So, I’ve been seeing these woven leather shoes all over my Instagram feed lately, and I finally caved. I mean, they look so chic and comfy, right? I decided to take the plunge and try making a pair myself. How hard could it be?
First off, I started by hitting up a bunch of online stores. I browsed through Amazon, checked out some independent sellers on Etsy, and even looked at some specialized shoe stores. I wanted to get a feel for the different styles and what was out there. Man, there are a ton of options! From sandals to loafers, you name it. I saw brands like Nike, Ariat, and a whole bunch of others I’d never even heard of. Prices were all over the place, some as low as 10 bucks, others going for way more.
After looking at what felt like a million pairs of shoes, I finally figured out the style I wanted to try and make. I sketched it out, and gathered all the materials. Leather, obviously, some tools for cutting and shaping, and a good, sturdy sole. I got some supplies from local sellers and some from a few of the bigger online stores. Gotta support local businesses when you can, you know?
Then came the hard part: actually making the shoes.
- I started by cutting the leather into strips. This took forever, and my hands were killing me by the end.
- Next, I had to weave the strips together. This was even more tedious than cutting. I followed some tutorials I found online, but it was still super tricky.
- Once the upper part of the shoe was woven, I had to attach it to the sole. I used a combination of glue and stitching to make sure it was secure.
It took me a few days of solid work, but I finally finished my first pair of woven leather shoes! They’re not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of them. They’re surprisingly comfortable, too. I wore them out to the grocery store, and I even got a compliment from the cashier!
All in all, I think this DIY project was a success. It was definitely a challenge, and my fingers are still sore, but I ended up with a unique pair of shoes that I made myself. Plus, I saved a bunch of money by not buying them from a store. If you’re feeling crafty and you’re looking for a fun project, I’d say give it a shot! Just be prepared to put in some serious elbow grease. You might even find it’s easier to just buy a pair, haha.
