hackaday Report post Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) So I thought I would take a step back and try something a little simpler. There may not be much to them, but flip flops are a lot harder than I would have imagined... mostly getting the straps just right. Never did find a good temporary way to attach the straps for fitting, tape leaves nasty sticky stuff all over. I got off to a rough start (had to recut the first set of straps 3 times ) but overall I'm fairly happy with how they turned out. I was worried that the thong part was too far back, but I think when they get broke in it will be about right. If I did it over I would move it forward a tad and angle it back. Needs a little more work on the edges and eventually I want to stitch around the edges once I figure out a way to make a groove in the crepe. As is they have 2 lite coats of olive oil and 4-5 hours in the sun. I may sit them out a little longer. You'll have to excuse the ghostly feet. Edited July 21, 2014 by hackaday Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benlilly1 Report post Posted July 22, 2014 They look really good and sounds like you know what you're changing for the next pair! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Those are awesome! Now I really want to try and make some flip flops! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted July 22, 2014 could you point to a tutorial. I'd like to try it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackaday Report post Posted July 22, 2014 They look really good and sounds like you know what you're changing for the next pair! Those are awesome! Now I really want to try and make some flip flops! Thank you for the kind words! It definitely takes a few tries to get everything coming out just right. You'd think sandals would be a piece of cake with as simple as they are, but there's a lot of little details that go into getting them to fit and look just right. could you point to a tutorial. I'd like to try it out. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures during the construction process. I can try to put something together with my templates and the pieces of the next pair of "Jordan" sandals I've started. The basic design of flip flops is pretty straight forward, but I will try to highlight some of my design decisions. As far as sandals in general, I've pretty much just looked at about every example I could find on the internet to come up with strap ideas. I think I have about 4 more styles in mind already. Jordan's threads here and here are about the best resource I've found for a full on tutorial, and I thank him for taking the time to put his efforts together for others to learn from. Most information on sandal making out there is either for "barefoot" hurache types or very crudely made. I did puchase the Tandy ebook, but personally I didn't find it very helpful as I was looking for more along the lines of details on sole shape design and how to determine strap placement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiwen Report post Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) That's what I was looking for!!! I needed strap placement! I can trace around a foot, but since I dont' wear sandals really I don't know what the "sweet spot" for the strap placement is. If you find out, please let me know. Edited July 25, 2014 by okiwen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post Posted July 25, 2014 That's what I was looking for!!! I needed strap placement! I can trace around a foot, but since I dont' wear sandals really I don't know what the "sweet spot" for the strap placement is. If you find out, please let me know. How can you not wear sandals? They are like the next best thing to going barefoot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiwen Report post Posted July 25, 2014 Not condusive to the job. Wnated to make some for daughter and wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post Posted July 25, 2014 Not condusive to the job. Wnated to make some for daughter and wife. I was praying you weren't going to say you were missing your feet or something like that. Would of really put my foot in my mouth on that one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted April 22, 2015 I know, old thread but, what thickness for the upper part and what did you use for the bottoms? I thought of buying vibram or solotech soles or something like these only in a sheet that I can custom cut.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackaday Report post Posted April 22, 2015 I don't know the exact thickness of the straps. I ordered a double shoulder in 8/9oz and split it down to what looked about right, maybe a little over an 1/8". I have a piece of 5/6oz left over from another project that seems just a little light, so 6/7 would probably be about right. For the sole I used 1/4" Soletech diamond crepe. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SoleTech-Diamond-50-55-Durometer-Crepe-Soling-Sheet-1-4-12-iron-6mm-/221258577334?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item338409f5b6 I found them to be rather hard and uncomfortable, although I guess it should actually be softer than a leather sole. I have ordred a couple sheets of 1/8" 30/35 durometer puff eva from here to try as a middle layer along with some of the mini check sheet for outsole to try. The 30/35 durometer is actually a lot softer than I was expecting, and I have some concerns about how it's going to hold up to compression. Perhaps it will actually work out well and conform to the foot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiwen Report post Posted April 23, 2015 Old, maybe. I'm glad you contributed. I'd have like to see more in the thread. I am glad you opened it back up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted April 23, 2015 (edited) hackaday - thanks for the quick reply. My thoughts along with looking at sandals/flip flops on etsy would be using the crepe you linked to with some B grade horween for the top of the sandal ( not up with terminology yet), the straps could be just about anything that will hold up. Is there a chance we are over thinking this? BTW - your FF's turned out great imo. why stitch thru the crepe? would the stitching add strength or decoration? I would stitch thru the leather with a contrasting color or design, then cover it with the crepe. The reason I researched making these is bc my wife/daughter saw some on etsy and wanted me to make them, they also had their own designs... The 30/35 durometer is handled by the same seller on ebay. I started following him and went to his store. He has many items that may be useful. Tony Edited April 23, 2015 by retiredff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted April 23, 2015 I found by searching on ebay finds some rubber sheets, search: shoe repair sheets Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted April 24, 2015 This rubber flooring made from recycled tires looks promising: http://www.rubbercal.com/rubber-flooring/gym-rubber-flooring/elephant-bark-rubberized-flooring.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackaday Report post Posted June 12, 2015 Finished up another pair. The original strap design/width didn't really feel very secure with how big the sandals are. They were pretty hard and uncomfortable too with the 50-55 durometer crepe sole. The new ones have a layer of 30-35 durometer foam midsole (2 layers under the back to give a little bit of rise to the arch) with an 80 or 90 durometer outsole. The soft foam was much softer than I thought it would be and I was concerned it would compress too much, but hopefully it will just conform to the foot nicely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted June 12, 2015 They look really good, the stitching especially. Keep us posted on how you like them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted June 12, 2015 Nice job! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackaday Report post Posted June 30, 2015 Thank you guys for the kind words! I appreciate it. I was pretty happy with how they turned out for being my first real stitching job. Next time I think I will not stitch through the suede. It's not bad, but the thread does rub a little. Maybe I just need to toughen up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
