How to Add Suede to Knit Slippers
Suede bottoms on knit slippers make the slippers less slippery and help them last longer. Suede has a slightly rough surface which provides better traction than knit. If the suede soles wear out you can easily replace them. You can purchase pre-cut suede soles or make your own by tracing a pattern of your foot and cutting out the suede with sharp scissors. Some people make separate heel and sole sections for their hand-knit slippers, but the process for attaching them is the same.
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Things You'll Need
- Leather punch or nail
- Hammer
- Tissue paper
- Darning needle
- Yarn
- Suede soles
Instructions
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1
Punch stitching holes around the edges of the suede soles to make them easier to attach to your slippers. Some purchased soles come pre-punched. Use a leather punch or nail and hammer to punch a hole every ½ inch along the entire edge of the soles.
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2
Stuff the slippers with tissue paper to shape them as if feet are in them.
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3
Thread a darning needle with yarn to match your slippers and knot the end of the yarn. Hold the suede sole against the bottom of the slipper. Starting at the heel, pull the yarn through the hole in the sole, then the slipper. Sew with an overcast stitch all the way around the slipper.
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4
Sew a few extra stitches when you reach the heel again, overlapping your beginning stitches. Knot the end of the yarn close to the slipper and trim any excess yarn. Remove the tissue paper.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a contrasting color to accent the stitching around the sole. Instead of a simple overcast you can cross stitches in an X pattern.
Choose washable suede to make laundering your slippers easier.
