This hands-on five day intensive workshop balances fun with learning! Learn the enduring skill of shoe construction while creating your own custom pair of cement-lasted boots or shoes. You will choose your own leathers and materials, design your shoes/boots, and have full creative freedom. Learn shoe design, pattern making, sewing, “lasting” and soling while creating your one of a kind shoes or boots.
BEGINNER/ADVANCED — 5 full days (10:00am-5:00pm with a 1 hr lunch break)
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This hands-on five day intensive workshop balances fun with learning! Learn the enduring skill of shoe construction while creating your own custom pair of cement-lasted boots or shoes. You will choose your own leathers and materials, design your shoes/boots, and have full creative freedom. Learn shoe design, pattern making, sewing, “lasting” and soling while creating your one of a kind shoes or boots.
Skill Level: Beginners are welcome, but sewing skills are a great advantage if you have them.
Workshop Breakdown
Day 1: The basics! You will learn how to tape up a “last” to design your shoe and how to draw your design. We will then teach you how to turn the taped last into a pattern which you will use to make your shoes/boots. Finally, we will make a mockup of your design to confirm you are pleased with the size and style.
Day 2: So many choices! You will choose your materials and use the pattern you made to cut your leather pieces. We will teach you how to use our specialty sewing machines and let you practice for a bit before you sew your actual shoes/boots. And to finish up the day, you will then start to sew the basics of your shoe/boots together.
Day 3: You will finish stitching your upper leather pieces, and start to add structural elements like heel counters and lace holes.
Day 4: You will “last” your upper leathers today. Note that hand-lasting is the stage of pulling the leather shoe upper over the form. Then you will work on securing it all in place in preparation for the sole.
Day 5: Final day! You will be assembling your shoe/boot including applying the sole, finishings and laces. There you have it, your brand new custom made shoes!
Prep Needed
These are made to measure shoes/boots, with a max height of 7 inches up the ankle. If you want to go higher than this please email us for a custom workshop request. We will need your feet measurements prior to your workshop for sizing purposes. Instructions on how to measure your feet will be sent with your confirmation email.
