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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.
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The uppers are still in good shape, but the square toes bother me. Also the fit is less than perfect.
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I take them apart and draw a template onto the last with the new shape for the toes.
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I cut the leather in shape according to the template and stitch the uppers back together again.
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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.
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Welting is business as usual..
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The inner life of the shoes with the outsole ready to get glued on.
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I try a new technique for the outsoles. I cut a channel...
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...make holes with an awl...
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...and stitch away.
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Once the stitching is completed, the channel gets closed and looks like this.
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Stitching completed.
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Building the heels.
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With a fudge wheel the soles get finished.
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An edge iron gets heated up with an oil burner.
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...and the edges of the soles are made smooth with the hot iron.
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...and a pair of old ugly loafers got a new lease on life.