How to Make Japanese Zori Sandals

Zori sandals were made by the Japanese peasantry because they could be made from old cloth or straw quickly and at little cost. It's similar to quilting and the construction remains a popular craft with the Japanese people.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 yards of fabric or straw
• 1 yard of contrasting fabric
• Wrench
• Scissors

1. Cut 1-inch wide strips out of the fabric with a contrasting pattern into two strips that are one yard in length. Place them side by side. Tie the ends of the strips in a knot.

2. Place the wrench on your working surface with the fork end away from you. Put the fabric strips at the end of the wrench with the loop, closest to you. Put the strip's ends in the wrench's fork and cross them over each other and back to the other end of the wrench. Tie the ends together in a loose knot. If you need the sandal to be larger, make the strips longer.

3. Make a strip four yards long from the fabric that is solid in color. Tie it to the loop you made with the other strip. Make sure you leave about four inches on the end to use later.

4. Weave the solid strip first over and then under the four strips that the loops have made. Make sure that you don't weave any of the knot ends into it. Push the strips down after every couple of weaves to tighten it.

5. Attach the zori's strap when you have weaved about two-thirds of the zori. Use two strips of the same patterned fabric that you used for the sole. Cut them into strips of one yard length and twist them around each other. Hold one end down with something heavy so they won't unravel while you work.

6. Pull the 4-inch end you left earlier down to the bottom and weave it in about 2 inches and poke it out of the top. Tie the twisted strip around the loose end. Poke the loose ends of the strap in and out of the loops of the sole until you are left with two ties near the end of where the foot will go. Finish the straps by tying the ends with the strips at the other end of the sole. Tighten the weave.

7. Continue weaving the fabric into the zori until you end up with two loops left at the tip. Keep weaving until there is nothing left and then wrap the fabric strip into a curve and tie it. Tie the loose ends and knots on the other end of the sandal securely and then trim any excess.