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.