Flip Flops Tutorial

[veedub3]

Great job Monica. I started a pair of sandals nearly three years ago and they are still unfinished sitting on a shelf, so kudos to you for finishing a great looking pair sandals on your first try.

I purchased Vibram rubber soles for mine instead of just using the leather alone for the soles. I cut my leather soles with a band saw then sanded to make sure they were perfect. Everything has been cutout and waiting for me sew all these years. It is starting to get hot so it may be finally time for me to finish them.

Karina

[Reegesc]

@ Monica - ~ Clap ~ Clap ~ Clap ~ Very nice! Good job!

Btw -- Although I said "rawhide" in the tutorial, it was actually "horsehide". I do know the difference, but ever since I was a kid the term rawhide has meant horses. Not because I was taught that, but because of countless hours watching reruns of the old TV Western "Rawhide". Somehow that just became the association. So...I'm living proof that watching too much TV can have consequences. :-) Small font for embarrassment purposes and to not take away from your well deserved praise.

[MonicaJacobson]

@Karina - bandsaw, what a great idea! You should definitely finish yours. I'd love to see what design you chose, and how the vibram sole looks.

@cseeger - LOL, I also enjoyed Rawhide growing up, so I think your excuse is entirely valid.

[Reegesc]

Ditto on the bandsaw idea.

[HippieLee]

Fantastic tutorial, thank you sir! I do have one minor quibble: This is the internet. Kittens are never optional.

[hackaday]

@ Monica - Those look awesome!

I've thought about making some for the wife as a surprise, but as difficult as it is for me to get the fit just right on my own I don't know how I'd ever get them right without being able to fit them.

To those of you who have done this, do you find the leather soles too hard? I've made a couple pairs of sandals. The first I was not happy with at all. The second was a simple pair of flip flops that, while they look good, the strap design I used along with the weight makes them feel insecure while walking (big feet don't help). I used 8/9oz leather as the footbed on top of a 1/4" 50 durometer crepe sole. I thought the crepe would be more comfortable, but I still find them too hard when walking on tile/concrete. My thoughts now are to use a thinner hard outsole and some softer 30/35 durometer midsole. I hate to keep buying material without knowing exactly how hard it is though as it gets expensive when it doesn't work out.(

My other thought is to incorporate a bit of arch support.

Edited April 9, 2015 by hackaday

[The Don]

My first attempt

[The Don]

Second pair

I added suede lined straps. The first pair caused blisters

[Stewartjlh]

This looks great - can'take wait to try! Thanks for putting the energy into making and sharing. You've earned some major karma points. Lol.

[Reegesc]

@ The Don -- Man those look great. On the first pair, how did you inlay that upper layer? Looks sharp. And on the second pair, how did you secure the toe stem? It really likes nice without a visible sew line. Impressive, all the way around.