I hate this and I know it's on for this year. Another TA and myself will get the job of sewing them up. Who decided on this topic?
The designing is OK but didn't the person who thought it up realise that slippers are sewn on an industrial machine and guess what schools have- ordinary sewing machines, if they are lucky. I broke mine and it couldn't be repaired last time I was given no recompense from school.
I find it really frustrating and most of the slippers are unwearable at the end.Therefore no satisfaction for the children. The hats are fine we make those on alternate years. Does anyone one else make something better than slippers.I saw once on TES that they made Tote bags and mentioned this idea. I was thinking with the push towards reusable bags I could mention this idea again. I think it's much more maker friendly. Do the boys think its ok ? Any other ideas please? i want to try and persuade the teachers not to make SLIPPERS.

how about christmas stockings for the tree

laundry bag to hang in their room

or does it need to be an item of clothing...i like the resuable bag idea, they are starting these in Sainsburys..could tie in with recyling

Last year we had the children bring in an old shoe/boot/trainer and had them make their own design they would like to put on it.

The old shoe as then covered in that thick brown gummed tape(lots of layers. When covered and dry the sole was cut off using stanley blade(adult did this) The ols shoe was carefully removed and the sole replace and covered with more tape.It was then painted/decorated following their design. The finished results were stunning. Try to get a photo for you, might take a day or two, bear with me

Hope that made sense

Our year 2s did sandals last year

I remember that my eldest did slippers (I think it was Year 5 or 6); they weren't ever intended to be worn, though - just designed and made with felt and foam...

Hope your ones go better this time, Jack! Fingers crossed...

Those sandals look good, Shirazee - did you do that display? It looks cool. 8)

THANKS Everyone

That display looks great. Our kids always want to wear them and are often disappointed because some, can some can't. They are made from old towels and cardboard so it doesn't cost them anything we offer feathers pom-pom to decorate. It's just so hard to sew through two layers of towelling and cardboard.The kids don't do the sewing because it's so difficult. I liked the Tote bag idea because they could put a pocket on it, they could applique something on, make a patchwork or striped one.It has to be something to use and slippers are the one suggested so everyone gets stuck on that.Last time I just wanted to scream by the end.

Anymore Yr 6 TA's or ideas so I don't have to do it this year please.

No idea of the curriculum on this one (wrong country), but what about carrier bag holders - can be made simply with tea towels, join along long edge and elastic top and bottom with a hanging loop - decorate. Kids could sew that by hand!

Thats a good cheap idea JD thanks.It could also be linked to saving bags to be reused.I will keep that one in mind.



Keep them coming please.

I think you'll find it's this unit that you are going to do.

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It does mention that this unit could be adapted to be broader to encompass 'footwear' or to focus on other textile products eg hats, soft toys, badges or wall hangings.


We've made soft toys before designed for different age groups. Also a school banner, hats. We made shoes once but never again.

Thats it Tiki thanks. I was going to look for it this morning. Soft toys would be good but it's more expensive -that is partly why they say slippers because they use an old towel. I think cushions would be good as again you can applique them or use fabric pens. I just feel the end product is important to the kids and if I can research and come up with some resources I have a better arguement.Thats why I think the Tote bag may be a winner and I have someone who can get material offcuts from a factory and it's topical. I am still open to suggestions as I want back for my arguement but at the end of the day it is the teachers decisions.

Did you buy or make a pattern for the soft toys or did you take one apart?

we disassembled one old toy to see how it was made up and then adapted it. and enlarged or made smaller the pattern using the photo copier. we used towelling, felt, old curtains in fact any scrap of material that we had. We made bags once but that didn't go down very well with the boys.

Even boys use drwastring bags for gym kit, swimming, etc.

Our boys use their sports bags. The girls Liked it but certainly not the boys.

I did wonder about the bags with the boys, thats why I thought tote bags were better -shopping bags eg.Tesco points,recycling.
Maybe they could have the option to make drawstring swim bags as lots don't have these. We could use a shower curtain.