How to Make Leather Sandals

Leather sandals are comfortable and long lasting. This leather sandal design is based on a Roman type of sandal that laces up the front. These sandals are great for Renaissance fairs, re-enactments or everyday wear. These sandals are much less expensive to make than they are to purchase.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cork tiles
• 2-by-2 foot piece of plywood
• Jigsaw
• Super glue
• 1/2 yard of leather
• Leather straps
• Staple gun

1. Make an outline of each foot on the cork tiles.
2. Cut out the outline of the foot leaving 1 1/2 inches around the edges. Use the cork board cut outs as templates and cut out the plywood according to the corkboard.
3. Spread super glue across the bottom of the corkboard. Glue the cork to the plywood to make the sole of the sandal.
4. Cut two pieces of leather that are 3-by-7 inches long. These are the heels of the shoe. Cut four pieces of leather 2-by-5 inches for the sides of the sandals. Adjust these measurements depending on the length and width of the foot.
5. Scallop the top of the side pieces to make three circular pieces. Do not cut all the way through. Leave about an inch at the bottom of the leather. Cut holes the shape of half moons in each of the rounded edges 1 inch from the bottom. The laces feed through these holes to create the sandal.
6. Place the heel pieces around the back of the soles. Center the pieces on the sole so they are the same length on both sides. Staple the leather to the sole. Cut small holes into each end of the leather pieces for the laces to feed through. Place the scalloped side pieces around the side of the shoe backing them up to the heel. Staple around the sides to hold them into place. Run the laces through the holes as you would a sneaker. Tie the laces tightly around the ankle when worn.