DIY
Chewbacca & Big Foot Slippers
or (Holy CHEWBACCA this Post is FINALLY
FINISHED!!!)
I think the title sums it up pretty well. Let’s get started
because I totally love how these turned out and I know you are excited to hear
how I made myself one fine & uber fuzzy pair of Chewbacca Slippers &
Big Foot Slippers so you can go craft yourself up a pair as well! These can
also be modified to make Panda Slippers, Killer Rabbit Slippers, Abominable
Snowman Slippers, Narwhal Slippers or even one fine pair of Unicorn Slippers for those of you looking to change the look a little bit. We
can go over a bit of that in the end but for now we’re going to make ourselves
some Chewbacca Slippers!
The first set of slippers were made for my boyfriend for one
very good reason, he just had to have Chewbacca Slippers! Unfortunately, not
only were they not available for purchase for adults, but I read online that
when made available, they are only going to go up to a size 12 men’s,
and he is a size 15 so that wasn’t going to work at all. That left me no other
choice but to make him a set of slippers myself.
I purchased a pair of children’s Chewbacca Slippers off ebay
and cut the heads off and sewed them onto the slippers. If you plan on doing
this I recommend you wait until the slippers have arrived before picking up
brown faux fur to match. I finally found a decent match on fur color @ Joanns…sort of.
It didn’t match perfectly but it matched a bit better than the images indicate.
If you do not want to order Chewbacca Slippers just to cut the heads off (I
realize it seems a bit ridiculous but I wanted my first ones to be perfect!), I
have added details on how to make the heads yourself below if you would rather.
I really wanted to offer 2 different ways in which to make
these, the first being where you essentially cover a pre-made pair of slippers,
and then for the serious crafters, an all out fully handmade pair of slippers
for those that don’t like the idea of buying pre-made slippers and Chewbacca
Heads and such. Below you will find instructions for both to help you along as
well as instructions for making the Chewbacca heads and ways in which to cover
a different slipper style than the one I have in the instructions.
May the (Crafting) Force Be With You…
Lindsay ;)
DIY
Chewbacca Slippers
(using pre-made slippers as a base)
(using pre-made slippers as a base)
Materials:
Scissors
1 med-large sewing needle
Brown thread
1 pair of slippers (to cover with faux fur)
½ yard brown faux fur
Set of Chewbacca heads
Here is a pair of slippers that look similar to what I used as
a base pair of slippers for the project. If you have a different styled
slipper, see below these directions for help on altering the style.
http://www.s2999.com/chewbacca-slippers.html
This
link shows what the original slippers look like. If you like the white/ black
eye look it’s pretty easy to replicate by simply cutting out a small oval shape
for the eyes and then stitching a small round piece of black fabric in the
center of each white piece.
Instructions:
Take the pair of slippers and a piece of paper (newspaper
works). Starting at the top of the slipper, hold or pin the paper down and then
work your way down to the toe and pin down. Go back up to the top and pin down
the sides. Cut the paper out ½” extra to
allow for the seam allowance. Then work your way around the sides and then down
around the base of the slipper. You are going to want to trim the paper as you
go, but make sure you keep about a half inch of paper around the edges. Trim
little cuts in the sides as needed so as to round out the curved areas. On the
slippers I picked up, they also had a back heel and side area on them so I did
the same as the front and sort of molded out a paper version of the piece I
needed, leaving a half inch of fabric for the seams on all sides. I started by
pinning the paper at the heel and then pining around the sides. You are leaving
a half inch at each seam so that you can tuck in and sew down the faux fur.
Once you have a paper copy made lay the faux fur out on a fold
and cut out 2 of the large slipper pieces. Ad you added the small cuts to the
paper version to get the rounded areas to curve in, you are going to want to do
the same here, but wait until you have started sewing down the faux fur down
before you cut the sides. Thread your sewing needle and starting with the top
of the slipper, take the front faux fur panel for the correct foot, fold over
the faux fur about half an inch and lay it over the slipper at the top where
the top of the slipper starts. Sew the faux fur down across the top of the
slipper and down the sides. When you sew the fur down make sure you keep all
stitches very tight on the inside so when you slip your feet in your toes don’t
get caught up in big hand stitches inside. No one wants that. My toes don’t
even like thinking about that so take care to not have big stitches on the
inside.
I also found I didn’t want big stitches on the outside unless
I pulled fur out from underneath the threads. In many cases though slipping the
needle through one side and then back in through the foamy slipper part and
then out the other side in a different area worked the best. This will take
time to hand sew but work your way down the sides, keeping the fabric folded
down the sides as well. Next begin to hand sew the fabric down starting in the
front center top and working my way down the front of the slipper until you
reach the toe. Sew the front toe area down and wrap the fabric up and under a
half inch. You may have to trim some of the faux fur at this time. Once you
have the toe area sewn down work your way around one side, folding and sewing
the hem of the fur up and under. As you go, make small incisions like you did
with the paper version so the edges round more easily. Work your way down and
around one side until the fabric is all sewn down and then go back toward the
toe area and do the same thing down and around the other side. Once you have
done that, fold and sew down the extra pieces of faux fur to the heel area, and
then do the very same thing to the other slipper.
