_A

B

C

D

Fig. A: Use a square to draw lines perpendicular to the length of the wood. Fig. B: Align the heel of the profile template with the back edge of the wood. Fig. C: Cut just to the outside of the line.

E

F

Fig. D: Spread glue on the entire side profile. Fig. E: Clamp the stack of glued-together dowels and let them dry overnight. Fig. F: Trace your right foot onto a piece of cardstock.

CAUTION: Wear work gloves, a dust mask,
and eye protection when using power tools!
2. Glue the dowels.

2a. Spread a thin, even layer of glue on the entire side profile of a dowel using a glue roller or foam paintbrush (Figure D). Wipe off any excess glue. Set the dowel down with the gluey side up.

1. Cut the dowels.

1a. Make a mark every 12" along the length of each
dowel by using a square to draw lines perpendicular
to the length of the wood (Figure A). Using the saw, 2b. Apply glue in the same manner to the opposite
cut the dowels along the lines, so you’ll end up with at profile of another dowel. Stack the gluey side of this
least ten 12"-long dowels. Each shoe uses 5 dowels. dowel onto the gluey side of the first dowel. Repeat
these steps until you’ve glued a stack of 5 dowels.

NOTE: If you’re using a band saw, you can start with two 1"× 5"× 12" pieces, rather than the dowels. Cut the profile once for each shoe, and skip the gluing steps.

1b. Print out the profile template from craftzine. com/07/mohop on cardstock. Cut out the template that matches your regular shoe size. Then align the heel of the profile template with the back edge of the wood (Figure B). Trace the profile on all 10 dowels.

2c. Clamp the stack of dowels together as tightly as you can, placing 1 clamp near the heel, 1 near the toe, and 1 at the mid-foot (Figure E). This may be tricky, as the glue makes the wood pieces slide around. Make sure all the dowels are aligned using the square. I just clamp the stack right to my tabletop.

1c. Using the saw, cut each of the dowels along the pattern line, taking care to cut as accurately as possible. It’s better to cut just to the outside of the line (Figure C).

 

1d. Sand the cut edges lightly. You’re just trying to remove splinters now, without reshaping the wood.

2d. Repeat Steps 2a–2c, gluing and clamping the second set of 5 dowels. Let them dry overnight.

3. Design your footbed. 3a. Trace your right foot onto a piece of cardstock (Figure F).

3b. Using your foot shape as a guide, draw a plan