippers into. We can go for mules, booties or ballet pumps with different sole options.

Gillian Gladrag Fluffatoriumhow to make felted wool felt slippers with Gillian Gladrag. Click through for easy step by step DIY tutorial to make your own beautiful decorated slippers #woolfelt #slippers #makeslippers #feltedslippers #frombritainwithlove #howtomakeslippers

How to make wool felt

Handmade felt is made from sheep’s wool called wool tops or roving. Sometimes it is also referred to as wool fleece, and has been cleaned and combed. To make felt, the wool fleece must first be rubbed with soap and water so that the fibres begin to join.

The material is then ‘fulled’ – a process which shrinks and hardens the wool to make it thicker. By the end of the day we would all leave the Fluff-a-torium with a pair of shoe lasts covered in wool fleece to ‘full’ in our washing machines, ready to shape and decorate at home.

How to make felted slippers

To make our slippers we first need to cover the polystyrene shoe lasts with three layers of wool fleece. Spoilt for choice, I finally settle upon lilac for the first layer, fawn for the second and a dark purple for the outer.

Covering the shoe lasts

Gillian sells the polystyrene slipper lasts we used here To be honest, they’re a bit too boot-like for my taste. I have found this really useful tutorial to make your own lasts using tape and old plastic bags – which you can adapt to your own foot size and required shape.

Laying one of my shoe lasts on its side, I start to tease out strands of lilac wool fleece and lay it on top. With a piece of polyester netting covering the last, I spray it with soapy water and rub until the wool is firmly in place.

I continue the layering process until the last is completely covered and resembles a ‘bearskin’ as Gillian describes it. We repeat this for the other shoe last and for our second layer, before taking a much needed break for lunch.

How to make felted slippers

Adding designs

After lunch we add our third and final layer of wool fleece. As we would be applying our designs on top of this, we only rub the wool fleece gently this time.

Once our designs are in place we rub firmly for around 10 to 20 minutes. This is to ensure the fleece and any decorative felt is secure.

How to make felted slippers

Watching Gillian, working on a pair of felted slippers throughout the day, she effortlessly creates a simple floral motif around hers. I opt for a similar design.

Using oddments of wool fleece in complementing colours I create five or six ‘roses’ around each last and then apply soapy water and rub until they were in place.

Throughout the day the atmosphere is very relaxed. Gillian also demonstrates how to make needle-felted roses to decorate the slippers so that we can make them ourselves at home.

How to make felted slippers

Rubbing with soapy water

Back home, I continued to apply soapy water and rub my shoe lasts until the wool fleece was firm. Apprehensive, I put both lasts into the washing machine along with a pair of old jeans to add friction.

With the slippers rattling around I was quite worried about how they would turn out. However I followed Gillian’s guidelines and kept them in for a second wash and spin to toughen them even more. With the wool now fulled, I carefully cut out the slipper shape and removed the polystyrene moulds. Now it’s time to allow the slippers to dry out.

how to make wool felt roses and flowers to decorate felt slippers

Decorations to try

Gillian showed us how easy it is to make felted wool roses and flowers to decorate our slippers if we wanted to. I decided to keep mine simple, but if you feel like adding a felt rose, it’s really easy. Just cut a length of felt in your chosen colour and then wind around, starting with a tight wind at the beginning and then loosening out the outer ‘petals’ as you go. Hold the base tightly as you go and secure with a few stitches underneath. Then simply stitch on to your finished slippers.

How to make felted slippers

The finished result

The result is a beautiful pair of cosy lilac slippers with pretty rosebuds. They are perfect for warming my toes in front of the fire this Christmas.

This one-day course is ideal for anyone wanting to try their hand at something a little bit different. The making process is quite unusual and the finished product is truly unique.

Alongside felted slipper workshops you can also learn how to make felted bags, jewellery, hats and pictures. All I have left to do now is have my slippers soled. I think I’ll brave my local shoe menders… I wonder how he will react?

Buying the materials online

Gillian’s online shop has many of the materials you need to make your own pair of slippers. Her felt slipper kit is perfect if you want an easy project to get stuck into.

