Flip Flops

[hackaday]

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

[benlilly1]

They look really good and sounds like you know what you're changing for the next pair!

[Hi Im Joe]

Those are awesome! Now I really want to try and make some flip flops!

[DavidL]

could you point to a tutorial. I'd like to try it out.

[hackaday]

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.

[okiwen]

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

[Hi Im Joe]

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.

[okiwen]

Not condusive to the job. Wnated to make some for daughter and wife.

[Hi Im Joe]

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.

[retiredff]

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..