Barefoot Sandals

I don't use shoes at all because I hate them, but I want to have a pair of those "barefoot sandals" on hand for situations that would require shoes. I see lots of ones for girls, but none for dudes. I would like to make a pair out of black leather straps or something that would not be girly looking. Does anyone know how to make these?

If you never saw them before, they are "fake shoes" it's just material like leather or hemp that look like you are wearing flip-flops, but they have no soles. They fool people into thinking you are wearing shoes, when you are actually barefoot...lol

 

why don't you just try something what do you think is not girly?

 

I guess like just black leather or maybe even very dark beads. The problem is, I don't know how to make barefoot sandals. I was wondering if there are any other hippies out there who do, or can point me in the right direction.

 

Hello there!

I just made myself some, and while I'm not a guy, I don't find the ones I made terribly girly.

Starting out, I got two pieces of the length of hemp I needed, folded them in half, and knotted it on the end so that I'd have to loop to put my second toe through. Then I did a basic square knot up to about 3/4 of my foot. Then, to make the lengths that tie around my ankle, I split my four pieces into two groups of two, and knotted those until they were long enough to go around my ankle on either side. At this point you could add some sort of fastener or leave the lengths of hemp loose so you could tie them in the back. I can post pictures if you like!

Hope I helped.

 

Yes Ely, a picture would be nice. That way I can see how they are worn and possibly your description of making them will make more sense.

If I wanted to use beads, does anyone know where you can buy the bare framework for making these? I know a friend who has beads, and dark beads would be less girly, but I don't know how to make the framework.

 

Here's one of the 'sandals'. The loop at the bottom is what you put your second toe in, and the ties come up and tie behind your ankles.

 

Can you take a pic wearing it? I want to see what they look like as footwear, so I can decide if I want to go the hemp route. Thanks, Ely.

 

I have terribly unladylike feet, but here is one on my foot. Haha.

 

Your feet look fine, Ely. I can tell you rarely wear shoes because your toes are all straight...lol Actually the barefoot sandals look kinda cool. Thanks for showing what they look like on your feet. I think I would like a pair made out of black hemp, is it hard to find or make black hemp? Does it loose it's color when it gets wet?

 

Black hemp is super-easy to find, they have all kinds of colors at Michaels and other craft stores. I know that kind doesn't lose it's color, I purposely get my hemp stuff wet as much as possible, it eventually makes it really soft. However, I don't know if you could find black hemp in the same thickness as the hemp I used for the sandals. I'm not sure how well it'd hold dye if you wanted to make it black yourself, but it is certainly worth a try.

Also, I don't remember where you mentioned this but if you want to macrame them yourself, YouTube has tons of videos on how to do the different knots.

Oh, and you can find lots of neat leather cord at the craft store too- that might be a neat option for your sandals.

 

I hate to ask so much of you, Ely but is there any way you can post a larger pic of you wearing the sandals? I want to print it out and show it to my friend Sarah at school. She is into making hemp necklaces for people at school and I think I am going to have her show me how to make them during our lunch break. I will probably go with the black hemp or the leather cord idea sounds cool.

Since I don't even own shoes, I just think it would be cool to have a pair of these because at least in certain situations I could fool the "man" into thinking I have shoes on. Thanks for all your help, Ely. I wish you lived closer, because I would definately have you show me how to make these.

 

For sure, haha. It's no problem. This one should be larger. It might help your friend if you printed out how I described it too, because the pic is kind of grainy. Although there is that large one where I'm not wearing it as well. Good luck!

 

Yeah that one comes up in a frame and doesn't allow me to print it. Can you take one more larger size one of you wearing the sandals on your feet. Maybe take it the same way you did of the first one. If you can post it by tonight, I can print it tomorrow and show it to Sarah. It will be fun to try and make these. Thanks again, Ely for all of your help and advice.

 

Here you go, it's pretty giant. xD Let me know when you've saved it so I can take it down.

And you're very welcome.

 

Thanks, Ely. That works. Oh one more question, where do you get the hemp or leather straps? Some place like Michaels or a craft store? What section would they have stuff like that in? I am really going to try and make these. I will keep you posted.

 

Hemp and leather each have their own sections, fairly close to each other. Hemp would be with the beading supplies (you can get some neat wood beads while you're there!) All the leatherworking things should be pretty close by, if not in the same aisle.

I don't know about your area but I also get huuuge skeins of hemp from an import/hippie-type store that sells it for pretty cheap. I got one a year or two ago for maybe five bucks and I'm still using it.

I'm excited to see how they turn out!

 

Hey Ely, I am hoping you are reading this. I finally got my friend Sarah to look at the pics and try to make these for me out of black hemp. She wants to know if you can take a photo of you wearing them from the back so she can see how they are made in the back and attached. I know I'm asking alot, but your help is appreciated. Can you please post a nice size pic. Thanks, sweets!!

 

I actually made a pair today, I make stuff of hemp all the time, and I also sell it

But to get my work out there I always offer my first piece free.

If you like I could make you a pair, I can make them in any style with any color of hemp. PM me if you would like a pair.

 

Hey Lizmarie, I am hoping you can help me out. I have been trying to reach Ely, but I don't think she's been on Hip Forums for a while. My friend Sarah is trying to make me a pair of these out of black hemp. She stopped because she needs a photo of how they are finished and are tied/connected in the back. Can you please post a photo of the backs of your feet while wearing them so that my friend Sarah can figure it out? Many Thanxxx

 

Sure let me just find my camera