I CAN make shoes....

..... sandals actually :)

Here's the first pair I've made using the instructions from Amanda's e-book "Sandal making for beginners" . Finding the supplies was easy and I didn't even have to go to the city,  managing to buy everything in Heidelberg, except buckles which I decided not to use.

The rubber for the soles and the leather-board for the insoles is quite difficult to cut but if you let it bend over a bit it's not so bad. The man at the shoe repair shop suggested using a craft knife but the scissors were easier and more accurate. I also added an extra little heel cut out of the sole rubber so that they are not completely flat. Instead of leather for the straps I used cotton fabric and sewed 2 pieces together for each strap to give them extra body and strength. Since there was nobody to help mark the position of the straps, the masking tape came in very handy as did clothes pegs to help squeeze them together when the soles were finally glued on.

This pair took me a couple of days to make because they were made inbetween dyeing yarn, working on magazine projects, lots of  after the holidays catch ups on the phone..... but in reality they should only take and hour or two.

I'm really pleased with this first pair, they're very comfortable and easy to walk in and I'll definately be making more.

Hurry up with the "Ballet Pumps for Beginners" Amanda, I can't wait to make some of those too!

Make your own sandals

This last week has just flown past! Nicole, my friend, has been over from London and I have been teaching her to spin yarn, make felt and dye yarn - so we've been having FUN

She arrived wearing an amazing pair of sandals - that she made herself!

They are the first pair she ever made and are constructed from recycled fabric from an old pair of denims, an old T-shirt and dress.

The instructions for the sandals can be found in an e-book called "Sandal making for Beginners" by Amanda Luisa which is available from I CAN make shoes and there is a new e-book due for release in early 2012 called "Ballet Pumps for Beginners" - I'm waiting for that one!

Amanda also presents workshops so check on her website for what, where and when.

Here are some more sandals that Nicole has made using recycled old clothes.

So People - lets all make our own sandals and shoes!



Workshops

A friend of mine, who is an amazing fibre artist will be holding a shoe making workshop at her studio in February. These are not just ordinary shoes - they are really special. She will be presenting the same workshop at my studio in March. We haven't set the exact date yet but as soon as I can, I'll post it here.

SEW YOUR OWN SHOES

• Boots, shoes, sandals; design them to fit your own foot and wardrobe.
• Make them from fabric, string, glue and thread.
• Clothe your feet with imagination, flair and attititude.
• Join me, Kathryn Harmer (professional fibre artist) in a 3 day workshop.
Date: 1st week February: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Where: At my studio in Kwelera Mouth (Just outside of East London)

Cost: R250 per day + R150 for shoe kit (Includes rubber soling, contact glue, canvas, masking tape, a sheet of card, string, and bits and bobs of fabric)

You need: Your sewing machine and sewing tools, different coloured sewing threads and a whole lot of oomph.

Contacts: 082-350-7024 or 043-737-4814 or kathryn.kathy@telkomsa.net