Needlepoint Shoes - Plus a Tutorial

I've gotten quite a few questions about the 1:12 slippers I made and blogged about in my previous post.  Here's a little background on my passion for needlepoint. As you can probably tell by now, I'm nuts over needlepoint - anything needlepoint.  I have a needlepoint vest, needlepoint purse, needlepoint belt, needlepoint boxes, needlepoint tapestries, needlepoint carpet(s)….the list goes on and on.

I stitched these shoes - a combination of silk and metallic threads - the finished canvas was sent away for professional finishing - and YES - I wear them on occasion.

I have this canvas in my stash - complete with the threads to stitch up - they are on my "To Do" list….

Here is a canvas I painted for Fleur de lis shoes.  Again, on my "To Do" list…..

Now - back to the 1:12 slippers.  I promise I'll post a pattern for a pair - most likely by the end of the month, so I can design, stitch and finish them up. I used the 'human size' outline (above) as a guide for the 1:12 slippers.  Yep, went from GI-NOR-MOUS to wee-itty-bitty. I used graph paper and a pencil (yep - there was a lot of erasing going on) - the graph below isn't even close to the final design.

I was going to put together a tutorial on how I finished the 1:12 slippers, but found this outstanding tutorial instead and thought I'd share.  Take a look at Scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com.  It's amazing.

I pretty much had the same approach as Natalie shows, but I used four strands of DMC floss and made the cording for around the top of the shoes.  I stitched the backs of the shoes closed instead of gluing them, used blue material I had on hand for the inside (versus silk) and used white felt for the bottom of the soles.

I hope this will inspire you to take a plunge and try this for yourself.  It's a lot of fun - And I promise I'll post a pattern for you for a pair of slippers before the end of the month.