Loafers, refurbished

Loafers are not exactly my favorite kind of shoes. But they are a staple in a men's wardrobe and in some occasions they are not so bad.

I have a pair in my closet, bought them probably twenty years ago. Never liked them very much, specially the toe is a bit to square for my taste. So they are a good candidate for a make-over.

The uppers are still in good shape, but the square toes bother me. Also the fit is less than perfect.

I take them apart and draw a template onto the last with the new shape for the toes.

I cut the leather in shape according to the template and stitch the uppers back together again.

On these ones I make a nice arch support and create a new toe-line with a piece of leather. My lasts are a bit too pointy for loafers.

Welting is business as usual..

The inner life of the shoes with the outsole ready to get glued on.

I try a new technique for the outsoles. I cut a channel...

...make holes with an awl...

...and stitch away.

Once the stitching is completed, the channel gets closed and looks like this.

Stitching completed.

Building the heels.

With a fudge wheel the soles get finished.

An edge iron gets heated up with an oil burner.

...and the edges of the soles are made smooth with the hot iron.

...and a pair of old ugly loafers got a new lease on life.