Ok, slippers sounds better than booties... There have been quite a few threads recently on down UQ, TQ, neck warmers, underwear, etc. (ok, I'm exaggerating... just a bit)
I've always wanted a pair of down booties, but couldn't justify the cost. A while ago, I picked up a Frostline sleeping bag kit for a song, but really just wanted the down... Yes, 32oz of medium quality down (I'm guessing 650fp) for $20... not a bad deal.
I was inspired by another "I got cold feet" thread to give this a try. I made some fleece booties a while back from this pattern:
http://helpinghearts0.tripod.com/id11.html
And figured a down slipper isn't too far off. I enlarged the pattern about an inch all around, and made it a bit taller, too. I then cut two pieces out of 1.7 ripstop I had laying about, sewed up the perimeter, and added an ounce of down.
Then I sewed up the top, added grosgrain to the bottom edge, broke out the CCF pad and cut a sole. On both sides of the sole, I added a piece of spun poly fabric from a reusable shopping bag. To tie the sole in, I used my stitching awl and attached the sole to the grosgrain. I managed to sew it a bit small, so I trimmed the sole just a bit, and flipped it right-side out:
The result: 1 really warm foot that needs a sole about 1" longer...
So, the next one will be about another 1" bigger all around. I'm thinking with some 1.7 outside to make it stiff, some 1.1 inside would allow the down to loft up and remove all airspace around my foot.
Despite it being just a bit small, this is really really warm... I'm off to make a larger 2nd and third.
John
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I have the ripstop.
Originally Posted by TFC Rick
dang John you want a job? The FT socks are one of the most involved labor intensive items we make. More hours go into each pair than any other product in the AHE catalog. $5 an hour plus materials is a bargain. 
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