Making Dance Shoes - For Lindy Hop and Swing Dance

Support my channel by going to / lauraglaess
Shoes are very personal - everyone has a preference for different types of floors and tempos of dance. Though I love lots of different shoes, this is what I'm most comfortable with and what works on most floors for me. Hope it helps!
SHOES:
Slide & Swing: www.slideandsw...
Barge Cement: www.myshoesupp...
VEGAN ALTERNATIVE:
What I've gotten from various vegan blogs. If you have other solutions, leave a comment!
- Faux Suede Leather: organiccottonp...
- Moleskin (much more slippery)
- Microfiber upholstery (industrial grade for sofas)
MUSIC:
Brooks Prumo Orchestra: brooksprumoorch...
MERCH:
Prints: www.etsy.com/s...
Other: lauraglaess.th...
50% of the money made from this channel is donated to organizations that support African Diasporic art forms, because Lindy Hop is a Black dance, and preserving and cultivating Blackness is very important to its identity. My current charities are:
Black Lindy Hopper's Fund: blacklindyhopp...
National Jazz Museum in Harlem: jazzmuseuminha...

[@cynthiamenos7466]

Updates on the vegan leather (faux suede leather from organic cotton plus) for dancing: I bought the material and stuck them to two different types of sneakers, Bangs and Keds. The Bangs were used solely indoors and the Keds outdoors. I used the rougher material side of the suede as the one exposed to the floor for both and then danced with them for a Lindy Exchange weekend Bangs: Held up pretty well. I'm definitely starting to see the lines of my sneakers sole peeking through but they still have enough slip for the time being Keds: They didn't last one dance on the concrete which was honestly to be expected as the vegan material is almost paper. Overall review: I think if you're going to go the vegan route, it would be worth looking into more durable options as this one might require constant reapplication.

[@teribooth2214]

I am new to your videos and wondered where you’re getting your fun dance shoes. Now I know and can “follow your lead.”

[@olgalysenko3681]

Before this video I honestly thought you were some kind of superhuman who could dance in vans and all kinds of regular non-dance shoes 😝

[@candy1cane]

Thanks for this video!! I just finished adding suede to my shoes and the barge glue tip worked out great 🎉

[@sharonoflondon3365]

That organiccottonplus vegan leather/washable paper looks like an excellent product--thank you for all the work in sourcing this (and all the teaching too)!

[@DavidToppMelanieScot]

Excellent tutorial and FUN video. Well done and thanks!!!

[@thuyuong1696]

Wave to your neighbor :)) another great video, Laura! Haha lets make all of our shoes dance!!

[@shmichael1]

I use the same exact method, except I was vegan when I started out - so no leather. I found that microfiber upholstery will have varying degrees of friction and resilience so multiple tries might be needed. Otherwise I follow the exact same process!

[@LauraGlaess]

Helpful! Thank you!

[@chenny30]

Thank you so much, Laura! I've been looking for these instructions for a very long time 🌷

[@sweetnsourify]

I will have to try this with my whitins minimalist shoes since they are flexible and comfy

[@heidiames9960]

Thank you so much for this video. ❤

[@gohbejesuschrist1209]

That was cool ,af !

[@marivelsilva9378]

Hello there maam have a question can this method be used on cowgirl boots that have rubber soles?

[@shelleybellyleong]

Do you have to scrape off the original leather if some of it is still left on the shoe? Thanks Laura! Such a much needed video!

[@cindygrace8443]

wait.. what kind of leather? Where the heck do I get that at???? I need to do this for a pair of shoes.

[@LauraGlaess]

I would look up "dance leather" or "chrome leather" and your city. I'm sure Amazon will also sell a roll of it

[@RostyslavMykhajliw]

Thanks! Just make my second pair

[@LauraGlaess]

Git it!

[@JAndrioli]

slight correction to this video: you are cute *all the time* not only while dancing. Greetings from Canada

[@LauraGlaess]

Ha! You should see me on my mom days. Sweats and hair all over the place looking like a zombie :P

[@eckdavid2472]

Cool, you're a vegan. I'm a vegetarian. Looks like you've studied art history (the big heavy book). Again, cool! I'm into that too. Keep up the great work!

[@LauraGlaess]

Ha! We're the same!

[@Dittygirl89]

I'm looking forward to meeting you in Sofia soon!

[@LauraGlaess]

Sofia was SO GOOD!

[@CCHENCHENFU]

Very helpful!

[@VitoriaGomes-vd7hv]

Uau!! Tks!! 🥰

[@vintagecafe4540]

fantastic!!!!

[@twotalkingkernels1319]

Hey Laura, what thickness of leather would you suggest using for the soles?

[@LauraGlaess]

Hmmm... I bought that leather so long ago. It's probably about 4mm? But I'm sure a wide range works.

[@kristinesandiego3389]

aloha. thank you for the video! wondering how these hold up outside? i don't intend to use them for daily use but hoping i won't have to bring a different set of shoes between the parking lot across the street and the dance venues

[@LauraGlaess]

I walk in them and they're still pretty great.

[@aripapagianis8269]

Hi Laura, thank you for the video! I was wondering how you have liked having a high-top dance shoe. Have you found it restricting at all? Have you found the ankle support is better?

[@LauraGlaess]

I like the high-tops for style. I haven't found them more or less restricting / supportive, but I do feel quite sassy in them ;)

[@aripapagianis8269]

Haha certainly the pink shoes are famous! Thanks for the response.

[@laurahensley2042]

Has anyone tried the vegan leather? Hoping for reviews on this before I buy it.

[@LauraGlaess]

I want to know the answer to this question!!

[@laurahensley2042]

@@LauraGlaess Hi Laura!! Got another question - how do you pronounce “Glaess?” every time I talk about you with Lindy friends I have to qualify that I don’t know whether to say “Glass” or “Glace” or something else entirely!!!! Thanks in advance 😉

[@LauraGlaess]

@@laurahensley2042 for sure! Glaess like Place ;) almost no one gets out who doesn't already know.

[@laurahensley2042]

@@LauraGlaess ahhhh! so much confusion cleared up! thanks a bunch! and also and esp. for all you do here. Just joined your patreon out of beaucoup appreciation! Love that you focus on Lindy's African American roots and giving credit where it is wholly deserved.

[@sharonoflondon3365]

Thanks--going to check into all that you listed! I'm wondering if any sturdy cotton material would work? There are some new faux leathers / natural materials made from plants--those might be interesting to try too @@LauraGlaess

[@triple-gq6mn]

Thanks for the vegan option :)

[@eedumi1gmail]

Hey,I'm not a vegan,i wonder where can I get the material that you are using

[@o60minmano]

How does the chrome leather hold up on bar room floors?

[@LauraGlaess]

Honestly, I can dance on concrete and the shoes wear out long before the leather does.

[@kd-b7340]

Nice! What glue did you use please?

[@LauraGlaess]

Barge cement. It's fantastic: www.wawak.com/garment-construction/fabric-glue/barge-all-purpose-cement/#sku=glu2

[@mipmip12394]

How thick is the leather?☺️

[@LauraGlaess]

Man, I am not sure. 5mm?