I’ve made some new shoes… 🙂
A kind of shoe I reaaaaaaaallly like to wear in spring/summer, heck and autumn too, let’s be honest; is a pair of little white sandshoes/sneakers. I reckon they look really cute worn with… well, just about everything. And they’re white, so they’re positively screaming summer.
*screams* “SUMMAAAAAAAAAH!”
So I set out to make a pair of ersatz “little white sandshoes” And this is the result! Hmmm, maybe, not all that close to the typical things you think of when you think “sandshoes” but a pretty ok substitute I reckon. I really love them, so I’m happy!
The inner soles are covered with some beige checked cotton flannelette. It’s some of the leftovers from some of my old winter pyjamas, hehe Looks pretty cute, huh?
For the laces, I tried out some leather strips, but they were surprisingly and disappointingly meh…, so I looked around about for something else. I wanted something very simple, unobtrusive, pale in colour so as to blend in with the shoe, and visually fitting in with the slightly distressed, shabby chic vibe that I reckon the shoes have. Then I thought of kitchen string. You can hardly get more humble than that! and I kind of love how it looks! It’s actually a purely decorative feature really, since I can slip the shoes on and off without untying the laces.
The shoes themselves are actually made from the exact same fabric as my previous pair of shoes; beige upholstery suedette, a leftover length given to me by my friend A. I cut out my pieces, using my own oxford pattern; and spray-painted them loosely and a little blotchily with Squirts flat white enamel (Bunnings). I just like stuff a little blotchy
Then just made up the shoes, same as per usual. They are lined with pale yellow lightweight suedette (Spotlight) the same as used previously in these and these shoes. When I stretched the uppers over my lasts, the enamel paint crackled and crazed a bit, which produced a rather charming effect, in my opinion. I love it! However, while I’m thrilled with the look of painted suedette, it was quite a bit harder to handle than un-painted suedette, which I used for my previous shoes. It came up quite stiff and “crackly” and it was actually quite a struggle moulding it around the last. Every time I’ve made a pair of shoes has been a different experience, each and every material that you choose has the potential to throw you into new territory, and will potentially be a game-changer…
Because little white sandshoes are always white all over; I found some white rubber (Clarks Rubber) for the soles and I cut and stacked it for the heels, just like I’ve done with all previous pairs of shoes, and using contact adhesive. However, again… I found this white rubber to be very very different from the black rubber I usually use!! like as in, vastly so… It is very tough, less pliable and very firm, for one thing, and the glossy surface was much much MUCH harder to sand down. There’s some serious hard yakka gone into these. I started off with sanding with super rough sandpaper, and finished off the roughing up of the surface with a big ol’ rasp and muchos elbow grease. Accidentally rasping my own hands in the process every now and again, ooochywawa. I don’t think I’m a natural handyman, ahem…. these soles and heels represent some serious application and more than a little muscle and looooads of patience! I decided upon a heel height with just four layers of rubber, and then to get a bit of extra padding I put a fifth layer inside the shoe. I skived the straight edge of this layer to taper down… not that my foot will probably detect this very minor, and very difficult to implement, improvement. So, goodness knows why I bothered. I cut myself doing this bit too! See that bandaid? yeah
showing the extra rubber heel bit, and how the shoes are nailed to the heels from inside.
After constructing the heels and sanding them down all nice and smooth, I gave them a coat of the same white enamel paint, which finished them very nicely, and also covered up a few stray smears of the adhesive that were difficult to get off with turps. There’s a good chance those heels will get pretty marked and dirty in no time, so I’m just going to keep that white spray paint handy for touchups. Gonna keep everything looking pristinely white and clean all summer!
Now I’m just wishing it was spring, so I can wear them… I’m so sick of winter! and I’m soooooo ready for some divinely warm weather!
Fabulous! I’ve been meaning to suggest you have a play with washable paper – it has a lovely crinkled effect and is very easy to sew. Obviously not super hard wearing but would be fun to make some little evening shoes in the gold!
thanks Sarah! that would be fun, I’ll try to look out for some. But why don’t you have a go at it? I’d love to see your results! 🙂
They’re snow white! Lovely and — I agree — so summery. And because of that I think it’s a good idea to bring to cheer up the winter with them. As always, I’m very impressed with your shoemaking. I hope you get a lot of wear out of these!
thank you, kalimak! I’m sure i will! 🙂
How handy to be able to touch up the shoes with the white spray paint. These look so professional, Carolyn!
Speaking from over here in Toronto Canada, where we’re currently experiencing a ridiculous heat wave – feel free to take some of our extra heat as we don’t really want it anymore…
Also, love the shoes!
haha! I would love to! the irony is that in a few months time we are going to be besieged with hot weather ourselves, and then we’ll all be complaining about the other extreme!
thank you for the compliment to my shoes 🙂
Wow, those are in-credible!! They look SO professional.
Every time I read one of your posts I’m 100% impressed. Great job! And how wonderful to be able to make your own shoes. I especially like the kitchen string as shoelaces.
These look so great!! I still find it so impressive that you make your own shoes!
They are brave because the glue could show easily but they look pretty neat. Happy wearing. Jo x
I am continually impressed! I love your style, your philosophy, your drive! I am curious about your shoes not having much in the way of arch-support… Any pain in your feet or knees now that you have been wearing exclusively you-made for a while?
thanks! In answer to your question; no… thanks for the concern, I have had zero problems in that respect. Even if I did, did you know you can get supportive inner soles (orthotics) to slip inside shoes to provide arch support? This goes for any rtw shoe, not just handmade ones.
Brilliant solution! Now I have no excuses left!
Another great pair of shoes. I love the gingham insoles!
I am amazed that you make your own shoes. This pair definitely looks like a comfy pair of summer shoes. Love the gingham insoles too.
Your shoe-making journey is so fascinating! I love these – they’ll definitely go well with just about anything.
You are definitely very handy making your own shoes, love this cheeky white pair and so good that you have the paint on hand to touch up.
more and more beautifull !!!
Great job Carolyn, this shoes do look very professional! I really like how that leather looks and I hope you can wear them very soon! 🙂
Just lovely! How cool would black and white stacked heels be? Hmm.
Amazing idea. I have never thought that someone would make their own shoes and that’s really cool. Usually I order Shoes Online using Adidas Coupons.
I can so see you wearing, no living! in these this summer! They are so ‘you’! Your shoe-making journey is so interesting and your tenacity is inspiring. 🙂
Lovely pair of shoes. I think these are my favourite. I am so enjoying your shoe making journey. I will follow one day.
Love the fashion !!competitor of woodland ..
I’ve been very inspired to make my own shoes since I’ve been reading about your shoe-making process! It’s exciting. How did you choose your last size and width? Did you just use your regular shoe size? Thank you.
Brenda; No I would not recommend just going with your regular shoe size; shoe sizes differ between countries quite a lot! I recommend taking very precise measurements of all parts of your foot. I found my vintage wooden lasts on ebay, and compared the measurements of my feet to those of the lasts VERY carefully before choosing a pair.
You can also buy new lasts through Springline,
Good luck!
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