Workshops
Making shoes by hand is a magical journey allowing you to tap into your inner crafter and creative talents!
You do not have to be an expert to create a unique and comfortable pair of shoes, we teach you everything you need to know. We have sneakers workshops, teach boot and oxford shoe creation and much more.
Note: we will continually update the schedule with new workshops throughout the year. If you don’t see the dates that you’re looking for please reach out, we are very happy to try and accommodate your schedule.
Sneakers
1-DAY WORKSHOP $250
Sneakers are universal and beloved, so why not make yours have personality too! We have two ways to make sneakers at Colorado Shoe School, either a one or a two day workshop. Each has its perks and both are fun. Read through the options below to see which fits you better!
The 1 Day Sneaker Workshop is our most popular workshop for beginners, folks who only have a day to play and anyone who wants to get a feel for our school before diving in the deep end of shoemaking. In just one day you’ll walk out of our workshop wearing a pair of shoes of your own creation and having some new skills under your belt too. You will choose the colors, learn to sew and express yourself through your shoes. Come solo or with friends and family! (See example photos)
Skill Level: Beginners are very welcome!
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You will create a pair of Chuck Taylor style sneakers, in a high top or low top variation. The soles of your shoes are a choice between a speckled brown (made from recycled balloons, rice husks and rubber) or speckled white soles (made from recycled tennis balls and rubber). We have created an easy to use pattern for you to work with as you create your shoes from leathers using colors of your choosing.
Next you will have an easy sewing lesson and a chance to practice on some scrap leather before embarking on sewing your shoes together.
Then you will begin the final steps of attaching your own flair hammering in colored grommets and finally choosing your colorful laces, tying it all together. The day is all about having fun and working with our hands, we will walk you through the construction of your sneakers every step of the way.
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Sizes we have available are US sizes – Womens 5 up to Mens 13. *If you are larger than Mens 13 in order to accommodate your size we would need 4 weeks notice.
Upcoming 1-Day Sneaker Workshops
Sneakers
2-DAY WORKSHOP $380
Sneakers are universal and beloved, so why not make yours have personality too! We have two ways to make sneakers at Colorado Shoe School, either a one or a two day workshop. Each has its perks and both are fun. Read through the options below to see which fits you better!
Perfect for the creative student! If you want to get more involved with your sneaker design than just choosing your colors the 2 Day option is the one for you. We will give you a starting point with the pattern we have designed, then from that starting point you can add to it, subtract from it, change elements of it. The options are vast. And by the end of day 2 you will be walking out the door in your unique sneakers. (See example photos)
Skill Level: Beginners are very welcome!
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You will create a pair of Chuck Taylor style sneakers, you can alter the top line of the shoe or stick with our high top or low top variation. The soles of your shoes are a choice between a speckled brown, made from recycled balloons, rice husk and rubber or speckled white soles made from recycled tennis balls and rubber.
Day 1: You will have a whole day to work on your design and prepping your shoe pieces. You will be able to customize your sneakers through material choices and some design details: changing the top-line, appliques, painting/dying, mixing up the fabrics, grommets, topstitching. By the end of Day 1 you will have finalized your design, cut out and dyed your pieces and started work on the basic construction of your sneakers.
Day 2: The day is dedicated to bringing it all together as you finish sewing and assembling your sneakers, hammering in your grommets, choosing your laces and finishing them up. Then they are ready to wear home!
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Sizes we have available are US sizes Womens 5 up to Mens 13. *If you are larger than Mens 13 in order to accommodate your size we would need 4 weeks notice.
The school will provide all the materials, but if you have a design idea that requires specialty materials please feel free to bring something along that will support your design.
We recommend upgrading to the 5 day shoemaking class for highly elaborate design ideas as you will have limited design modifications available in the allotted time frame.
Upcoming 2-Day Sneaker Workshops
Fashion Shoes and Boots
5-DAY WORKSHOP $1290
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. We will teach you about designing, sewing and lasting a pair of shoes, while giving you the freedom to create something truly unique. Specifically, you will design and make a pair of cement-lasted boots or shoes, custom to you.
