Suede Slipper Soles

Full suede soles for slippers you knit, crochet or felt yourself. The suede wraps about 3/4" up the sides, so it covers the bottom and the lower edge of the slipper, which is where handmade slippers wear out first. It also grips wood and tile floors better than bare wool or felt. The edges are pre-punched, so you can sew them on with yarn and a tapestry needle. No awl or leather needle needed.

• Genuine suede, made in the USA from domestic cowhide
• Sold as a pair (two soles)
• Sides come up about 3/4"
• Pre-punched holes around the edge for hand sewing
• Grey (a dark charcoal) or Camel
• Inch sizes from 4" to 13", not shoe sizes
• Hand wash only

Choosing a size

The size is the length of the sole in inches. It isn't a shoe size. Finish your slippers first (and felt and dry them, if they're felted), then lay one flat and measure the bottom on the outside, heel to toe. Pick the sole closest to that number. Roughly, 4" to 9" covers children's slippers and 9.5" to 13" covers adults.

Sewing them on

Yarn isn't included. A sturdy sock yarn with some nylon in it holds up best, or you can use the same wool you made the slippers with. Put the slipper on a foot or stuff it firmly so it holds its shape, line up the sole, and pin or baste it in place. Then whipstitch or backstitch through each punched hole and into the slipper all the way around.

If your slippers are felted, finish the felting and let them dry completely before you sew the soles on. Hot water and agitation will damage the suede.

What people use them for

Felted clogs are the most common. A feltable wool like Cascade 220 or anything from our felting yarn felts down thick enough to sew into. They also go on knitted slipper socks, crocheted slippers, baby booties, and older handmade slippers that have worn through on the bottom.

Questions about Suede Slipper Soles

Do I get one sole or two?

Two. Each one you order is a pair, enough for one pair of slippers.

Will suede soles make my slippers non-slip?

They help. Suede grips wood, tile and laminate much better than wool or felt does. It isn't rubber, though, so it won't grip like the sole of a shoe.

Can I use these on crochet slippers?

Yes. They sew onto crochet the same way they sew onto knitting or felt. Go through each punched hole and into the stitches along the bottom edge of the slipper.

Can I resole an old pair of slippers with these?

Yes, as long as you can get a needle through the slipper. If the old bottoms have holes in them, darn or patch those first so the new sole has something solid to sew to.

How do I wash slippers with suede soles?

By hand, in cool water with a wool wash. Don't put them in the washing machine. Roll them in a towel to press the water out and let them dry flat, away from heat. If the suede feels stiff once it's dry, flex it in your hands or brush it with a suede brush.

What's the difference between these and the Suede Slipper Bottoms?

These are full one-piece soles. The Suede Slipper Bottoms are a separate toe piece and heel piece, made for ballet-style slippers where a full sole won't fit. They come in Small, Medium and Large and include sock yarn for sewing them on.