Every year, without fail, we find ourselves buying yet another pair of slippers during the fall. There’s always a delay in the time it takes for the weather to change such that we need to keep the heater on all the time, but that means our floors are extra chilly when we wake up in the morning and right before we go to bed, or if we get up for a drink of water in the middle of the night. This year, however, our DIY and crating senses started tingling, telling us that, if we’re going to need new slippers every year, perhaps we should save money and make the whole process more fun by making the slippers ourselves instead of constantly buying new ones?
Just in case you’re in the same boat as us when it comes to protecting yourself from chilly floors, here are 15 DIY slipper designs to help you get inspired and keep your toes warm this fall!
1. Kimono slippers
Between the adorable print on the material of these slippers and the way the fabric crosses over at the front over the toes, we can’t get enough of how cute these little kimono slippers look (or how much they actually remind us of a kimono)! We also like that they’re lined with another material inside because it gives them an opportunity to add a contrast colour, but it also means another warm layer for your feet! Get the full tutorial for making them on I Think Sew.
2. Tie-on slippers
Tissu Papers features this awesomely helpful info graphic for making your very own pair of wrap around slippers just like these! You might combine any pairing of of materials, the same way this picture shows you a solid on the outside and a bright pattern on the inside, or you might go bright with patterns all the way! These will keep your feet toasty on top of warm socks but they’ll also still be wearable in the summer if you take the socks off and just wear the slippers.
3. Sweatshirt slippers
If you’re going to make your own slippers, perhaps you’d prefer that they’re more than just a regular project and more of an upcycling venture all at once? Then check out these sweatshirt slippers made by Lately Reconstructed! Their tutorial shows you how to use the material of an old sweatshirt that you might have gotten rid of otherwise into some cozy house shows for chilly mornings.
4. Open toe felt slippers
Are you well stocked when it comes to warm knitted socks so you don’t need a pair of slippers that’s too hot, but you’d still like a nice, easy layer that will sit between your feet and the cold floor and slide on easily if you get up for a glass of water in the middle of the night? Then these slip-on felt sandal slippers by Purl Bee might be exactly what you’re looking for!
5. DIY bow slippers
Maybe you actually already have a pair of new slippers that you quite like, but you find them a little bit plain? That sounds like a great opportunity for embellishment! We’re particularly fond of these adorable little bows that Sugar and Cloth added to the toes along with some little painted polka dots. Their technique will work for most styles of slippers, so it’ll probably work for you!
6. Simple sewn slippers
Maybe style and fanciness aren’t really your biggest concern and you’d just like some simple slip-on slippers that will keep your feet warm while you make breakfast and help you practice some simple sewing techniques while you make them? Then we definitely recommend checking out this cute little design from Megan Ta-da! We actually made these ones in real life and we’re still wearing them two years later.
7. Upcycled sweater slippers
Did you like the idea of upcycling an old sweatshirt into a pair of slippers but you actually don’t have one that you’re willing to cut up? Perhaps you have a sweater instead! This will work too, and it might be even be softer than the sweatshirt design, depending on the sweater. It’s also simpler to do than you’d think! Check out the details and learn how to make your own on We Can Redo It.
8. Upcycled sweater slipper boots
Have you been going through this whole list hoping to find a higher pair of slippers that will also keep your ankles and calves warm? Then perhaps slippers boots are more your style! We completely adore these ones by Drawings Under the Table that are made from the sleeves of an old, cozy sweater that you won’t wear anymore.
9. Felt cat slippers
Pink Stripey Socks has another slipper adjustment project for you, just in case you have a pre-made pair of slippers already but you’re not sure about the bows design we talked about before! Check out how they made these cute little sleepy cat slippers by simply cutting and gluing some felt in the right shape and adding a cute little kitty cat face.
10. Bath towel slippers
Are there few textures you love more than the feeling of a warm towel on your skin when you step out of the shower? Have you ever noticed how warm towel material is when you wrap yourself in it? Then you’ll totally understand why Craftynest decided to make a pair of slippers out of an old, softly worn towel! Check out their upcycling and construction process to make your own.
11. Fuzzy bunny felt sweater slippers
Kids need slippers in the fall and winter too, but they might be a little bit pickier about which fabrics they want to wear against their little feet. That’s why we really liked this soft felt idea from Merriment Designs. As if the softness of the felt isn’t enough, check out how adorable those little bunny ears and noses are!
12. Denim slippers
Maybe you’re set on the idea of making your DIY slipper project and upcycling venture but the only real material or clothing you have up for grabs right now is an old pair of jeans? Well, The Guardian is here to save your day by showing you how to make some cute, slide on slippers out of denim! You’ll be surprised how warm the denim feels once your feet are in thanks to the padding in the bottom of the slippers.
13. DIY ballet slippers
Have your kids always enjoyed dancing and dreamed of becoming ballerinas when they’re older? Then why not make this year’s annual slippers a dress up opportunity for them as well? Shabby Raggy Roses walks you through the process of sewing a cute little pair of DIY ballet slippers for your kids (or for yourself, if you want to feel like a ballerina too)!
14. Sewn felt slippers
Are you looking for a simple pattern that can be made in any size and is cost efficient to buy the materials for and make? Then you definitely need to check out these adorable felt slippers from Martha Stewart! Their simple design and construction makes them the perfect Christmas gift for your whole family (and yourself, too).
15. DIY felt and sweater booties
Maybe you have a combination of sweater fabric and felt left over from other projects that you’d be more than happy to use for some DIY slippers? We think that’s a great idea, and so does This Sorta Old Life, who guide you through the process of making what might be one of the warmest slipper designs you’ll have ever worn! We always find the boot styles a little more toasty than the rest.
