DIY Tying Sandals

It’s been a while, but I made some fancy new sandals!

These are a slight adaptation of the Tying Sandals in “The sandalmaking workshop” book by @rachelseessnailshoes. The book comes with lots of mix-and-match patterns, and good instructions with lots of photos.

Last summer I tried to make these with Piñatex vegan leather alternative, but it didn’t feel robust enough to last a whole summer, and the natural rubber soles I used shrank in the Mediterranean heat 😭 The Piñatex was expensive so that was disappointing, but I still learned.

This time I followed the advice in the book: 1.8mm (4oz) leather for the uppers, 3.5mm (9oz) stiff leather for the footbeds, and 6mm (1/4”) vibram rubber soles.

I cut out the paper patterns first to see how it looked on my foot, then quickly moved to cutting, fitting, glueing, skiving (shaving the leather with a knife to remove bulk), and eventually sanding (in a cardboard box with arm holes in the sides and plastic wrap on top). It was my first time trying to skive leather and I did a pretty terrible job - but it’s hidden between the soles and footbeds so it’s ok right? 🙈

I love these sandals, they work with any outfit and I hope to wear them for years to come! Repairing as needed of course ☺️ I had so much fun making these that I bought some secondhand shoe lasts and a secondhand cobbler’s anvil to make shoes from the same book.

Have you tried making shoes or sandals before? Tips welcome!

#diyshoes #diysandals