Skill Level: Beginners are welcome, but sewing skills are a great advantage if you have them.
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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!
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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.
Upcoming Fashion Shoe and Boot Workshops
Quick Derby
3-DAY WORKSHOP $720
This workshop is the perfect starting point for the creative student! You will learn the basics of shoe making to create your own custom made-hand derby shoes.
You will learn how to work from a paper pattern, choose appropriate leather, cut materials, stretch leather (known as lasting), and design your shoe to fit your personal style. The method of construction we teach is called 'cemented last construction', meaning you use a glue (cement) to fix the upper to the sole.
In this three day workshop you will walk out in a derby shoe custom fit to your foot. (See example photos)
Skill Level: Beginning to advanced
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Day 1: Design! You will design your derby style shoe on a last which matches your foot measurements. We have created a few style options with easy to use patterns for you to work with. You will choose leathers you want to make your shoes from and cut out the pattern pieces.
Day 2: Sewing Day! The day starts with a sewing lesson on our specialty machines, then you will be sewing your upper leather pieces together, and finally ‘last’ them to form the 3d shape of your shoes.
Day 3: Final day! You will be assembling your shoes including applying the sole, finishings and laces. There you have it, your brand new custom made shoes!
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We will need your feet measurements prior to your workshop and if you have a specific toe design in mind. Instructions on how to measure your feet will be sent with your confirmation email.
Upcoming Simple Derby Shoe Workshops
Sandals
1-DAY WORKSHOP $250
Let your feet relax! In this sandal workshop you will create your own stylish and handmade sandal and or slide. During the workshop you will design and make a pair of open toe sandals/slides unique to you through your choices of color and leather. This workshop gives you the opportunity to be as daring or as straightforward as you wish to be with your color choices! (See example photos)
Skill Level: Beginning – This workshop is our most accessible workshop with very little sewing involved, great for the beginner sewer.
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We will provide the predesigned pattern for the sandal of your choice and then begin designing your color and leather choices. We will guide you, step by step, through the completion of your sandals.
No matter what you decide your day will be full of creativity, color and easy learning. We provide every tool, piece of material, glue and dye that you might need to bring your sandals to life.
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None needed for this workshop
Upcoming Sandal Workshops
Fanny Pack
1/2-DAY WORKSHOP $190
Fanny pack, bum bag, crossbody bag, belt bag…. There’s no denying that they are useful and an enduring style accessory regardless of what you call them! They have been around since the stone age, through the renaissance and of course a 80’s classic! In this class you will create our version of the classic fanny pack with a belt, inner pocket and zipper. You will be able to choose your own leathers and colors while also adding your own flair with a colorful canvas inside pocket, strap and zipper. You will learn how to put a pattern together, choose your leather and sew together your own personalized bag. Great for beginners, no sewing skills required.
Skill Level: Beginning – This workshop is our most accessible workshop with very little sewing involved, great for the beginner sewer.
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You will first get a brief overview and get familiar with our pre-designed pattern. After that you will get to dive into our leather collection to select your textures and colors. Then you will begin to cut out your pieces of leather, canvas and select your zipper. Finally you will begin to glue and assemble your fanny pack!
We will show you how to use the sewing machines and you will sew your pieces all together including the zipper. Select your strap and buckle and before you know it you will be wearing your fanny pack home!
No matter what your experience will be full of creativity, color and fun. We provide every tool and materials that you might need to create your leather fanny pack!
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None needed for this workshop
Upcoming Fanny Pack Workshops
Intro to Leather Sewing
2-HOUR WORKSHOP $80
Please reach out to schedule your own custom date.
Leather Journal Cover Workshop
If you've always wanted to learn how to sew or create your own leather items, this beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for you! In just 2 hours, you'll get hands-on experience working with leather, learn to use our sewing machines to craft your own leather journal cover. The cover comes with a blank notebook, and you'll personalize it by choosing your preferred leather and colors.
This workshop is an excellent first step for those looking to dive deeper into leathercraft, especially if you're interested in eventually making your own shoes. No prior sewing skills are required—it's designed to be accessible for complete beginners, making it a fun and creative introduction to sewing!
