How to Make Hand Woven Flip Flops

The thong has been made from materials ranging from papyrus leaves to wood

What is a summer wardrobe without flip flops? These simple shoes are perfect daily wear for the beach, airline travel, or to slip on and venture out into your own yard. Variations of the style have been around for at least 6000 years, but the term "flip flop" was coined in the 1960's. The apparel was at least 2000 years old when the popular thong style was depicted in the murals of Egypt. With some basic supplies and an hour or two of creativity, you too can walk like an Egyptian.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• 20 paper clips
• Leather
• Cutting tool
• Measuring tape
• Shoe glue

Instructions

1. Trace your feet onto the paper to use as a size template. Add a 1/2-inch border around the outside.

2. Cut the leather into 10 1/2-inch wide strips about 15 inches long. Start construction the left shoe. Place 6 strips at a right angle from left-to-right, basically from the toe location towards the instep, arranging the strips side by side over top the paper template. Secure the toe side of the strip ends to the paper template with paperclips.

3. Begin the weaving process with one strip placed perpendicularly over top of the other strips. Weave the strip over the first of the 5 strips, under the second, over the third, and so on until all five left-to-right leather strips are joined. Repeat this process with the next strip, but alternate the pattern. Weave under the first, over the second, and so on, until the strips are woven into a patch roughly covering the area where the toes and ball of the foot would be.

4. Starting on the left side of the shoe, fold the outer leather strip at a right angle back over the loose strips, so the fold becomes the outer left edge of the shoe. Repeat the weaving process left-to-right until all 4 loose strips are joined together. Repeat this process on the right side of the shoe, folding the outer strip at right angles from right-to-left until those 6 strips are woven in too. Continue this process until the paper template is completely covered. Trim the strip ends away.

5. Repeat this process in reverse for the right shoe sole.

6. Remove the paperclips and paper template.

7. Stand on the soles and place a mark between the big toe and the second toe and on either side of the foot where the straps should join the shoe. Measure the desired length of the straps, adding about an inch to ether end. Cut the strap leather in the style you want -- one strip that splits over top of the foot and joins the sole on either side, or perhaps split the strap into 6 thin strips and braid each side.

8. Attach the toe end of the strap by pushing the end through the soles, utilizing the space between the strips. Repeat this for the strap ends on either side of the foot arch. Adjust the tightness so they fit your foot comfortably but hold the shoe securely to your foot. Flip the shoe over and glue the ends in place.

9. Cut solid leather soles for the bottom of your flip flops. Glue those soles to the bottom of each sole. Allow glue to thoroughly dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Leather can be replaced with materials ranging from braided sweet grass to nylon cord

• Try using the same method to weave tops for your flip flops, too.

• Instead of weaving the sole, you can use soles from another pair of flip flops and weave the top or sides to make the shoe your own unique design.

• Be very careful while cutting the leather, since any tool strong enough to cut leather can inflict serious wounds to skin.

References

• Flip-Flop Refashion: Part 1