The slipper lasts are also available to buy from Gillian’s shop

Felt and suede soles are available to buy too

Natural British carded wool is available to buy on Etsy here

natural shetland wool for felting

Above: beautiful seaweed-dyed Shetland wool for felting is available to buy on Etsy here

british breeds natural felting wool

British Breeds natural felting wool

Ideas to try (or buy!)…

Now I’ve had a go at making my first pair of felt slippers, I’m looking for inspiration and ideas for my next pair…! What do you think of these ideas I’ve found? I reckon they are all do-able following the same basic technique with a few moderations here and there – which would be part of the creative fun. They are also available to buy if you just fancy going down the easy route… You could always tell yourself it’s creative ‘research’ for the next pairs you’ll make yourself!

From WildLlama in Welwyn Garden City

Wild Llama felt slippers are made completely by hand using eco-friendly, non-dyed wool, hot water and soap. I’ve picked out my three favourites:

How cute is this dotty pair?

boiled wool felt dotty slippers handmade

BUY ON ETSY NOW

I really like what adding a few rows of simple stitching adds to this pair

love these grey wool felted slippers with simple white seams available to buy from Etsy IUK #felt #slippers #felted #grey

BUY ON ETSY NOW

Last pair from Wild Llama: grey wool with smaller yellow dots. There’s a scandi feel to this design that I love.

grey wool felted dotty felt slippers handmade using natural wool, soap and water and available to buy on Etsy UK #felt #felted #slippers #grey #dottygrey wool felted dotty felt slippers handmade using natural wool, soap and water and available to buy on Etsy UK #felt #felted #slippers #grey #dotty

BUY ON ETSY HERE

From WoolenClogs on Etsy

woolenclogs handmade felt slippers with snowflake design on etsy

I love the clog shape of these beautiful handmade felt slippers by Woolenclogs on Etsy. Just gorgeous and look really comfy with plenty of space for toes! They’re available as a set of two pairs – one grey out of white and one white out of grey.  Just lovely! BUY NOW

From Onaie London

It’s the beautiful embroidery that sets these slippers apart. Just lovely.

handmade embroidered felt slippers with pretty flower embroidery on felted wool handmade and available to buy on Etsy #felt #slippers #embroidered

BUY EMBROIDERED FELT SLIPPERS ON ETSY NOW

And aren’t these grey flower felt slippers with pretty daisy flower decoration just lovely? I like the cutaway design at the sides with a little bit of inserted elastic – worth bearing in mind for making your own.

grey wool felt slippers handmade with navy blue daisy flower decoration #slippers #handmade #felt #felted #flower

BUY GREY FELT WOOL SLIPPERS WITH FLOWER DECORATION ON ETSY NOW

And for an extra cosy touch, how gorgeous are these grey felt slippers with sheepskin lining?

grey wool felt slippers with sheepskin lining handmade with navy blue daisy flower decoration #slippers #handmade #felt #felted #flower #sheepskin

BUY ON ETSY NOW

From Baa Baa Slippers

Hand felted slippers from British wool with rubber soles.

My pick would be these lovely dotty slippers with contrasting wool lining.

british wool lined felted felt slippers in natural brown wool with pale white beige wool lining and dots #slippers #felt #felted #dotty #britishwool

BUY ON ETSY NOW

british wool grey handmade felt slippers pale grey with pale natural lining #slippers #handmade #felt #felted

It’s the slightly more clog-like shape that I like about these slippers. They’re more cut away at the back and I do really love the subtle contrast between the darker outside and pale inner lining. Again, they’re handmade using British wool, soap and water.

BUY ON ETSY NOW

Daisy felt slippers from Bamboshe

Love the design of these beauties too – almost a Birkenstock shape with pretty orange and navy wool daisy/flower decoration.

daisy handmade felt slippers in navy with grey wool lining and orange flower daisy decoration #handmade #felt #wool #slippers #daisy #flower

BUY ON ETSY NOW

Slippers by Handmade From Scotland

All handmade in their Edinburgh felting studio, this is a treasure trove of handmade wool felted loveliness – including slippers. I love these Thistle design slippers – the perfect Made in Scotland gift!

handmade grey wool felt slippers handmade in scotland with thistle embroidery design #madeinscotland #slippers #felt #felted #wool #grey #thistle

BUY ON ETSY NOW

Handmade slippers from Aura Que in Hastings

There’s a rainbow selection of handmade eco felt mule slippers from Aura Que – all with suede soles.

wool felt clog slippers mules handmade in rainbow colours including teal, navy blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, light grey and dark grey and available to buy on Etsy #slippers #felt #felted #clogs #mules #handmadepomegranate pink wool felt clog slippers mules handmade in rainbow colours including teal, navy blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, light grey and dark grey and available to buy on Etsy #slippers #felt #felted #clogs #mules #handmade

BUY ON ETSY NOW

I really love this collection by Aura Que – and they have suede leather soles. That’s definitely a step on from what I’ve made myself so far, but it would mean you could wear your slippers so much more…

INFORMATION


gilliangladrag is listed in the From Britain with Love directory

Get all the info you need to connect with gilliangladrag from the listing >>

Feeling inspired? Take a look at the Creative Workshops category in our Directory, where you’ll find a variety of inspiring courses, from art and crafts to fashion and beautyinteriorscooking and flower & gardening.

