Any other Barefooters out there? - Page 38

[Lazurii]

Originally Posted by LessTraveledBy 

I must say that I figured solemum was making fun of us or something like that by posting what she did. I cannot believe that anyone would laugh about the things she supposedly did.

I hope so.

[yippiehippie]

Yes, I was pretty shocked by that post too, speechless actually! I hate to have barefooting be even more associated w/dirtyness than it already is! 

AFM, thinking of getting some softstars. Even in the desert it often feels too cold for my vibrams:(

Anyone make there own shoes by knitting and felting wool slippers? I was thinking about it but figured I should put some leather or something on the soles...ideas??

[Lazurii]

Yippiehippie, I've been trying to do something like that for my kids but not having a ton of success.  I'm using felted wool sweaters as fabric and making a suede sole.  I just don't have a pattern to use and making one up isn't working.  I'm thinking of just making the wool slipper/boot protion and then stitching the suede on afterwards with a blanket stitch.

I would love something like these boots from WoolyBaby on Etsy.  I think they're super cute!  She even has adult sizes.

[A_Random_Phrase]

I also didn't know what to make of the rudeness of that behavior, but some people don't think, I guess. Other than that, she seems like an interesting person (I've read a few posts she has made in other places).

I researched (online) home-made shoes a long time ago. Here's what I have bookmarked:

Shoes and sandals out of corn husks.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Things+to+make+with+corn+husks%3A+make+your+own+shoes+and+sandals!-a013299370

Crocheting sandals out of grocery bags.

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=87737.0

Soft-soled leather shoes - they're selling the pattern.

http://www.makethemyourself.com/wshoe.html

Not exactly what you're looking for, but you may like to look at the links anyway.

[jocelyndale]

I've seen folks stitch soft leather to wool socks (felted or not) and then dip/brush the soles in rubber.  Being allergic to wool/lanolin and natural rubber latex, it hasn't been high on my list of things to try.

[yippiehippie]

Originally Posted by Lazurii 

Yippiehippie, I've been trying to do something like that for my kids but not having a ton of success.  I'm using felted wool sweaters as fabric and making a suede sole.  I just don't have a pattern to use and making one up isn't working.  I'm thinking of just making the wool slipper/boot protion and then stitching the suede on afterwards with a blanket stitch.

I would love something like these boots from WoolyBaby on Etsy.  I think they're super cute!  She even has adult sizes.

I like all the ideas, but this is kinda what I had in mind since I knit only. Looks like I'll be hitting thrift stores for some suede or leather, not sure what else to put on the bottom. Jocelyndale - do you know where ppl get the rubber to paint on the soles? I'd rather have something softer anyway if anyone knows of a good source

[jocelyndale]

I think the rubber is sole in a jar or something like that.

[Lazurii]

My friend uses puff paint on the bottom of her wool slippers to make them non-slip.  She paints a lot of squiggles on them.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to make "barefoot" shoes using socks and tool grip stuff.  I'm sure wool socks could be used.  I'm actually thinking I'm going to do this for my winter footwear because it looks easy and cheap.

[solemum]

Man, its pretty tough incurring the wrath and judgement of all you mamas out there!

Just to let you know we remain very good friends with the elderly couple next door, my children happily go over there and play, they are the proper grandparents my children dont have, and I often go over to chat and socialise......

Just for the record once the dirt dried on the carpet it was easy to brush off without any problem, and we all laughed about it afterwards.

I am beginning to feel some of the social differences and levels of tolerance between our two nations is far greater than I first thought , maybe thats why you have a NSNSNS policy and we would never dream of having one - just a thought?

[Lazurii]

Solemum, knowing more of the story is helpful.  It sounded at first as if you didn't care if you damaged their property.  I can attest that a few of my friendships have started with my children doing something that overstepped their social boundaries.

It would make sense there are cultural circumstances that are confusing to both parties.

[yippiehippie]

Originally Posted by solemum 

Man, its pretty tough incurring the wrath and judgement of all you mamas out there!

Just to let you know we remain very good friends with the elderly couple next door, my children happily go over there and play, they are the proper grandparents my children dont have, and I often go over to chat and socialise......

Just for the record once the dirt dried on the carpet it was easy to brush off without any problem, and we all laughed about it afterwards.

I am beginning to feel some of the social differences and levels of tolerance between our two nations is far greater than I first thought , maybe thats why you have a NSNSNS policy and we would never dream of having one - just a thought?

Pardon my ignorance, but what's a NSNSNS policy?

I'm sure, it must be difficult to adjust to a completely different culture! Thanks for explaining yourself though, it did seem like you didn't care in your first post;) Glad your kiddos have grandparent figures close!
 

[solemum]

"no shirt, no shoes, no service"

[jenP]

Hey, fellow barefooting mamas.... how about those "rope" sandals? How are the soles on them for a barefooter? I've been pretty much exclusively wearing SoftStars for a couple years now and my feet are soooooo happy with them! - but they don't have an actual sandal (though the merry janes are quite nice), so I was thinking of trying the rope ones.

Any reviews? Recommendations for a good brand?

Thanks!!

[A_Random_Phrase]

I've never had experience with rope sandals. I would like to try them sometime.
 

[yippiehippie]

Originally Posted by jenP 

Hey, fellow barefooting mamas.... how about those "rope" sandals? How are the soles on them for a barefooter? I've been pretty much exclusively wearing SoftStars for a couple years now and my feet are soooooo happy with them! - but they don't have an actual sandal (though the merry janes are quite nice), so I was thinking of trying the rope ones.

Any reviews? Recommendations for a good brand?

Thanks!!

Luna sandals are what I wear, though they're not real rope sandals, they do have the vibram bottoms, much like softstars so you might like them. I got the do-it-yourself kit w/hemp laces and they're attractive, IMO. Sorry this is so late, end of summer, but maybe for next summer if you haven't found any? I also like rope ones but wonder how stiff they might be? Anyone out there try them? There was a specific brand I wanted but now don't remember the name, they're all made in some village by hand, but look like the bottom is so thick rope it might be too stiff after being used to almost no soles.

I'm finally splurging on my own pair of softstars this winter! Any recommendations on styles? Wondering how the moccossins hold up...

[lotusrising]

Yes...well mostly. We wear shoes in public usually, but we buy soft star shoes which are "barefoot shoes." At home, in the yard, or on walks on the street, we are barefoot hillbillies without apologies. I strongly believe it is the best situation for the feet and body and...soul, dammit! :)

[A_Random_Phrase]

Yep.
 

[Lazurii]

Another tutorial to add to the list:  I found this how-to on making rain boots from fused plastic grocery bags.  They look fairly sturdy (16 layers of plastic with a layer of cheese cloth sandwiched between) and it would be nice for my wet, mucky Portland winter.  I'll ba happy to get my kids back into more flexible rain gear.  I'm thinking about making them a bit bigger than needed so I can wear thick wool socks with them.

http://louierigano.com/index.php?/work/rain-boots/

[Lazurii]

Aaaaand, another tutorial on making wool slippers from felted sweaters.  Really good directions on drafting individually sized patterns.  It could be used to make a pattern for the above rain boots.

http://thrillinglythrifty.blogspot.com/2010/10/recycled-wool-sweater-slippers-tutorial.html

[~PurityLake~]

I am allergic to wool and wonder if anyone else has that problem. Wool seems a highly recommended item for making a lot of things when trying to be all natural. It just would never work for me. Are there other materials that have the benefits of wool without being wool?