Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Autumn leaf ballet slippers from scratch
- 18 September 2013
- click to send Christine a smile
The ballet slippers are made from Katsura Tree (Cercidyphyllum japonica) leaves
![Draw the slipper pattern on thin paper Draw the slipper pattern on thin paper](/images/2013/09/draw-the-slipper-pattern-on-thin-paper-p.jpg?inside=600x600)
Draw the slipper pattern on thin paper
![Fold the thin paper over the drawn slipper pattern Fold the thin paper over the drawn slipper pattern](/images/2013/09/fold-the-thin-paper-over-the-drawn-slipper-pattern-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Fold the thin paper over the drawn slipper pattern
![Copy the ballet slipper pattern Copy the ballet slipper pattern](/images/2013/09/copy-the-ballet-slipper-pattern-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Copy the pattern for the other ballet slipper.
![Open the thin paper Open the thin paper](/images/2013/09/open-the-thin-paper-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Open the thin paper. You now have two slippers, one right sole and a left sole.
![Cut out the ballet slipper pattern Cut out the ballet slipper pattern](/images/2013/09/cut-out-the-ballet-slipper-pattern-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Cut out the ballet slipper pattern
![Place the two slipper soles next down on a working surface. Place the two slipper soles next down on a working surface.](/images/2013/09/place-the-two-slipper-soles-next-down-on-a-working-surface-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Place the two slipper soles down on a working surface.
![Connect the ends of the upper part of the pattern Connect the ends of the upper part of the pattern](/images/2013/09/connect-the-ends-of-the-upper-part-of-the-pattern-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Connect the ends of the upper (toe) part of the pattern with masking tape
![Tape the upper to the sole Tape the upper to the sole](/images/2013/09/tape-the-upper-to-the-sole-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Tape the upper to the sole
![Tape the upper to the sole following the contours. Tape the upper to the sole following the contours.](/images/2013/09/tape-the-upper-to-the-sole-following-the-contours-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Continue to tape the upper to the sole following the contours with a few more strips of masking tape.
![Continue to tape the upper Continue to tape the upper](/images/2013/09/continue-to-tape-the-upper-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Continue to tape the upper...
![Do the same with the other slipper Do the same with the other slipper](/images/2013/09/do-the-same-with-the-other-slipper-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
... all the way around. Do the same with the other slipper
![Paper slippers ready to design with Paper slippers ready to design with](/images/2013/09/paper-slippers-ready-to-design-with-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Paper slippers ready to design with
![Wash and dry a few autumn leaves Wash and dry a few autumn leaves](/images/2013/09/wash-and-dry-a-few-autumn-leaves-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Wash and dry a few autumn leaves
![Cut the leaves in irregular blocks Cut the leaves in irregular blocks](/images/2013/09/cut-the-leaves-in-irregular-blocks-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Cut the stems from the leaves and set aside. Cut a few of the leaves in irregular blocks.
![Glue the fall leaves to the paper slipper. Glue the fall leaves to the paper slipper.](/images/2013/09/glue-the-fall-leaves-to-the-paper-slipper-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Glue the fall leaves to the paper slipper.
![Overlap the leaves so that it will still cover the paper as it dries and shrinks Overlap the leaves so that it will still cover the paper as it dries and shrinks](/images/2013/09/overlap-the-leaves-so-that-it-will-still-cover-the-paper-as-it-dries-and-shrinks-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Overlap the leaves so that it will still cover the paper as it dries and shrinks
![Cover the paper slipper with fall leaves Cover the paper slipper with fall leaves](/images/2013/09/cover-the-paper-slipper-with-fall-leaves-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Completely cover the paper slipper with fall leaves so that it can be picked up and viewed from all angles
![Smooth down the edges of the leaves to lie flat Smooth down the edges of the leaves to lie flat](/images/2013/09/smooth-down-the-edges-of-the-leaves-to-lie-flat-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Smooth down the edges of the leaves to lie flat
![Reach deep into the slipper toe and cover the inside sole Reach deep into the slipper toe and cover the inside sole](/images/2013/09/reach-deep-into-the-slipper-toe-and-cover-the-inside-sole-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Reach deep into the slipper toe and cover the inside sole
![Flip the slipper over and cover the sole Flip the slipper over and cover the sole](/images/2013/09/flip-the-slipper-over-and-cover-the-sole-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Flip the slipper over and cover the sole
![Autumn leaf slippers ready to design with Autumn leaf slippers ready to design with](/images/2013/09/autumn-leaf-slippers-ready-to-design-with-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Autumn leaf slippers ready to design with
![Glue on the leaf stems to add texture Glue on the leaf stems to add texture](/images/2013/09/glue-on-the-leaf-stems-to-add-texture-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Glue on the leaf stems to add texture
![Set aside for the glue to bond Set aside for the glue to bond](/images/2013/09/set-aside-for-the-glue-to-bond.pg-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Set aside for the glue to bond before adding any fresh floral details
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Tutorials
The finish of every design should be flawless. Make sure there are no bits of glue visible in your design by carefully removing all traces of spills.
I used to make baskets full of these when I was a little girl. We had a big Acasia thorn tree and I used to spear my “roses” onto the tree pretending I was the fairy responsible...
Great way to use all the autumn leaves you collect on walks during the season. Slowly build up the leaf rosette and let the leaves dry before adding a few more.