What is up with my flying slippers?

There's still plenty of time to enter the Quilting Happiness Giveaway, right HERE... Best of luck!

*****

It's chilly today. The sun's out, sure, but the air is crisp. I can feel it through these covers. Maybe I'll just stay nestled under here for a couple more minutes... Naw, I can't. It's a school day and The Boy will be off soon. His belly needs fillin' and his body needs clothin'. Time to get up.

Brrr, the floor's cold. Oh, my little feet. You need to be wrapped in somethin' warm this mornin', don't ya? It's slipper time. Where the blazes are my flying slippers?

Second drawer and to the left. There you are my babies. Let me put you on and everything will be right with the world again.

Wait! What's this I see? Oh no! Could it be? That's not a hole, is it? Why, yes it is!!! How in heaven's name did you get in there, I wonder!

Well, I guess I could be to blame for it. I trudged about in you babies for the better part of two wintery seasons now, eh? Trompin' across these floors, up the stairs and down again, and of course flyin' all over creation... I suspect that could account for the wear in you, my sweets.

Let's fix you up then. That's right. I'm not finished with you, not by a long shot. There's plenty of life left in you yet. Let me get The Boy off for the day and then I'll deal with you straight-away...

Okeedokey now. Let's just get out our needle and thread, and we'll fix you up so you're as good as new... Well, almost. Still... that's not so bad... Maybe Momma needs a bit more practice, eh?

Never you mind, you'll keep me airborne for a couple more seasons I wager. Very nice!

♥M

Learn how to darn your socks (or slippers) from The Coletterie: Darning. Or if you have time to sit for a bit, there's also:

• THIS video from Greenfibres that's long-ish but good. 
• And HERE is a fascinating set of videos showing an alternative method of repairing knitted socks courtesy of Knit Picks.

Drop-Dead Denim: Mary Janes (Or Should I Say "Mary Jeans"?)

FYI, the whole of September is Denim Month here at Michele Made Me. Did you know that denim is a "cotton twill in which the weft thread runs under two (or more) warp threads"? And did you also know that this weave is "what gives the backside of the fabric that telltale diagonal ribbing"? Well... now you know. Thank you Wikipedia.

I was considering calling this post: "Things I Learned From My Slippers" because these here Mary Jeans taught me some stuff I was not previously aware of.

Thing I Learned #1: I have alien feet.

The original pattern for Mary Janes by Akiko Mano, from the book Linen, Wool, Cotton, can be downloaded for free from the Canadian Living website. I didn't know I had hooves for feet (see my hooves in other slippers HERE) until I began making these pantofles using Akiko's pattern. But I had to remake my muslin test slipper a total of 7 times before ever putting scissor to denim. The pattern was even in my size. Yikes-y.

Thing I Learned #2: I can be quite patient when I want to be.

Which, by the way, isn't often. But 7 test slippers later, I was on my way.

Thing I Learned #3: I can be creative when the mood strikes.

Okay, that one I knew. But I'm pretty proud of some of the details I've added to make these slippers uniquely mine. For example, the strap is a black jean seam folded in two and zigzag-stitched together to make a wide strap. That's my favourite part of this project. But I also like the racing stripe down the side. Zoom.

Thing I Learned #4: I should not have used stretch-denim to make my Mary Jeans.

I would have been better off using the non-stretchy kind of jeans to make my slippers. I was trying to be a good citizen and use up some scraps. The stretch added a whole new dimension of difficulty to these little house shoes that I would have happily lived without.

Thing I Learned #5: Shoe-making is hard.

Cobblers are both artists and scientists all mixed in one. I am no cobbler. The universe was smiling sweetly on me when I made these slippers because they actually turned out okay. They were somewhat challenging however. But if you're prepared for the work ahead, then you too can make yourself a pair of pretty Mary Jeans. Again, download the free pattern HERE.

Today I'm Diggin' This Denim: Denim Cap by Zutusine

Well you have yourself a fine fine day. Tomorrow the author of Denim Revolution (and queen of Denim herself) Nancy Minsky will be here running the show. Wow, can't hardly believe it myself but there it is in black and white! I'll see you then!

I Can Touch The Sky.

Have you ever had footwear that made you feel feminine yet powerful, like a ballerina maybe, or even Wonder Woman? No. Me neither. Not until now.

This past weekend, I crocheted my very first pair of slippers from a couple balls of thrifted cotton yarn. And guess what? When I slip them on, not only do I feel the estrogen and sheer might coursing through my veins, I can fly like a bird.

You don't believe me do you? That's alright. I'd be skeptical in your shoes as well. But in this new pair of beauties, dagnabbit look at me! I'm SuperMich!!!

See what I mean?

Thank you Lo, my sweet man, for capturing me (or at least part of me - I was just too quick I guess...) on camera levitating, hovering and then flying off in my comfy new crocheted super-slippers. Now my lovely internet friends won't think me completely mad.

Will you?

Note: This turkish slipper pattern comes from Simple Crochet by Erika Knight published by Clarkson Potter © 2003. This book is filled with scrumptious yet accessible patterns that even I can crochet! These slippers are portrayed on the book's cover.