You are on the wrong forum.

If you think this is the wrong forum, then perhaps you can suggest a better one. There isn't a surfing forum that I know of that discusses this issue.

I would create my own patterns for the booties. Normally I make all my patterns with drafting paper, but for booties, I would use muslin and fit the fabric to the bootie, providing you have one that fits or is close to fitting that you can adjust.

What are you using for the bottom of the booties? Do you have the right adhesives for neoprene and rubber?

I would go to a surf shop that makes custom wetsuits and have booties made by them rather than to attempt it myself.

Hi Lars, thanks for the info! I want to use the same material for the bottom (i.e. neoprene and a puncture-resistant lining) as for the sides. The lining is flexible, but doesn't stretch much, which is a problem because booties need to fit very closely to avoid dragging too much in the water. I do have existing booties that I can make patterns from using muslin, as you suggested, but their fit (and getting on/off) all relies on stretch.

I have talked to a few custom wetsuit places but they are mostly unresponsive/too busy with reduced staff due to the lockdown to help out. Do you know where I could find anything instructional on how these kinds of places make existing booties?

Thanks again!

well, Lars, pretty sure Garden Forum and design dilemma are not the proper forums for surfing booties. However, if OP looked at all of the available forums, perhaps she'd find the one for sewing or crafts or even DIY. I'm sure she would get more help there than on the landscape or kitchen design forums.

go to AllDiscussions, and they'll have a list.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/explore-discussions

mysterious monkey:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/sewing

Have you considered making bootie liners instead? I'm not super familiar with surfing booties, but it sounds like you're desired change is a different lining. Would it be possible to just make a liner that you could put on first (and not have to worry about the special stitching and waterproofing) and then put an existing bootie over? That way you could figure out a different way to put on the liner (hook and loop? wrap on like an ace bandage?) that wouldn't have to compromise the stretchy fit of the bootie.

Beth, as far as I can tell, this is posted on the sewing forum. I looked through the list and the sewing forum seems most relevant to the question to me. I went there and I see this question listed at the top. Not sure how it's showing up on the "garden forum"?

Bootie liners are a good idea, I have tried wrapping my feet in the material and then putting on regular booties. This works, but it is difficult to get on/off, especially because the material comes apart when you forcibly drag something across its surface. It does fine in compression. So this probably could be made to work, but it would be more convenient if I could make it one unit, sandwiched or whatever

It is my impression that surf booties are made using heat compression, and you would need very special equipment for this, which is why I suggested going to a surf shop that makes custom booties.

Here's a video that shows how to fit already made booties to your feet:

Note: I only saw that this was posting on the sewing forum. I saw a post on Design Dilemma that was about insurance that had nothing to do with design, and no one complained about that. There are unforeseen problems with cross posting.

I saw this post on the Sewing forum

I'm seeing this on the sewing forum, also.

Obviously it’s working as Lars is helping the OP, for goodness sake.

you might also want to check reddit -- which I find has way more crafty / DIY enthusiasts than Houzz. I don't want to link to a different forum here, so just google it.

Thanks for the info! I will defintiely post on reddit, good idea.

C.T., I'm curious, what is the model of the machine you use? where did you get it? doesn't sound that expensive, all things considered

The machine *works* the same way, with a curved needle that moves in an arc. It isn't designed to get into small corners, and it's a light duty machine that won't go through heavy material. (Certainly, not through puncture resistant material) It won't be able to do what you want it to do. The machine pictured in your video it set up more like something to stitch shoes: a very small work area and a lot of open space to manipulate the garment. You can try contacting shoe manufacturers and see if they're getting rid of old machines.Otherwise, here is a website for specialty, industrial sewing machines. https://globalsew.com/product-category/shoes/

Industrial machines are sold with a head (the working apparatus) the table, and a motor. They start at around $800 - $1000 USD. Plus shipping