Hello! I’ve finally finished these black leather clogs; that have been on the go for nearly a whole year now…. eeeeek!!
these soles are the ones on the left; the ones on the right went on to become my teal suede wedges
The last time I went down to visit Mum and Dad: Dad had some pinewood he’d cut himself from a “weed” pine on their block… and he very kindly helped me to shape the blocks on his bandsaw, and have the use of his sander to do some further shaping while I was down there… I’m so lucky that Dad has all the perfect equipment for this!
me making the soles in Dad’s amazing, treasure-chest of a shed; and yes, I made my entire outfit… those red shoes that don’t “go” at all were some of my very earliest oxford shoe-making efforts. They held together ok for a few weeks, then I made the mistake of walking through very wet grass in them one day, they got completely sodden and, sadly, never recovered from that dreadful, fatal experience 🙁 The silver lining is that that little disaster galvanised me into doing more research and getting more serious about making sturdy, tough shoes that could take the hard knocks.
Once I got home, I sanded down the soles even further, stuck some cork to the bottom and the heels, and applied five coats of satin varnish. Ohhh, wait, getting ahead of myself… before that, I’d fancied the idea of a nice deep, chocolate brown wood, I thought it would play off nicely against my chosen black leather. So I bought some walnut stain and gave them a coat. They looked um, not good, but I persisted (“maybe they just need MORE of it” famous last words) and did a few more coats. Then they looked DREADFUL. A day or so of deep depression later, and I’d regained the energy to set up the sander again and sand it all off. THEN I did the soling/ varnishing thing to my clean, new soles. *sigh* Lesson learned; wood looks better in its natural colour.
Now for the design of the uppers! I absolutely LOVE my other clogs, and basically wanted something very similar, just in the very useful colour, black. So, they’re pretty much identical except that these are engineered to the hilt and will certainly last a lifetime. They are like bullet-proof tanks, the Sherman Tanks of shoes, if you like! My other clogs have been pretty sturdy too, but I did have to repair/reinforce bits of them during my Year of Handmade which taught me more lessons about what counts when it comes to shoes. Firstly, that all the strain on a pair of shoes like this is right on the inner nail closest to your ankle. I lost two nails from that area on my previous clogs that had worked loose without my noticing, and also the fabric even started to rip a tiny bit in that spot (horrified gasp… NOOOOOOOO!) so I reinforced the area on both shoes by glueing on a piece of thick canvas underneath the overfoot strap, and then hammering it back down firmly in place with the nail in question dipped briefly in glue first.
But; anyway, back to these shoes! The uppers are made of thick, strong, upholstery leather. This was a small piece given to me by my kind neighbour, Megan. The front bit is lined with chocolate brown synthetic suede, from the Fabric Store, the same stuff I’ve used to line most of my shoes, including my winter boots. It’s great stuff! The skinnier, over-foot strap, that really takes the brunt of strain, I’ve lined with black, real suede, cut from the precious small piece that I bought from Bilby Yarns, also used to make these oxford shoes… this suede was tanned in the Fremantle Tannery before it closed down, forever (sob!) The strap that goes around the back of my ankles is simply wide black elastic. I found with my other clogs that I rarely can be bothered to undo the snaps to put them on, I tend to just slip the clogs over my feet. So, I dispensed with all closure and just went the elastic route. I glued another, further piece of the real black suede under the vulnerable overstrap area, covering and enclosing the edge of the elastic. Then I punched holes all round each piece, using my Danish hole punches that I bought in Skindhuset, Copenhagen, for the very first time!
and double sewed all round by hand, using chocolate brown upholstery thread.
The final step was to drill holes and nail the uppers down to the soles.
give a girl a power drill… *
*riff on an equality slogan from the 80’s… “give a girl a spanner”
And they’re done!
I’m so completely over-the-moon happy with these! I know they’ll be very sturdy and tough enough for anything.
Also, did you notice my “tattoo” in the first pic? that was my lame little April Fool’s Day thing today…. but it’s funny, I did it just for fun but you know what?!? I actually quite like it! I think if I was to even consider getting a tattoo, which I probably wouldn’t, I’m not really the sort, but thinking in a fantasy sort of a way here; THIS would be my choice. It’s my cure-all advice to myself for any time I’m feeling a bit down, and written in my own handwriting obviously. It’s really very very me!
Zoe approves…
Wow !!!! I really like these ! Lovely homemade shoes that scream RTW ! Well done !
I love them Carolyn. Also very interesting to follow all the things you’ve learned. There’s so much more to a pair of shoes than most people consider!
So totally fabulous! Very profesh and clearly so much thought has gone into them.
These shoes are amazing! I love them!
These are fantastic. I’m so pleased there was enough leather to make them. I enjoyed reading about the trials and errors in the process too and seeing the action pic in your Dad’s shed!
I love these shoes!! They are fantastic. You are fortunate to have a father with the workshop tools! My husband is very crafty with wood, so I know I have that in my corner. I just have to get up the courage to start giving this a shot. I really, really want to. My feet are wide (I stayed barefoot while pregnant with my twins from day one–I think that’s when the wideness got crazy on me), so it would help me to be able to make my own sandals. These strappy sandals in the stores are just eye candy for me and no way can I squeeze my foot into them. I HAVE to make my sandals one day. I love all your shoe making posts because they are a library of information for me.
Those clogs are gorgeous! I would so wear those. I’m in awe with your talents. And I love the photo of you in your Dad’s workspace, well done.
Reading about your process I was struck with how much my husband would love to do this! He’s retired and for years carved rather sizable masks (all of which we have hanging on our walls which amazes people when they find out he did them!) but he’s had to put carving aside due a tremour in his hands and an allergy that comes out in his hands as a nasty, itchy rash. He’s a maker though like you and has been rather lost…I wonder if shoes might not suit him better? I’d love it if he took up that hobby! Love your shoes Caroline – they look so solid and comfortable – built to last!
