1860s Berlin Wool Slippers || A Civil War Sewing Project Vlog

After spending months embroidering the uppers to these slippers, they were finally ready to be put into shoes!
This was really just the final product. I made the test runs months prior to starting to film videos so there is no footage of that. If you're planning on making your own, always make mock ups before starting to embroider that way you know the slipper will fit.
The canvas I used for the wool work was Penelope canvas. I believe I either used 16 or 18 mesh. The wool I used is Appleton's crewel wool. I made my own pattern this time but there are lots of original patterns online (particularly Pinterest). They often don't come with providence so they can be hard to date. Look for ones you can document, like Godey's or Peterson's. If all else fails, you can look at enough patterns in those magazines to train your eye to recognize period shapes and designs and then discern if the undocumented example you are looking at may be your period or not.
The slippers are lined with tissue silk taffeta and interlined with a heavy starched cotton, although current research suggests that polished cotton was used as a lining instead of silk. I used a thin leather for the soles and used wool/cotton batting for the inner soles.
View originals and more at: atimeinhistory...
#Berlinwoolwork, #embroidery, #shoes, #needlepoint, #livinghistory, #1860s, #costube, #livinghistory, #victorian, #fashion, #historicalfashion, #historicalcostuming, #victorianfashion, #19thcentury, #diyshoes

[@lesleyharris525]

They turned out so pretty. ❤

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you! I am extremely proud of them. lol. I need to make up a few more pairs but that Berlin work is a lot of work!

[@irenegarcia67]

Your Crewel work is superb. Beautiful

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you! It's just a cross stitch so it isn't difficult-just incredibly time consuming :). I've already started to embroider a second pair-this one is turning out better as I learned so much this first time.

[@PecanCorner]

You should be proud! Wow what a great project. They are perfect for your dress... ooop.. your wrapper. I'm really enjoying your channel, thank you for sharing your knowledge and work! :-) Tina

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you! They took forever but I am so happy with them. Now if only events will start opening up so they can get some love and wear :).

[@PecanCorner]

@@KatelynKearns Yes! I cannot believe how cute they are. If I could get my attention span under control I would try to make some myself. You make them seem "doable". Be sure to share some pics when you get to wear them, or maybe even film a little if it is ok? I don't get to attend many things, they are all too far away from me so I enjoy hearing about them :-) Tina

[@KatelynKearns]

@@PecanCorner Fingers crossed for a first-person event in September! If it doesn't get cancelled, the slippers will make a debut!

[@jenniferstocker5462]

So interesting, I just purchased a pair of antique uppers and was wondering how to construct the slippers… yours turned out wonderfully!

[@KatelynKearns]

Oooh, that's wonderful! I haven't come across any embroidered uppers but I would love to own them. You're fortunate to come across them. What a fabulous thing to add to a collection!

[@heinzguderianbutmoreyounge9659]

Any tips to found the uppers? Looking them for years but never found it

[@jenniferstocker5462]

I found them on eBay...