Oakley Report post Posted August 20, 2012 My first pair of shoes ever. The flip flops are made out of blue horsehide, standard sole leather, black boxcalf straps which are padded with kangaroo leather and a stingray leather inlay. The straps are sewn with a Adler 30-1 the rest is handsewn. The extremly hard sole is carved out, where the straps are fixed and where the seem runs to get a flat surface for a better fit of the rubbersole. Positioning and designing the straps took me a few houres till i had the "perfect" fit. Nevertheless i will change it a bit if i try a second pair. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickybobby Report post Posted August 20, 2012 Beautiful job! I know you didn't ask for critique but one word of advice may help for your next pair... When gluing the sole on to your footbed, (before stitching) pull up the toe area of the sole about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, and press the foot bed on . This allows the toe area of the sandal to have the natural "Roll" needed for walking. it won't look like much but it will help a bunch. When glued flat there is a greater chance of tripping because the toe does not have the roll needed to keep your stride. It is a mistake I made on my first pair and an experienced boot/shoe maker pointed this out to me. Others I made after that were easier to walk in. They are very nice and you should be proud! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oakley Report post Posted August 20, 2012 Thank you for your advice. I appreciate advice and critique. I'm sure there's much more which could be improved. Thank you for your kind words ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted August 20, 2012 Nice job !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted August 21, 2012 My first pair of shoes ever. The flip flops are made out of blue horsehide, standard sole leather, black boxcalf straps which are padded with kangaroo leather and a stingray leather inlay. The straps are sewn with a Adler 30-1 the rest is handsewn. The extremly hard sole is carved out, where the straps are fixed and where the seem runs to get a flat surface for a better fit of the rubbersole. Positioning and designing the straps took me a few houres till i had the "perfect" fit. Nevertheless i will change it a bit if i try a second pair. great looking flip-flops....man, dont show them to my girls at home....or they want me to make em a pair or two every 4 weeks....haha....great job on this pair....and the advice about the "roll" for the toes makes sense....!! Thanks for sharing!! James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blazin Report post Posted August 24, 2012 Very nice! I'd like to see a picture of how the main strap that rides between the big toe attaches down to through the sole of the leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oakley Report post Posted August 25, 2012 @Blazin: I don't know exactly what you mean. I think on the photo you can see it quite good. First of all i drille a hole into the sole leather then i covered it with the blue horsehide. Into the horsehide i punched a little bit smaller hole to get a nice edge. On the bottom side i split the kangaroo strap, which is made out of two pieces which are handsewn. These pieces (around 2 inches long) were glued to the sole. I hope that this construction lasts but i think it will be no problem. I hope that's the answer to your question, if not just write and i can send pictures or try to explain it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
volpert Report post Posted September 1, 2012 Nice ! I have want to make some sandals for some time now...I can never find a pair I like and feel good.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
floyd Report post Posted September 5, 2012 I am new to leatherworking, so some terms and procedures I am still becoming familiar with. When you say "pull up the toe area of the sole, and press the foot bed on", I am confused. Wouldn't the sole and footbed just flatten out once it's released? Is the bed cut smaller than the sole to maintain the "pulled-upness"? If so, what keeps the stiffer sole from pulling the stitches out of the bed when worn? What keeps the leather sole from becoming slick and slippery when worn for a while? Forgive me for asking what probably is a stupid bunch of questions, there's just so much that I don't know. Beautiful job! I know you didn't ask for critique but one word of advice may help for your next pair... When gluing the sole on to your footbed, (before stitching) pull up the toe area of the sole about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, and press the foot bed on . This allows the toe area of the sandal to have the natural "Roll" needed for walking. it won't look like much but it will help a bunch. When glued flat there is a greater chance of tripping because the toe does not have the roll needed to keep your stride. It is a mistake I made on my first pair and an experienced boot/shoe maker pointed this out to me. Others I made after that were easier to walk in. They are very nice and you should be proud! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickybobby Report post Posted September 5, 2012 I am new to leatherworking, so some terms and procedures I am still becoming familiar with. When you say "pull up the toe area of the sole, and press the foot bed on", I am confused. Wouldn't the sole and footbed just flatten out once it's released? Is the bed cut smaller than the sole to maintain the "pulled-upness"? If so, what keeps the stiffer sole from pulling the stitches out of the bed when worn? What keeps the leather sole from becoming slick and slippery when worn for a while? Forgive me for asking what probably is a stupid bunch of questions, there's just so much that I don't know. Hi Floyd, You stated "When you say "pull up the toe area of the sole, and press the foot bed on", When adhering two pieces of thick materials on a flat surface if you bend them the inner material "bunches up". Example, a cell phone case with a flap, if you line the flap in a flat position and stitch it then try to fold it, the inner will bunch up. Those same materials when glued and and stitched in the folded position the liner will not bunch up. The same thing holds true with the sandals. The bend will stay and provide a more natural "rock" for walking. Is the bed cut smaller than the sole to maintain the "pulled-upness"? If so, what keeps the stiffer sole from pulling the stitches out of the bed when worn? The sole is larger then the footbed, trimmed after glued/stitched. A good way to trim is, after attaching trim the sole with a knife then sand on a belt of orbital sander. What keeps the leather sole from becoming slick and slippery when worn for a while? I don't know. Sole leather is pretty tough. On the sandals I have made I used soling crepe, no need to stitch, just glue well. You can stitch the toe, 6 or 7 stitches. Cut a slit in the soling to "bury" the stitch 1/2 thickness of the crepe. use super glue to close the cut. Space the stitches 1/4 inch apart. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oakley Report post Posted September 5, 2012 My Flip Flops have a rubber sole beyond the sole leather, too. If you watch the left one on the picture you can see it a little bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
