Lindy Hop Tips and Tricks

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Info and links to info about the things that make your dancing more fun, more productive, safer.  How to suede your shoes, what stuff to pack in your dance bag, how to spin without getting dizzy, etc.

This should work with any material as long as you use the right type of adhesive. But if you're considering using hard leather I recommend you go to a professional shoemaker.

If possible, bring the shoes when buying material. The store selling the material you've decided to go for should be able to give advice on what type of adhesive you should use. Consider the material of the soles of your shoes and the material you want to attach.  A non-water based adhesive is recommended since there's quite a lot of moisture in the air at any dance venue, and this will have an affect on the glue.

For suede soles, try looking for leather skirts at thrift stores (the thicker the better), or for thicker soles, see if there is a leather tannery in your area--sometimes they have scraps for cheap that will cover your two feet.  Shoe Goo and Barge Cement are both good, though toxic-fume-producing, adhesives.  Do this project outside or in a fume hood if you have access to one (do you know any science nerds? they might be able to help you out). 

Step-by-step:

1. Make sure that the sole of the shoe is dry and smooth. Use a sharp knife (carpet knife) to remove any irregularities. Preferably the sole should be as flat as possible.
2. Rub the sole of the shoe with sandpaper to roughen it up and give the glue a better surface to stick to.
3. Trace the outline of the sole onto the material, but leave some excess to be trimmed off later, and cut on the outside of that line.
4. When applying the glue start at either the heel or toe of the shoe and work your way across in small segments.
5. Apply the glue according to the instructions on the container. (Some glues will have to be applied on both the sole of the shoe and the material being glued on) because the glue bond will be weaker if you have to pull it off and stick it again. 
6. Be sure to apply pressure to make the material bond well to the sole of the shoe.
7. Trim the excess material using a pair of sharp scissors.
8. Let the glue set/harden for a day (consult the package) before you start using your new fantastic shoes.

 Enjoy!

P.S.: Don't cut yourself :)