BAD HIDE Report post Posted June 7, 2011 I'm considering making some footwear and I have some questions before I start buying stuff. I have a sandal pattern I found in an older book and basic tools, just not any machines or cobbler's tools. How hard is sole leather? Can it be handsewn? Would soaking it help? Should I be doing a hidden stitch on the bottom side or will a deep saddle groove suffice? Or should I just glue and use cobbling nails 1" spacing around the perimeter? If I use a rubber soling sheet for tread, can that just be glued on? Any answers would be of great help, thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted June 8, 2011 Hi Jerome, Sole leather, especially the good Belgian stuff is pretty hard. Dry, a knife won't cut it very well. Wet, it can be handsewn. A shoe and a sandal will consist of an insole and and outsole. The insoles are usually made of shoulder, but not the stretchy stuff up around the neck. I use 12 iron insoles (about 1/4" or 16 oz) but 9 or 10 iron will work for sandals, maybe even thinner as you don't usually have a holdfast and lay in a welt. Outsoles are soling leather, the hard stuff, which you will need at least a 3-in-1 or a Tandy embosser/cutter to cut. I have seen a few 1-in-1 machines too. Then again, there's the band saw and it works great. If you wet the soling for about 6 hours, it will cut pretty easily with a very sharp knife. You can use rubber soling and glue it on. You need to use really good contact cement and triple coat it. Nails I wouldn't use as you will need a repair last to clinch them. If you have someone around with a sewing machine like a Landis 12 (shoe repair shop), you can have them sew the soles on after you glue and trim them. You need to groove the bottoms or the stitches will wear out, the Landis 12 does it for you. Keep in mind I am not a sandalmaker and build them like I would shoes. Hopefully the folks who do a lot of sandals can give you a bit of help. Art I'm considering making some footwear and I have some questions before I start buying stuff. I have a sandal pattern I found in an older book and basic tools, just not any machines or cobbler's tools. How hard is sole leather? Can it be handsewn? Would soaking it help? Should I be doing a hidden stitch on the bottom side or will a deep saddle groove suffice? Or should I just glue and use cobbling nails 1" spacing around the perimeter? If I use a rubber soling sheet for tread, can that just be glued on? Any answers would be of great help, thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
r lenna Report post Posted June 11, 2011 (edited) What book did you get your pattern out of or could you post it. I would love to see it... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_id=41655 Lets see if this works Edited June 11, 2011 by r lenna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alb Report post Posted June 12, 2011 Awesome photos! Thanks! Ann What book did you get your pattern out of or could you post it. I would love to see it... http://leatherworker...attach_id=41655 Lets see if this works Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted June 12, 2011 Your welcome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandyt Report post Posted July 23, 2011 Very nice sandals. I will make me a pair in the future for sure. So thanks. Sandy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