Once your slippers are well covered in faux fur you are going
to want to take your Chewbacca heads and sew them onto the top front of your
slippers. As you do this, take care not to have any large stitches on the
inside of the slipper so as to avoid getting your toes caught up in the
slipper. Repeat with the other foot and wha-la! Your Chewbacca Slippers are now
complete!
Making changes to a different styled pair of
slippers
If you have a slipper style different, you are going to want
to alter your pattern slightly. For the pair above, instead of separating the
front upper piece with a side/ heel piece as shown below, you will want to have
upper slipper probably all one piece. I would start by measuring the length of
the foot, adding 1” for seams, and pin the fur in the center of the fabric to
the top of the slipper area. I have marked that area with an asterisk in the
image below.
Next I am going to cut 1” out from where the seam is around
the top of the slpper and around the sides and close down the heel. Pin the fur
at the heel areas and then begin to flatten out the fur starting at the
asterisk top and moving your way down the top towards the toe and pin at the
toe, trimming the fabric at least ½” so you can tuck the fur under
and it won’t come up and fall apart on you later. I recommend pinning and
working your way both from the heel in and trim the tow outward evenly so you
can trim, snip and fold up so it’s clean.
DIY Chewbacca/ Bigfoot Heads
(to add to slippers or something equally
awesome ;)
Materials:
Scissors
med-large sewing needle
Brown thread
2-4-5” diameter circle pieces of brown faux fur
Small round black pieces of fabric to serve as eyes-the size
of a dime or slightly smaller
(optional) small white oval shaped fabric pieces
(optional) small tufts of a lighter brown faux fur for the very top of the Chewbacca Heads
Instructions:
Take one of the pieces of faux fur and wrap it into a round
shape about the size of a tennis ball or slightly smaller. Figure out where the
eyes are going to be on the front top and sew them on. If you are adding bit of
a different colored fur on top add it at this point. If you are adding plastic
eyes follow the instructions on the package but essentially you will make very
small cuts in the fabric, put the eye on the outside and the backing on the
inside and you have eyes. Once you have added the eyes and any extra fur to the
Chewbacca head you will want to tuck the ends of the fur into the back so you
have a little round fur ball and sew the back up. Repeat with the other
Chewbacca head.
*Here is a link to a search on Chewbacca Heads to help you
along…
Complete DIY Chewbacca/ Bigfoot Slippers
Materials:
Scissors
1 sewing needle
Brown thread
Paper
½ yard brown faux fur
Set of Chewbacca heads or see above to make your own
1/6 yard or less-1”-2” thick foam (measure out length and
width of each foot and purchase the correct amount based on those measurements)
Batting 1/3 yard *perhaps slightly less depending on the size
you need
Soft fabric for the inside of the slippers-you can use suede
cloth for the base of the slippers, or a cotton fabric or even a thinner faux
fur or fleece really. I would recommend however it not be a slippery or
stretchy fabric as such a lining can cause you to slip and we don’t want that.
Instructions:
Okay,
so before we get started I just want to say a few quick things on making
slippers from scratch. Sometimes, if you are not careful, they can turn out
absolutely terrible. I am speaking from experience on this one but the good
news I have worked out some fundamental flaws from the past ‘slipper makings’
and now I think I have it down. I will also say this. I was not thrilled with
the quality of the original children’s Chewbacca Slippers that I ordered. They
looked really cool, but they just didn’t feel all that substantial. I know
because I slipped my feet in to see how small they were when they arrived and
the foam lining with the thin lining fabric needed a little bit of an upgrade
in my opinion. So therefore, don’t worry if your new Slippers turn out less
than perfect because they will be much higher quality than the children’s
version sold online. How about that for an incentive? ;)
With that being said let’s get started. Take the foam and put
your foot on it and trace with a marker around your foot-either one will
work-about ½” outward
from there for a little wiggle room. Next cut the foam foot piece out, lay it
over the other piece of foam for the other foot and cut that one out so you now
have a foam piece for each foot. Once you have the foam pieces cut out take one
of the foam pieces and the paper and place the foam foot in the center of the
paper and wrap the sides of the paper up and around Take the brown fuzzy fabric
and lay it out wrong side up-*but make sure the grain for the fabric is facing forward
toward the toe.
Lay the foam over the faux fur, and wrap the fur up and around
the foam about ¼” and then
cut around this perimeter all the way around the foam slipper. Flip this piece
over right side up and then cut another piece for the other foot.
