C
D
G
E
F
H
folding line
Fig. C: Skive the very edge. Fig. D: Then go wider.
Fig. E: For paper-thin skives, cut from inside to outside.
Fig. F: Repeat several times to achieve an even taper.
Fig. G: The pieces that require punching.
Fig. H: The folding diagram for the ankle piece.
4d. Punch out the holes on the toe piece marked by Go through twice, just to add a little volume, if you
the blue dots (Figure I). choose. Or you can sew on a small button or other
customized design. Have fun with it! If you choose
the cross, make a tight knot twice and cut the thread,
leaving about ¼" on both ends (Figure O1, page 60).
5. Fold the leather.
5a. Trace the erased inner line again on the back
and the front of the ankle piece (Figure J).
5b. Using the knife, make tiny slits, more or less
evenly spaced around the top edge, but closer
together around the corners (Figure K).
6b. Using the lighter, burn the ends of the thread.
The wax and the nylon thread will start to melt.
Quickly blow out the flame and hammer down the
end to squish it and make one glob (Figure O2). You’ll
do the same thing for the final stitching as well.
5c. Lightly apply the soft glue, wait until it dries,
then start folding the flaps along the inner line
using an awl. The soft glue is forgiving, so you
can easily detach and try again (Figure L).
7. Attach the velcro.
7a. For each shoe, cut 2 lengths of velcro tape
12" long, with the hook sides and loop sides still
fastened together. Peel off the adhesive backing (or
5d. Hammer down the edge to make it flat (Figure M). apply soft glue if the velcro doesn’t have adhesive)
on the loop (soft) sides and attach them to the 2
5e. For the sponge, apply the hard glue on all the flaps on upper 1 (Figure P).
edges. Wait until it’s dry, then poke down the middle
with the awl and squeeze both ends together to 7b. Shape the tape with scissors, then pull off the
make a tapered edge (Figure N). hook (hard) sides and attach them to upper 2,
where it’s marked (Figure Q).
6. Add an accent.
6a. Using the same waxed thread as you will for the
final stitching, stitch a cross at each flap on upper 1.
7c. On the reverse side of the leather, lightly mark
where you’ll stitch the velcro with a semi-sharp tool
