How to Save Your Favorite Slipper - Part 2 of 2 - Stitching for Strength

Fig.1 Gary's slippers

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
80-grit belt sand paper
Nitrile disposable gloves
Painters tarp
Saddle stitching
Sewing awl kit
Waxed thread 5 cord linen
35-pound tensile strength

My Christmas slippers lasted five years and were made of a lambs wool upper, collared slippers in white, double-face sheepskin uppers, fully lined in genuine sheepskin, rubber sole, size at 13.

This post shows the nine steps continuing from Part 1 of 2 - how to mend my favorite slippers.

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the slippers received for Christmas.
Step 2: After three hours the clamps were released from the slippers. Fig.2 shows the two slippers that had clamps placed around each of the bad areas. Now only a few are on the slippers were areas were still gaping.

Fig.2 Both slippers are clamped

Step 3: The slippers did not gap. Fig.3 shows that the clamp was still on to make sure that this area of the uppers did not come loose because it was a stress point in the slipper. Fig.4 and fig.5 shows that the gaps in the back and in the front of the slipper have held close to the rubber sole.

Fig.3 Clamp

Fig.4 Back

Fig.5 Front

Step 4: After the glue has dried use 80-grit belt sand paper to remove the excess glue on the sole of the slippers.
Step 5: After 24-hours add a few saddle stitches to key damage areas into the soles of the shoes.
Step 6: To accomplish the saddle stitching the leather of the slippers uppers need to be cut in a diagonal angle.  
Step 7: Try to place the holes in the same diagonal pattern.  
Step 8: Use an awl with built in waxed thread and lace them into the holes of the leather and the rubber soles. This take a bit of practice, just do the best you can, the goal here is to give the slipper just a little more strength on badly damaged areas. Fig.6, fig.7 and fig.8 shows to starts the awl into the sole of the leather and into the other side. Pull the thread into the loop and place the next needle into the next hole. Do all the holes in the damaged area.

Fig.6 Waxed thread

Fig.7 Awl

Fig.8 Saddle stitching

Step 9: Fig.9 shows the lamb wool slippers presently in better condition. The guess is that these slippers will last at least the end of the year.

Fig.9 Slippers

How to Save Your Favorite Slipper:

• Part 1 of 2 - Taking Apart and Gluing the Slipper Heel
• Part 2 of 2 - Stitching for Strength

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