Shoemaking might be my new favorite hobby. I’ve been interested in shoe design since college, but had no idea that a normal person like me could actually make a pair of shoes until I stumbled across Keiko’s class on Skillshare in January. Keiko is the designer and owner of k*star shoes in Brooklyn and has a tremendous amount of energy and passion for sharing her craft. Her shoes are adorable – check out this pair of polka dot booties!
The first class was an introduction to shoe construction and discussion about places to buy shoemaking supplies in NYC. By the second class we were taping up our lasts and creating patterns from our designs. I decided to design a pair of wedge ankle boots…wedges are the only type of heels I can bother to stand and walk in. Constructing the wedges was tough because I had to match them perfectly to the lasts and make sure they were symmetrical (they’re not!). The wedge materials are laminated foam and cork. The cork keeps the foam from compressing, and yes, they look like tasty ice cream sandwiches.
Update! See the progress – check out shoemaking part two and three! And the finished pair: part four.
Wow. So, impressive! I had a question about the foot-shaped thing: is that the last? How many sizes do they come in — the usual shoe sizes or are they adjustable to make them certain widths, etc? I am intrigued…
Hi Ms. McLean – Thanks! The green foot-shaped thing is indeed the last. The shoe is formed over the last – you can buy lasts in every shoe size and width.
That’s so cool! I make my own clothes, I’m currently making some zebra print shorts!
Hope this goes well for you.
Sounds fun! Thanks for your comment.
I look forward to seeing the finished work!
Thanks for stopping by – stay tuned for the finished shoe!
How exciting!
So exciting – thanks for stopping by!
This is so cool I absolutely love shoes! I’ve always wanted to make a pair of shoes all my own. It’s nice to know that I could if I wanted to!
Amazing – I’v always wondered how to make shoes from the start… thanks so mcuh for the post! I’ma lso so excited to see the final shoe!!!
I want to make shoes too! Looking forward to seeing the results!
This post makes me think of P.S. I love you. I can’t wait to see the finished shoe
I REALLY LIKE THIS POST!!!
cool… makes me want to go out there and take shoemaking classes too!
This post teaches me how to make shoes.
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
awesome post!
Everyone seems to be making their own things now to save money, save the planet, but I hadn’t thought of making shoes, at least not fashionable ones. Good luck with them.
SO cool to see your pictures I too have spent many hours making shoes very tricky business. I was told by an Orthotics Dr if you can make a shoe you can make anything
this is fucking cool man!!! i would die to take a class like this, was it expensive??
really really awesome, be sure to post a pic of the finished product!!!!!!
I want those shoes!!!! lol
Thank you for sharing some of your experience and wisdom.
i like nice post
Reblogged this on Biba's Random Blog and commented:
This is awesome! Check this out
I didn’t know that shoe making is so intensive. I can’t wait to see the finished product! http://www.segmation.wordpress.com
can you please make affordable shoes like the Givenchy resort 2013?????
http://www.vatienne.worpress.com
Pictures are here!
this is fucking cool man!!! i would die to take a class like this, was it expensive??
really really awesome, be sure to post a pic of the finished product!!!!!!
That is wonderful!
Wow, that is awesome! I would kill to make my own shoes!
you’re making great progress! Thank you for sharing. I was under the impression that DIY shoes from scratch just wasn’t an option!
This is amazing. Ever since I watched “p.s. I love you” I have wanted to learn how to make shoes.
wow … I love shoes but making your own is a whole new level … am envious of and excited for you
Cool
Oh my days! I love this blog, I always wondered how they made shoes, the elves and the shoemaker story didnt go into the details sadly in my childhood so thanks!
That’s absolutely awesome. To be able to make a pair of shoes is a great skill – I wish I could do it!
I have been wanting to make shoe models for a while. This gives me some ideas. (it is pretty cool)
http://evaidea.wordpress.com/
Hope you shod your feet and others. Have fun in shoemaking world. Oh yea, Toronto has the Bata Shoe Museum. You would LOVE it. Shoes from different historical eras and cultures.
Clever, so clever! Very happy to see folks out there learning a new skill.
I’m looking forward to Shoemaking Part2.
Thanks for liking my post.
http://www.atsomefactory.wordpress.com
One great reader once told me that I could be a designer, and since when I have been think about things that I would like to create. I came to shoe design. I did not do anything, just was thinking about for a while. I did not search for information on how shoes are crafted and what technology is used. However, today so accidentally I found this blog. Would love to see how everything is going on
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Oh my god it seems amazing! I’ve been doing a lot of fashion sketches but never saw one of a shoe. Do you know if this kind of class is giving in other cities? I’m from Montréal and i would die to do the same ! Thanks a lot! Céline B. http://bellehumeur.wordpress.com/
I’m sure you could find a class in Montreal, or someone to study with! Google can help you find anything. Good luck!
Thanks a lot for answering me !
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hi where can I buy the supplies to make shoes
Hello, what materials did you use for the wedge part of the shoe?
Hi Tammie, I laminated EVA foam (~1/2″ thick) and cork (~1/4″ thick) with rubber cement.