My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Weaving Zori-inspired slip-on Sandals

This Tutorial is inspired by traditional Japanese Zori cloth sandals

Create a dye bath with water based paint or natural dye

Create a dye bath with water based paint or natural dye

See the Tutorial below for suggestions on natural dyes you can use

Soak the sisal in the dye

Soak the sisal in the dye

Loop four sisal sections and secure with knots

Loop four sisal sections and secure with knots. To measure the loops wrap the sisal around your feet and let it overlap slightly. I secured the loops in an overlap to cut down on bulk

For my sandals I made Sisal and Bamboo string. See the Tutorial below for detailed instructions

Secure the loops in pairs with clips

Secure the loops in pairs with clips

Slip the sisal and bamboo string between the loops

Slip the sisal and bamboo string between the loops

And under the bottom loop

And under the bottom loop

Slip the string through the two loops

Slip the string through the two loops

And over the top loop

And over the top loop

Fold the string back up and weave it through the loops.

Fold the string back up and weave it through the loops.

I used the basic "over and under" weaving pattern. See the detailed Tutorial below for more information on weaving with foliage

Fold the string down and weave it through.

Fold the string down and weave it through.

Continue weaving the toe of the sandal on both sides

Continue weaving the toe of the sandal on both sides

Fold the string into the sandal and weave it through from one side to the other

Fold the string into the sandal and weave it through from one side to the other

Fold the string back and weave to the other side.

Fold the string back and weave to the other side.

This is the basic weaving pattern for the sole of the sandal

Continue weaving from side to side

Continue weaving from side to side incorporating the other half of the string to strengthen the sole. Simply wrap it and weave with the loop on that side.

Weave down the loops shaping the sandal as you go along

Weave down the loops shaping the sandal as you go along

I wanted my sandals to look hand made and wove it loosely

I wanted my sandals to look hand made and wove it loosely for a closer weave simply wiggle the string closer each time before adding the next weave

Do exacly the same to make the other sandal

Do exacly the same to make the other sandal

Simply weave down to create the toe.

Simply weave down to create the toe.

Shape the sandal as you go along

Shape the sandal as you go along

Once the two soles are ready you can finish it off

Once the two soles are ready you can finish it off

Remove the clip

Remove the clip

Stitch up the heel of the sandal over the two loops and secure the string with a knot

Stitch up the heel of the sandal over the two loops and secure the string with a knot

Cut the extra string away and wiggle the weave to neaten

Cut the extra string away and wiggle the weave to neaten

Even out gaps and shape the sandal

Even out gaps and shape the sandal

Cut two sections of ribbon for each sandal

Cut two sections of ribbon for each sandal. Loop one ribbon around the other at the middle point

Pull tight to knot

Pull tight to knot

Slip the ribbon through the sandal sole

Slip the ribbon through the sandal sole

Turn the sandal over and knot tightly to secure the ribbon

Turn the sandal over and knot tightly to secure the ribbon

Do the same with the other sandal

Do the same with the other sandal

Fold the ribbon over to the front of the sandal over the bridge of the foot.jpg

Fold the ribbon over to the front of the sandal over the bridge of the foot.

Flip the sandal over and knot around the loop on the side

Flip the sandal over and knot around the loop on the side

Knot tightly

Knot tightly

To finish the sandles take a long blade of grass

To finish the sandals take a long blade of grass...

And stitch around the sandal

And stitch around the sandal

Creating a darker border

Creating a darker border

And covering the knots on the sides

And covering the knots on the sides

Secure the grass with a knot

Secure the grass with a knot

The basic sandals are now ready to decorate

The basic sandals are now ready to decorate

I added a dragonfly on my sandals. See the Tutorial below

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

26 June 2012 Berry dye for sisal fibers

Soak sisal fibres in strawberry and black berry juice to stain it purple

24 August 2011 Stain wooden skewers with natural dye

Using fruit, berries, flowers, leaves and grasses to naturally stain design details for floral art relies on the same techniques as using paint or any other dye.

17 June 2015 Bamboo and Sisal String

Combine sisal string and flexible bamboo to weave with

14 January 2015 Weaving Slippers from Foliage

Weave slip on shoes from palm leaves

18 September 2013 Autumn leaf ballet slippers from scratch

Pick up a few fall leaves to glue on paper to make fairy slippers

8 June 2011 Foliage Weaving

For this tutorial I focus on a simple weave pattern that does not require you to soften or prepare the leaves to be more durable or flexible. This is the starting point in...

Favourite Flowers

Phormium

Flax, New Zealand flax

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