Skill Level: Beginning – This workshop is our most accessible workshop, great for the beginner sewer.
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You will first get a brief overview and get familiar with the simple pattern. Then you will get to dive into our leather collection to select your textures and colors. After that you will begin to cut out your pieces of leather, glue them together, learn a simple hand stitching technique and get introduced to our sewing machines. We will be there for you as you learn to sew and soon you will have a custom journal cover and or simple purse!
No matter what your experience will be full of creativity, color and easy learning. We provide every tool, piece of material, glue, paint and dye that you might need to bring your leather project to life.
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None needed for this workshop
Upcoming Intro to Leather Sewing Workshops
Private Workshops/
Team Building Workshops
Interested in 1:1 instruction, a closed class for your family or group of friends, or exploring ideas that are different than what we offer in listed workshops?
Reach out if you are interested in a team building workshop, consisting of a four or five hour experience, where your team, of up to 12, gets to experience a little bit of everything in shoe making, including choosing your shoes colors.
Unlike the one-day workshop, there’s no rush to finish your shoes that day, as the instructors will complete them and send them to you afterward.
The Sneaker Making Workshop is a great team-building experience where your group shares camaraderie, creativity, and fun while creating their custom sneakers together.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Usually we keep the workshop sizes small between 4 and 6 people to maximize teacher/student ratio for the best learning environment.
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Beginners welcome. We will walk you step by step through the process. If you have never sewn before we will happily help you work with our machines. They are all speed adjustable so you can sew really slowly if thats what you need.
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All the materials are provided. You can pick the leather or if you prefer non leather we have fabrics available too. If you want to bring your own material or you’d like to bring you grandfathers leather jacket that nobody wears any longer and turn it into a pair of shoes let us know we’d be happy to accommodate that.
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We understand that sometimes you need to reschedule or cancel. Your deposit is refundable up until 14 days prior to your workshop start date. We will be unable to refund any fees incurred by paypal processing. No refunds within 13 days of start date.
Gift Certificates are transferable to another attendee, they are non-refundable.
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We recommend you bring a packed lunch and enjoy sitting in our garden or there are a couple of diners and a small super market a 10 min bike ride away/5 min drive.
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2829 N. County rd 23, Bellvue, CO 80512
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We have onsite parking, please part in our drive way or directly beside the stacked wood fence.
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There are 2 or 3 Air B&B’s right in Bellvue we’d be happy to put you in contact with them. We are also only a 15 min drive from Old Town Fort Collins where there are plenty of accommodations.
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We are 5 minutes drive from Horse Tooth Res where there is plenty of hiking, biking, paddle boarding. Old Town Fort Collins is 15 min drive and there are art exhibitions, good food, breweries, music venues to experience. for more ideas check out Visit Fort Collins website.
Our Policies
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By purchasing a workshop you, or the person you are gifting the workshop to, is agreeing to the release of liability. If you wish to read a copy of the waiver here is a link to a pdf. Colorado Shoe School waiver
Classes start and end on time.
It’s a collaborative space, therefore everyone is welcome and to be respected.
No alcohol is to be consumed on the premises of Colorado Shoe School.
Unaccompanied students must be 15 years or over by class start date.
For students between the ages of 12&14 a parent must sign up and attend, making their own pair of shoes along side their child, we don’t accept students younger than 12.
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In order to reserve your place a 50% deposit is required. Full payment is due upon final invoice.
We understand that sometimes you need to reschedule or cancel. Your deposit is refundable up until 14 days prior to your workshop start date. We will be unable to refund any fees incurred by paypal processing. No refunds within 13 days of start date.
Gift Certificates are transferable to another attendee, they are non-refundable.
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We will be taking photos and video during the classes, this is for Colorado Shoe School social media purposes. Please let us know if you would like to opt out.
Colorado Shoe School reserves the right to change/update these policies without prior notice at any given time.
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We will not collect or use your email or phone number for anything other than keeping you up to date with whats happening at Colorado Shoe School.