4th Quarter Challenge: the Making of Elf Boots.
Recently Karen Lane did a post on Christmas ornaments. fourth-quarter-challenge
I thought the elf boots she made were so cute I would have a go at making some for our tree too.
I drew one out the size I wanted then scaled it up.
I traced it. I like this underlay. You can see through it to trace things out. I have some blue stuff that’s opake and I have to cut things out to trace around or work it out, right on the underlay with a marker.
Then I have some “sheep” wool in a batt that was a nice gree so I laid it out wet it and started the rubbing.
I did some rolling with a mini pool noodle and some shelf liner. when it was ready I cut them apart.
I worked them one at a time. you can see the difference between the start and finished.
I have some gold Beada tinsel, non-tarnishing that was probably bought in 1960. It is a thin cord. I used it to make the laces.
having success I decided to make some more. Now, you would think after all this time and the fact that I warn my students about directional shrinkage, I would have known better than to lay the wool (merino top) across the boots because it would be easier to wrap it around. Needless to say, the foot part is much thinner. So perhaps they belong to some clown elves.
I think I will try it again. They are fiddly to finish but I enjoy having something to do with my hands watching BritBox shows in the evening.
Have you done anything for the 4th quarter challenge? We would love to see them. You can post them over on the forum. https://feltandfiberstudio.proboards.com/thread/4214/2020-fourth-quarter-challenge
13 thoughts on “4th Quarter Challenge: the Making of Elf Boots.”
They are SO cute, Ann. You’ve got a little elf shoe boutique going on! They will look fab on your tree. I didn’t quite understand what you said about the layout: what did you decide was the best layout?
Thanks Lyndsay. Because they take so little wool, with most of them I laid all the wool going across the foot. So really they only shrank in that direction, making skinny feet. I should have done 2 directions.
These are lovely Ann. I particularly like the red pair with the yellow trim. Regarding the layout, I do one layer vertical and the other horizontal to get even shrinkage. I also shape the foot so it’s wider near the ankle and narrower at the toe. They are very fiddly but worth the effort.
Thanks Karen. yes I should have done 2 directions to get more even shrinkage. The first one from the batt was best but I only have the one colour and have no idea what kind of wool it is or I would get more and dye it myself. Yes, fiddly but fun.
I use Superfine Merino for mine. As they are so tiny I find the finer the fibre the easier it is to get an even covering.
They are so sweet! They will look so good hanging on your tree.
If you get to like making them perhaps they will make an appearance on your stall for next Christmas?
Thanks Lyn, Yes, They might just get a place on the table. Lets hope we get to have stalls next year. I only do 2 shows in the fall but I really missed them.
I love these Ann. They will certainly be a beautiful addition to your Christmas tree. They brought back a memory of a little Ladybird book I had as a child “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. ❤
Thank you Helene. I haven’t thought about ladybird books in years. I had some as a child. sent over from England after we moved to Canada. Are ladybird books still published?
These are really cute ❤️. I understood immediately about the directional shrinkage. I made some Yorkie dog boots once and did a layout like that. They of course didn’t fit the dog’s feet. They would have made nice elf shoes but I didn’t think of that at the time.
Thanks Ruth. Funny how we do know better but we still do it.
Love your elf boots. What size are they Ann?
I can agree from experience they are fiddly….I’m sure you will be smiling in a few days time with my post 🤪
Thanks Antje. They are about 10cm long. Can’t wait to see what you have been up to.