Fabulous shoes! Thank you for all the great information; and the giggle over your “tat”. Happy April Fools Day.
What amazing shoes!
those clogs are fantastic and so interesting to hear all the details to consider in making a pair of shoes that last. Shoemaking – my lifelong dream 🙂
You have ‘nailed’ those clogs – they are fabulous. Wear them with pride but not in a puddle! Jo xx
Those really do look “store bought” Great job.
Very beautiful!! Your talent is on another level – they totally look RTW.
Those are the best foot tanks I’ve ever seen! Hahaha. I loved hearing about your process. These lessons you’ve had will stick for life and I can feel and see the knowledge base you’re building up. You need a fully-stocked work shed too with a band saw. Maybe Christmas…? Heh. I got a jigsaw one year and I LOVED it. And you got me with the tattoo. Hahaha. Good one.
I love them!! These are my type of shoes–if I saw them in a store I would have a hard time leaving without them. So impressive that you made them yourself!
They’re fabulous. I’m so impressed!
Love the tattoo! And pretty clever clogs 🙂
This is so cool! It’s been awesome to watch your shoe making journey especially as you’ve become more proficient. Can only imagine where you’re going with this in the future!
They don’t look comfortable at all – after wearing Clarks for years – just can’t imagine wearing hard wood & not enough arch support. You must all be young women.
where does this idea come from that my shoes don’t have enough arch support? I carved them myself to custom fit my own feet and specifically to have plenty of arch support, also they are perfectly comfortable, thanks
Love the shoes. They are great x
So impressive! Versatile and beautiful–and its been so energizing to see your progress with making shoes. Thank you for sharing all your insight!
Brilliant clogs and Zoe loves that nice sturdy heel.
These clogs look stylish and comfortable. It is so interesting reading your amusing post about the making process.
So cool! And clogs are so comfy to walk in! 🙂
Wow, these look amazing! Unbelievable that they are handmade!
Your clogs are gorgeous. It is just so amazing to me that you make your own shoes. Love them!
This is completely amazing and inspiring! My best fir tree became a windblown fatality last month, and the only silver lining is that it didn’t hit the neighbor’s garage and that maybe I can make something from it so it will last forever. Not sure if it will be shoes, but you never know!!
Fabulous clogs Carolyn. The elastic back was a stroke of brilliance. I never undo the straps either.
Thanks for sharing Carolyn – now I just need some timber! Love the use of tools for crafting.
These look like high-end rtw clogs! What a proud moment for you! And how fun for us to see what you’ve been up to in furthering your shoe-making. Have to admit… my favorite photo was the one in your Dad’s shop. How special to work on your shoes with your Dad…… making memories for the both of you. 🙂
Now you’re cooking with gas! Say hello to Marni. You could peek at Chloe’s and Isabel Marant’s platform sandals, too.
https://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/809045/marni/fringed-smooth-and-patent-leather-slingback-sandals
Your sandals and these are cousins, except that yours are made to measure, by hand. Brava, Ms Intrepid!
And the kitty approval shot. How did you train the cat to come cuddle your shoes like that? Advertising agencies would be jealous.
thanks so much Sankati! haha, my kitty does that sort of thing pretty frequently, no need to tempt her! She’s a very rubby little thing 🙂
These look amazing ane super sturdy! Thank you for the detailed post and all those making of pictures, I enjoyed all of it a lot! 🙂
This is a nice idea for a tattoo and I bet if you’re not gonna get it tattooed someone else will 🙂
Love your clogs and I’m really impressed that you made the soles as well. I liked reading about the process – it’s an encouragement. My Pinterest is full of shoe patterns so I reckon it will happen sometime.
Another sensational pair of shoes – these appear to be perfection. I enjoyed the action shots of you with the saw…
I like the new clogs, and think they look very comfy. I had a pair of RTW shoes (high heels, long ago) and they were actually very comfortable. I can’t see custom shoes being anything but even more comfortable. About staining wood – don’t write it off totally. IIRC there’s something about the sap in pine that makes it a pain to change the color too much, and the newer the cut surface the worse it is.
just to clarify my comment – those RTW high heels had formed plywood soles. I was sad when they got to tatty to wear.
Now that you have a collection of shoes forming, I could see making some different colored wood soles. I’ll bet your dad could figure out great ideas.
Paint. Because you could apply any color, any pattern.
Penetrating black lacquer. Japanese-ey.
Semi-opaque wood stain, in a color like white, dark gray, green, blue, or color matching the leather uppers. Because stain might resist scuffing better than paint, but downplay the wood grain contrast.
Bleaching/pickling the wood, the traditional Scandinavian wood floor treatment. (Wood bleach/lye, then white wood soap. Could use other products to mimic the effect, but this is durable.) This takes the natural golden browns down to a gorgeous muted pale. Then, wax or varnish.
http://dinesen.com/ seems to have some photos, but you’ll remember from your Copenhagen trip!
thanks Sankati! these are all fantastic ideas. I really do want to use different colours for the wooden base, I think my wood, because it was essentially a weed, was too “new”, as in, too recently milled after falling. I believe wood needs to cure for ages before applying stain. I love the idea of bleaching, think I’ll try that next! Thanks so much for all your terrific suggestions! xx
these. are utterly fantastic!
These are so gorgeous Caroline!! I love reading about all the work involved in making them. So impressive!
These are fantastic, they look so good!
I just watched your shoe video and I am totally inspired now. I have delightfully bunion-y feet, so it’s like a dreamy fantasy to make attractive shoes especially for my ‘unique’ feet. Also, I’m from W.A., too, so can readily source materials! Thank you so much for sharing. Now I am off to make something.