How can I make these sandals, part deux

March 27, 2006 7:51 AM

Followup to this question: where can I find a sturdy, inelastic fibre with which to make the uppers for a pair of flip flop sandals?

I'd like to use leather, but it seems to cost $1 a yard, and at that rate it'll cost about $50 to make just the uppers for the sandals. Can anyone recommend a cheaper source for the leather cord, or failing that another, less expensive fibre? My cord criteria is: dark brown, inexpensive (i.e., under $20), crochet-able, strong, and inelastic.

posted by orange swan to Shopping (8 answers total)

How about nylon webbing? A short Google search finds webbing in red, blue, yellow or black at 30 cents a foot.
posted by Pollomacho at 8:56 AM on March 27, 2006

Brown available here.
posted by Pollomacho at 8:58 AM on March 27, 2006

Where else? eBay!

The better options appear to be about $20 or $25. If you're willing to go with a regular brown, it looks like you can spend less.

I'd love to see a picture of these when they're done...
posted by hsoltz at 9:09 AM on March 27, 2006

Fire Mountain Gems has 2mm cord in leather and faux suede. They also have smaller cords in leather, faux suede, waxed cotton, and hemp. 50 yards of any of them should run under $20.
posted by jlkr at 10:12 AM on March 27, 2006

HEMP!
posted by spakto at 11:08 AM on March 27, 2006

Aye, I was going to suggest hemp, as well. There's a store downtown on Queen street that carries hemp twines, amongst other hemp products. You might find some at Romni, as well.
posted by jacquilynne at 11:10 AM on March 27, 2006

Response by poster: HEMP!

....and then once I got tired of the sandals, I could smoke them.
posted by orange swan at 11:13 AM on March 27, 2006

If we're branching out into non-leather material suggestions, how about Lamé? It's fun to work with and a skein costs about $4.
posted by hsoltz at 11:54 AM on March 27, 2006