Espadrilles are a type of footwear that is made of canvas.
Alpargata is a term that comes from Hispanic Arabic and refers to footwear generally made of canvas and whose sole is made of hemp, esparto or other fibers. To secure them to the feet, espadrilles may have a ribbon or elastic, although sometimes they simply adjust.
Widely used in Latin American countries , Spain and some French regions , espadrilles are characterized by being lightweight. Although most are flat, some have a raised heel.
The manufacture of espadrilles is often handmade, being woven on looms. Some models , less simple, have a rubber coating on the sole with the aim of increasing its durability and providing protection against water and humidity.
History of espadrilles
Historians believe that espadrilles emerged in Ancient Rome as an evolution of the sandals worn by the Egyptians. The Romans, to protect their feet from sun exposure and high temperatures , decided to create footwear similar to a covered sandal.
For many years, in Latin America , espadrilles were associated with field workers. Due to their comfort and low cost, those who worked in rural areas usually chose espadrilles to carry out their tasks . Currently, with new designs and a wide variety of colors, espadrilles are worn in summer by young people of all social classes, even in the cities.
Espadrilles are popular in Latin America, Spain and regions of France.
How to make them at home
Although at first glance it may seem like a process that can only take place in a specialized factory , many people make their own espadrilles, something that can save money and give them greater freedom when creating original designs.
The necessary materials are:
- Two soles.
- Pieces of fabric with the desired colors or designs.
- Tapestry needles.
- Waxed, twine or embroidery thread.
- Paper to draw the patterns.
- Thick pins.
- Scissors.
- Markers.
The first step is to prepare the pattern. For those who do not have previous experience in making espadrilles, you can always buy cheap ones, undo them and copy the pattern on paper . The heel and front toe are expected to be separate: the former is a kind of very wide rectangle with a certain curvature, while the toe should have a shape similar to that of a rounded tent seen from the front.
In espadrilles, there is no difference between the left and right foot, something that makes the process and testing easier. Therefore, at this point it is possible to cut out the patterns and place them on each sole to ensure that there are no errors or irregularities.
It's time to cut the pieces of fabric, both for the lining and the outside. Next, it is recommended to add the desired decorations, and then sew everything along the contour; Note that the seam must be done on the inside, and therefore it is necessary to leave a small gap to turn the structure over once this step is finished. For the soles, the process is the same as for the toe caps.
Having the two pieces of each foot , it is possible to sew them to their respective soles. A tip to achieve a uniform result is to make small marks with the marker at the points where we will pass the needle, and then fix the pieces to the sole with pins, starting with the back ones, so that their ends are inside the front ones. Before sewing them together, it is advisable to try on the espadrilles to make sure not to close the gap too much.
The company Alpargatas Argentina
Alpargatas Argentina , on the other hand, is a company with more than a century of history that is dedicated to the production of footwear and other textile items.
Its best-known brand is Topper , created in 1975 .