DIY Repairs: Sewing old shoes
By ratyz5
@ratyz5 (7808)
Philippines
February 7, 2023 8:01pm CST
I can't recall when I got these pair of brown shoes, but it was around the time I was already working here in the office.. I like how it feels for my feet and I don't need to tie any shoe laces for this one.
However, as I have been using them for quite a long while, repairs were inevitably needed and I could just bring them to a shoe repair shop, but I got interested on trying to repair it myself. So I went online and purchased some tools to try to repair these shoes.
After a couple of watching how to sew shoe videos online, and getting the tools needed, I was able to fix these old pair.
I guess there's just that sense of fulfillment when DIYs work out well.
How about you? What's your recent DIY repair that you have done lately?
6 people like this
7 responses
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
I also like to learn how to sew fabric or end up creating clothing. I find it quite a necessary skill to have, but all I could do in this regard is to get the thread to go round and round until it looks 'good'
If ever I do get to learn how to repair clothes, I might even try doing costumes that I can wear for events.
2 people like this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
@RubyHawk
I could have learned that while we still stuck at home when restrictions were still imposed. Now that things have relaxed a bit and going to the office is more expected than working from home, free time seems to be fewer and fewer. Still, if I can get the time and the materials, or even the opportunity to, might as well do so.
@RebeccasFarm (89831)
• Arvada, Colorado
8 Feb 23
Well now this is incredible that you were so skilled to be able to follow the video and repair these beautifully made shoes!!!
I try to figure things out a lot too.
I used to repair my own truck, a Dodge Ram, with YouTube vidoes.
I try to figure things out a lot too.
I used to repair my own truck, a Dodge Ram, with YouTube vidoes.2 people like this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
Thanks for the compliment @RebeccasFarm!
I am still new at this particular DIY and the only repair that is noticeable on these shoes are the stiches.
Repairing a vehicle is obviously different to shoes and would need larger equipment needed than a specific needle and particular thread.
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
Shoes as well but it did not involve sewing. I used a shoe barge cement to fix the sole of my shoes.
2 people like this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
I was about to use an adhesive for these pair, but I just remembered that detail after sewing the shoes. So far, they hold strong up to now and also, I learned that we should be using wax thread and not just ordinary thread for repairing shoes in this way.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
9 Feb 23
Did you have those necessary equipment years ago because it was part of a business back then? I can imagine leather being a tough material to pierce a needle through by hand alone and a machine would seem efficient in making the job easier and faster. :)
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
9 Feb 23
@LadyDuck
I often have that thought of 'I can try to fix it myself instead of having it repaired at a shop.' Though there are shops that actually do a good job on repairs, there's that sense of pride and achievement, at least for me, when I get to fix the things that I own, or those in the household, by myself.
Looking online for the materials needed and finding the prices to be much affordable compared to being charged at a shop also adds to the enthusiasm of spending less.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471346)
• Switzerland
9 Feb 23
@ratyz5 I had those equipment because I needed to repair a leather wallet that I liked and it was too expensive to have it repaired by a professional. Our profession was totally different. I would have never given my precious handbag to someone who would have used "a machine".
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
9 Feb 23
Thanks for the compliment @Icydoll! :)
This repair was actually my first try and I started while I was at the office and eventually finished it when I got home. It took me a while to get that 'rhythm' if I can call it that while doing it in the office, but when I did, it was already time to go home. So when I continued the sewing for these shoes at home, I was rather quick with the stitches. :)
If not lately, what have you repaired in the past? Any particular skill or equipment needed in doing the repair on the thing that you have last done?
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
I also like to try if I can still repair things that I can. more on things at home and sometimes at the office, whenever time allows.
There's this info video about clothing repair in Japan that actually leaves the clothing as if no damage ever happened. Depending on the damage, they would take a couple of days but never the less, they are really impressive.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
8 Feb 23
@MasGion
I believe it's a family business, like most specialty service are in that country. They actually use magnifiers so that they can actually see the fibers in the fabric that they'll be repairing, and they also use the right threads.
Try to search for 'The Magic of Invisible Mending' online :)
1 person likes this