Now you have 2 foam pieces and 2 bottom fabric pieces. Place
the bottom faux fur pieces aside and one of the foam pieces. Take the other
foam piece and lay out a fabric you are using for the bottom inside lining and
cut out ½” wider than around the top of the
foam piece. Flip this piece over and cut out another piece for the other foot.
Now you need to cut 2 pieces of fabric for the top half of the slippers, as
well as a matching piece of batting for the inside of each foot. All pieces for
the slippers are now cut. 
Take the brown fuzzy
fabric and lay it out wrong side up-*but make sure the grain for the fabric is
facing forward toward the toe. Lay the foam over the faux fur, and wrap the fur
up and around the foam about ¼” and then cut around this perimeter all the
way around the foam slipper. Flip this piece over right side up and then cut
another piece for the other foot.
Now you have 2
foam pieces and 2 bottom fabric pieces. Place the bottom faux fur pieces aside
and one of the foam pieces. Take the other foam piece and lay out a fabric you
are using for the bottom inside lining and cut out ½” wider than around the top of the foam
piece. Flip this piece over and cut out another piece for the other foot. Now
you need to cut 2 pieces of fabric for the top half of the slippers, as well as
a matching piece of batting for the inside of each foot. All pieces for the
slippers are now cut.
Take the pieces you just cut out for the top of the slippers
and sew the batting along the straight edge of the underside of the
inside lining piece. Repeat with the other foot piece. Next take the top
piece and place it so that the top piece and lining piece are facing each other
right sides together (the batting will be on the top of the inside lining piece)
and sew along the straight line. Flip the pieces over so the faux fur side is
right side up and the inside lining piece is inside (and batting hidden inside)
and stitch around the sides and around the front of the slipper top and then
repeat with the other foot. Then take the inside bottom foot piece and sew the
top piece to the inside lining piece.
Place
the slipper tops aside and take the bottom faux fur pieces and begin to sew
little gathers around all edges of the bottom piece except for the inside foot
area so you are essentially making a little fabric bowl for your foam foot piece.
Repeat with the other foot.
Once you have the foot pieces made for each foam piece, place
the foam pieces inside the faux fur to test the size. If they fit you’re good.
If the foam pieces are a little big, trim so the foam pieces fit inside
perfectly and then remove the foam pieces.
Next you are going to want to take the top piece to one of the
slippers and the matching bottom faux fur foot piece and line it up so that the
top piece is wrong side up and the bottom fur piece is right side up and then
begin to sew around the edge of the slipper from the toe outward toward the
heel, leaving about 2-3” towards the heel and then sew back on your original
stitches back toward the toe and up and around the other side, again leaving a
bit on the other side toward the heel because you are going to want to have
enough room to fit the foam piece inside and then sew up the heel area. Before
adding the foam insert flip the slipper right side out and take a look at those
seams. If you need to repeat your sewing of the inside seams flip it back
inside out and sew inward from the original seams you sewed about ¼” in and then flip it right side
out again. Repeat with the other foot and then add the foam.
Once you have the foam pieces inserted then sew up the heels,
pinch in the edges of the fabric and sew the heel seams clean. Once finished,
sew the heads on and you are all set. Woot! You have yourself a new pair of
slippers. Don and model…
You are officially
finished! You're so crafty....
Lindsay J
Modifying slippers are as easy and changing the heads and base fabric. The best way to get ideas is to search the internet...
For example:
Killer Rabbit Slippers: https://www.google.com/search?q=killer+rabbit+slippers&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHKZ_enUS434US434&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BLU7UIKsOeGzyAGFsoHgDg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1527&bih=877
Unicorn Slippers: https://www.google.com/search?q=killer+rabbit+slippers&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHKZ_enUS434US434&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BLU7UIKsOeGzyAGFsoHgDg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1527&bih=877#hl=en&rlz=1C1CHKZ_enUS434US434&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=unicorn+slippers&oq=unicorn+slippers&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l6j0i5i24l3.51547.57742.0.58490.23.16.7.0.0.0.96.1402.16.16.0...0.0...1c.GiaGvdkrADw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=fda717838f05e3f&biw=1527&bih=877
*Nothing decent comes up for Narwhal Slippers people...)
*Other Chewbacca / Bigfoot things I like (for inspiration and all ;)
(this next one was
weird…)
and the Chewbacca Messenger Bag…
http://majorspoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/image004.jpg
http://markgillianaksel.blogspot.com/2011/07/jellies-jams-and-bigfoot-slippers.html
and then the
slippers in the link below are the cutest
(as is the little munchkin modeling them :)
http://markgillianaksel.blogspot.com/2011/07/jellies-jams-and-bigfoot-slippers.html
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