DIY Spats : Save €1786!

WARNING! : THE REPETITIVE HAND MOTIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT MAY CAUSE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AND MAY CAUSE SEVERE HEADACHES OR STRAIN YOUR EYES. REQUIRES MODERATE TO STRENUOUS CONCENTRATION. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE ATTEMPTING! (just kidding! - I guess you can get a little headache if you over do it!)

Have you ever wanted to wear high quality designer spats but didn't have the €1800 required to buy a pair? well, never fear - this project has you covered. for only €14 you can buy materials that you can use to make yourself a pair of high quality DIY spats, saving yourself over €1000 in the process!

But what exactly are spats though?

wikipedia has this to say : "Spats, a shortening of spatterdashes, or spatter guards are a type of classic footwear accessory for outdoor wear, covering the instep and the ankle. Spats are distinct from gaiters, which are garments worn over the lower trouser leg as well as the shoe"

This instuctable is based on the critically acclaimed and award winning premium Spats for gentlemen and gentlewomen designed by John Patrick Christopher. These spats have been worn by many celebrities like Johnny Depp and Young Thug (https://www.johnpatrickchristopher.com/copy-of-stars). You can order your pair of premium spats from :

https://www.johnpatrickchristopher.com/product-pag...

The following instructable is a Remix of the Spats found on the above link

This instructable has six major components

1. the outer white rexine or faux leather - this is the outer material that will be the main part of the spats

2. The metal buttons - these are there so as to clip the spats securely in place when you're wearing them.

3. The inner material - this is the structural support material that will be within the spats and not visible.

4. the black satin outer layer - this is the material which will be in direct contact with the shoe

5. elastic - this will be used to ensure that the spats are elastic enough to shape the contours of the shoe and your foot.

6. sewing - this project requires basic sewing skills. make sure you have a solid back stitch and blanket stitch.

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This project will probably take a considerable amount of time to assemble, your patience and endurance will be tested.

The materials that will be required for the project are :

1. Hair blow dyer

2. pen / pencil

3. clothes pegs

4. scissors

5. metal rivet buttons

6. white rexine / white leather

7. black satin

8. white elastic

9. sewing needle + sewing thread

10. Glue

11. paper (for making the initial model of the spats)

the first step will be to create a paper mock up of the spats and place them over the shoes that you will want to wear with them. you can use rulers , compasses, protractors and other precision instruments to make sure that the paper spats mirror the desirable shape of the final version that you would like to have.

Assuming that you have managed to assemble the paper model of the spats and are satisfied with the fit, the next step will be to remove the paper spats from the shoe and unfold it - this unfolded paper will become the template that will be used to trace the rexine/faux leather shape that will be cut and used as the final piece. Now using a pen trace the paper shape onto the rexine/faux leather and then cut the rexine/faux leather leaving an allowance of about 2-5 mm, then fold the edge and hold it down using glue as shown in the images above.

after the rexine/faux leather is now cut, its time to add the rivet buttons. the first step is to poke a hole into the rexine/faux leather and then force the rivet button into that hole. expect a little resistance when you push the button in , but the rexine/faux leather has a little bit of flexibility or sketchiness. there are 6 buttons to be added. some glue can be added to strengthen the buttons.

At this stage it is time to add the elastics on the sides and the bottom of the spats. these enable the spats to hold on the shoe and not fall off. the back stitch is the main stitch which is used to join the pieces together. for a tutorial on how to do the back stitch, checkout the following link

At this stage you will notice the model is a bit hollow and if you touch it indelicately 'dents' will be left in the spats. To combat this , while at the same time putting some old leather pieces to good use, you can stuffed the model with leather or any other similar material that has structural integrity then the black satin layer is covered over this and sewn on together.

By now its all a matter of building up and joining the pieces together and internally reinforcing some areas where necessary. As the spats get closer to completion you will need to be fixing areas that need fixing and adjusting your supporting inner structures accordingly.Keep on going. Piece by piece. Edge by edge. Don't worry if you lose track of what you're doing - in the end it will magically fit together. After loads more cutting, gluing and improvising - all will be done. All that's left is to find a nice shoe (and outfit!) to show off your spats. congratulations - You've made it!