Gillian is the author of felting books: Complete Feltmaking and Carnival of Felting

Rachel O’Brien is a freelance writer and stylist. All workshop images courtesy of Rachel O’Brien.

If you run a creative course you think our readers would be interested in reading about, do get in touch. Email us at editor@frombritainwithlove.com

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our blog posts are independent and in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. 


A pin to share to Pinterest

How to make felt slippers with wool felt. Click through for step by step easy DIY tutorial with felting expert Gillian Gladrag. to find out how to make your own simple pair of felt slippers and get beautiful ideas to try that you'll love to make #feltslippers #howtomake #slippers #frombritainwithlove #howtomakefeltslippers

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19 Comments

  • Reply Felt Gasket October 13, 2016 at 9:12 am

    Very nice

    • Reply Laura Dunkley January 29, 2019 at 5:50 pm

      Thank you – glad you liked the post. Have you made a pair of slippers?

  • Reply Cathie January 1, 2019 at 4:23 pm

    Oh how I wish I still lived in Britain! Would love to try this but no idea where to find the shoe lasts…

    • Reply Anne July 12, 2019 at 10:24 am

      shoe lasts not necessary. See you tube

  • Reply Laura Dunkley January 29, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    Gillian Gladrag herself (details at top of the post) sold shoe lasts last time I looked…. hope you find some and would love to see the finished result!

  • Reply Susan Miller February 10, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    I bought a pair of felted slippers when we visited Estonia a few years ago. I would love to have another pair – maybe I should try making my own!

    • Reply Laura Dunkley February 10, 2019 at 11:18 pm

      Definitely have a go at making a pair – it’s fun and easier than you might think!

  • Reply Nancy Coyle April 20, 2019 at 12:06 am

    What kind of shoes should I use for molding the slippers ?

  • Reply Marieke Cools August 24, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    I don”t understand, do you need old shoes or a special mould? Where can I buy it. I don”t no where I can buy it in The Netherlands

  • Reply Laura Dunkley September 3, 2019 at 11:40 am

    They were made using polystyrene shoe lasts – I believe they are available from Gillian Gladrag from the UK but also from etsy – possibly from the Netherlands? Hope you find them and good luck with making your slippers!

  • Reply Alice September 17, 2019 at 2:29 pm

    Wow! Cool!
    I also love wool!
    I bought Shoe lasts on ETSY here https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftToolShop
    This is a good product.
    And they also have good rubber sheets for soles.

  • Reply poli September 23, 2019 at 1:33 pm

    Could you advise where to buy lasts?

  • Reply poli September 23, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    I need to buy lasts. Could you advise where to buy lasts?

  • Reply Marrita Black March 15, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    What size shoe last should I buy? Will they shrink after slipper comes off last?
    Best regards

  • Reply Katia Vera November 25, 2022 at 5:31 am

    Several years ago I made felted wool slippers for the whole family but used a different method where I’d place the wool on both sides of a cardboard mold of the sole 30% larger than the size I was making. then proceeded to full the wool the way it’s explained above and when the wool had shrunk enough, I proceeded to remove the cardboard mold and placed the slipper on a last and kept on fulling the slipper on top of the last until it was felted to my liking. It was fun to do and everybody was happy with their slippers. It did take a couple of weeks to finish all 5 pairs and I must admit that it did take a little trial and error but my husband and sons still wear their slippers to date. I’ve had to mend them a couple of times and did have to change the cork they had as a sole. After a couple of years I also added felted wool insoles to make them more comfortable because of the wear and tear.. Since I was unable to get the wool roving, I bought chunky wool yarn that had very little twist and pulled it bit by bit. Each pair of slippers took about 100g of wool. I didn’t need them to be very thick because we live in Mexico and our winters hardly ever go below 0ªC. I liked the method shown above to make the slippers. I might try it next time.

    • Reply Laura Dunkley December 1, 2022 at 2:40 pm

      Wonderful – thanks so much for sharing!

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