How to Make a Sandal

Making your own footwear might seem like a step beyond the average DIY or seamstress practices, but crafting your own sandals really doesn't require any more effort or skill than sewing a skirt or pair of shorts. You'll need some specialized tools, and working with the leather may be a slightly challenging contrast to working with more delicate fabrics. However, you will quickly get the hang of this simple project, and you'll have a pair of custom-made, hand-crafted sandals to show for your efforts.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1/8-inch thick leather (for soles, big enough for both feet plus 2 inches added length)
• Pencil
• Leather shears
• 1 sq. foot of 1/8 inch thick decorative leather
• 1 yard leather lacing
• Utility knife
• 4-in-1 leather punch
• Leather punch pad
• Mallet
• Waxed sinew
• Leather needle

1. Stand on the leather you've chosen for your sandals' soles and trace around each foot, extending the heel 2 inches past the end of your natural heel.

2. Cut out the soles using the leather shears.

3. Moisten the heels to bend them into shape and allow them to dry this way.

4. Cut two strips of the decorative leather that are each approximately 1 inch wide. Determine the length of these pieces by placing them across the widest part of your foot and wrapping them slightly under your foot on both sides.

5. Mark and cut these strips according to the measurements you've just made.

6. Place the end of one decorative strip on your leather punch pad and position your 4-in-1 leather punching tool across the short end of the strip about ½ inch from the edge. Hit the leather punching tool with the mallet to punch holes into the leather.

7. Punch holes in both ends of both decorative strips using the punch pad, 4-in-1 puncher and mallet.

8. Thread your leather needle with waxed sinew and used it to sew the decorative strips into place. The ends of these strips should be positioned so that they curl slightly under the edges of your feet.

9. Cut two vertical slits into each heel back using your utility knife.

10. Cut the leather lacing into two equal pieces and slide one through each heel.

11. Cut the leather lacing to the desired length after wrapping and tying both sides around your ankles and checking for fit.

Resources

• Other sandal ideas