RACHEL CORRY
LEATHER SANDAL MAKING
In her Leather Sandal Making workshop, Rachel Corry of Rachel Sees Snail Shoes will teach us every aspect of the sandal making process. Though the thought of handcrafting your own sandals may feel a bit intimidating at first, Rachel breaks the process into clear, simple and straightforward steps, empowering us to create footwear worth flaunting. In your workshop, Rachel teaches a simple slide style of sandal with an optional slingback. It’s simple to make any other style of sandal, even one of your own invention, with Rachel’s guidance.
We’ll first go over tools and materials and then get right into checking patterns against our own feet. No matter the sandal design, the making process is the same: patterns, cutting, draping, slots, taping, scratching, glueing, and sanding. Your hard work will pay off, and you will be ecstatic to go out and share your new shoes with the world.
Materials Kits for More Exploration
Additional Leather Sandal Making Materials
Craft several sandals this season - playing around with leather color, design, buckles and more - or invite friends in on this kit and make together.
Once you've you've handcrafted your own sandals, add an additional set of leather sandal making materials to make as a gift.
The Sandalmaking Workshop Book by Rachel Corry
Ready to dive in and discover more? Rachel's book includes 14 step-by-step projects, traceable fold-out patterns, materials lists and her favorite tips and tricks so you can continue designing and making more pairs of beautifully crafted sandals you'll love at home.
The Curated Kit of Tools & Materials
This workshop includes:
- A detailed, digital workshop by Rachel Corry of Rachel Sees Snail Shoes
- A live Maker Chat Q&A for our community to join in creative conversation
- Tools and materials from artisan suppliers, curated for you, by Rachel
The Tools & Materials included in this workshop:
- Leather of your choice (natural, medium brown, or chestnut)*, in two weights
- Pair of Soles
- Pair Heel Bases, in your choice of size**
- Heavy Duty Cutting Tool
- Rotary Hole Punch
- Awl
- Ball Pein Hammer
- Leather Adhesive
- Brass Collar Buttons
- Iron Clinching Nails
- Pencil
- Black Fine Tip Sharpie
- Printer Paper
- Masking Tape
- Scissors
- Smith's All Natural Leather Balm
- Horsehair Shop Brush
- Antique Brass Double Cap Rivets
- Self-Healing Cutting Mat
- Beige Shoe Lace
- Natural Brass Center Bar Buckle
- Patterns
*Please note: The chestnut leather is firmer than the natural and medium brown leathers. If you are brand new to working with leather, Rachel suggests starting with the natural or medium brown leather as it’s a bit easier to use.
**You must choose your own heel base size. Select #8 for sandal sizes 5-8, #10 for sizes 8.5-11 or #12 for sizes 11.5 or larger.
IMPORTANT: You will need to use a tabletop sander or work with a local cobbler in order to finish your sandals. The reason for this is to sand and trim down the edges for a more smooth sandal. Be sure to plan your project timeline with this in mind.
More About Our Artist: Rachel Corry
Rachel is an artist from California who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Ten years ago she stumbled into sandal making by accident. A little apartment fire burned up nearly all her shoes (and luckily, little else). From the scraps that remained, Rachel kept a pair of singed sandals that had come apart and figured out how to make them by examining the layers. After a year of trial-and-error shoemaking for herself, she started her brand Rachel Sees Snail Shoes.
Rachel loves her light-filled studio space, her cat Basil, and sharing the joys of handmade footwear. With her new book The Sandalmaking Workshop Rachel hopes to get folks into making their own shoes again. She loves all the aspects that DIY footwear allow her: the designing, the making, the wearing, and the bragging rights!
We’re so excited to have you join us, Rachel.
Rachel Corry's
Podcast Interview
Share with us! The techniques and skills you learn in this workshop are completely interchangeable for all future botanical wreath designs your heart desires. The possibilities are ultimately endless and your creativity is the only limitation. We can’t wait to see the sandals you create! Be sure to share with us by tagging @thecraftersbox, along with our featured artist @rachelseessnailshoes and use #thecraftersbox so we can see (and share) all your amazing, inspiring work. Happy making with this fun hand-crafted workshop.