Looking for a stylish DIY fashion project that's both practical and surprisingly beginner-friendly? These woven leather slider sandals might just become your new obsession.
There is something incredibly satisfying about slipping on a pair of sandals you've made entirely by hand. Even better? These woven slider sandals look beautifully intricate, but the process is much simpler than you might expect.
If you've been curious about shoemaking, leathercraft, or creating your own handmade footwear, this project is the perfect place to start.
The Secret to a Beautiful Woven Upper
The standout feature of these leather slider sandals is, of course, the woven upper.
Watching the strips of leather transform into a polished woven design feels a little bit magical, but the real secret happens before the weaving even begins.
It all comes down to how you punch the holes.
The placement and spacing of your punched holes directly affect how the leather strips feed through the upper. Small details here make a huge difference to the finished look. Taking your time during this stage creates a weave that sits neatly, evenly, and comfortably across the foot.
In the video tutorial above, I walk you through exactly how I prepare the upper and demonstrate the techniques that make all the difference. Once you've mastered this step, the weaving itself becomes an enjoyable, almost meditative process (at least for me it was 😅).
The Best Part? You've Already Done the Hard Work.
If you've made my standard slider sandal before, you're going to love this project.
The woven upper uses the same tried-and-tested slider sandal pattern as its foundation. The only difference is the woven construction of the upper itself.
Once your weaving is complete, the remainder of the sandal is assembled exactly as you would build the original slider.
That means no complicated new construction methods to learn and no reinventing the wheel. You get an entirely new look using techniques you may already know.
If you're new to shoemaking, don't worry. The standard slider construction is straightforward and beginner-friendly - I'd recommend making a plain version first to practice the techniques.
No Shoemaking Lasts? No Problem.
One of the biggest misconceptions about learning how to make shoes is that you need an expensive collection of shoemaking lasts before you can even begin.
Not for this project.
In fact, I recommend lasting these slider sandals directly over your own foot.
This allows you to achieve a personalised fit while eliminating one of the biggest barriers that often stops people from trying handmade footwear.
It makes this project incredibly accessible for beginners, hobby leatherworkers, and DIY fashion enthusiasts looking to dip their toes into the world of shoemaking!
Why Make Your Own Leather Sandals?
When you create your own leather sandals, you get to:
- Choose the leather you love.
- Customise colours and finishes.
- Create a fit that works for your feet.
- Learn valuable leatherworking and shoemaking skills.
- Slow down and enjoy the process of making something by hand.
- Wear a pair of sandals with a story behind them.
There is a confidence (and potential smugness 😉) that comes from saying, "I made these."
Ready to Make Your Own Woven Slider Sandals?
If you'd like step-by-step guidance through the entire process, you can join my Online Shoemaking Course, where you'll find the full slider sandal tutorial and detailed instruction to support you every step of the way (plus many, many, MANY more shoemaking and bootmaking tutorials).
Prefer to jump straight in?
You can grab the Slider Sandal Pattern and eBook, gather your materials, and start creating your own pair today.
Whether you're an experienced leatherworker looking for a fresh project or a complete beginner eager to explore DIY shoemaking, these woven leather slider sandals are a rewarding make that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and wearable style.
I can't wait to see the pairs you create.
Tag your finished sandals (@icanmake_shoes on IG), share your progress, and most importantly, enjoy the process!!
