I MADE MY OWN SHOES!!!!!!! (In case you hadn't heard).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgagV78KcBW0xqjMN0kyXiWASjN4dlc1vCAXYjAD6GwrFeZZDGNSy8vdjCA3hV29WoVDq2EOS2UsUlUgNCZLx2xFQhrcN70zkdfyekwNOSNHv493AJDJgmzc4DrV9iMkg_CqNJGyZ134/s640/amb_shoe_11.jpg) |
The right shoe is still on the last. The left one is more or less finished. |
I took an amazing week-long shoemaking workshop with
Chris Francis at Otis, through the
auspices of the Continuing Ed department.
[Thank you CE, for underwriting my participation].
Seven of us worked 9-5, Mon-Fri, and 8-11 Sat and all made at least one shoe.
I'll post more about some of the amazing women that participated in subsequent posts --
this one is all about the process!
I'll show you some highlights -- get comfortable, kick your feet up, shoemaking has a lot of steps (harhar).
[I'll keep the images small, for easier scrolling. You can click on an image to see it bigger].
Day One: measuring
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupGShMWNJxjkRX8mCHNp6CjvkZgMnQPmSUEdAUNCLIjFvw4CZ-q6fEGUTt93dxrMaP6ERKS4tDezH8zBQXpbE14XUbnS4f4Bg3qT4X5b63tL01NTL2f57B_mPU2E0N18d322yVxGmEXg/s320/shoemaking_1.jpg) |
the last is first |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5qECoNmw59BWLJ-_MPfYOujOQq4bTg34-SJroZYHDe-1rBbUwQ7I3RbixX2rGi8iFubb1wOoJ5kecA0EK2R9T8dBLhfdUp66JxBBYb1h88wmFK_I0MkRtx8tyW3X-2PO3Wp48uCxjiU/s320/shoemaking_2.jpg) |
foot tracing and measuring |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsVeI_mz27N25bYTGEHKQfpKpwUKfecf2az_xMTGcrt-B3e1ntL6CRSwAY7qR_DLWcThFjHFcxp2VDb-jaLlYyb4lx4ybOBcEu_OivSKx_IH6HOqu64adZyLkzPbTmWcDzGl_4M5WMuU/s320/shoemaking_3.jpg) |
comparing the tracing to the last, marking areas to extend |
Day 2: Midsole
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvoZCsdAVfh4iB7cYfE1JhgrgYy6tqmMgHl-2-iBRSjwQDaxYOH440eNF0MzRQbt_OGbI9_DrZGse5M_4Y782bTk_sbftrnDpEsTnMd6KUDBXc7yLyWWrXCcfLZ8eEDGB7wS-xSKzPpg/s320/shoemaking_4.jpg) |
creating midsoles from scratch
leather is sandwiched between layers of a paper product called redboard |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7_WKKDG1inemuIbMpYZLJR3nlHTtwgrsykqf0Eco_TL028AyEliXSz-YZIgco_e7xWA3xQ4xWAu9GknULRoFzu8UurI8laYkaIXGoXv9PU0kqABrFOIAYoaeHKem_uoDNbUOIXamDaU/s320/shoemaking_5.jpg) |
phase 1 of midsole nailed to last |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PfwmbFxNlB5khU9qPLFvhJqyCchnKlP3CtT2MphgewQXIsyY92uvGdQ11-seugcsACWAh9iZ2OZA_DMFW3zihj9VkIuf-8uRg02z7DJiKmvEyCpBQkRr-QnkN4yywyFFS_pgwkLfrQw/s320/shoemaking_6.jpg) |
adding steel shanks |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexXyICOV_q6morDqm602nhh4LEL7RMNmRM_Yw_9xH-OUOT0AtYvRpFcSNJu3Vyx2SW00wVoVeAQzGk0sv57X7-FMmrnkTRmONyET6aNTFYzi7QS54aXPxIzXQfYtH0yzm5bZRciXktqE/s320/shoemaking_7.jpg) |
adding more redboard to bottom of midsole |
Day Three: uppers - designing, patterns, painting
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Le0hbYsCT0FXjCkmsgzv1VeqPhsc-kquQDEewdhaYQP1d81A3g3GHLTOrm-ONHLyqYxg6BzHc5c2c5sLdq9mdK7l3x4IzNUTB_OSD82EUQAxvQ7KviOZap8Ny5CxbvYeDpdUqLdq_Go/s320/shoemaking_9.jpg) |
last covered with masking tape, design worked out |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTydcFM7Xus_lvRhO4iZQ7w9RfcwClDQvZDC1jZXq18e7dr0UETKZw_N-xHS_xJRNtCzvKyYqDlblZk40CeMiBm4p1jyem883PX7xbsszHZCsn9T8jNr8tPofWet3frPXEJ8xyKVJQ4H4/s320/shoemaking_10.jpg) |
masking tape carefully peeled off last |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dZOy-KQYNE1Kw2yLY2hWsk-eh5MtjEMct1L5_adxLd2sjJ1Sqr1QeEdrjpZh0eD20Hvm40-B0rWfi-30nnOW8yLkcYzmYFsUSb_hwJ9-kJ_t1a4C0lgUXKciF-yEcEblLhNyqlZX0sE/s320/shoemaking_11.jpg) |
truing up paper pattern |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe0KseleCzPhtGUhDBu3Lw1NVkDIUdiez6WxrU1piVRBCUTMNTzk-tAA1bq5Q7cXQy1ob7vhnoeIJMe8WjfqlEJChmNSkjJZtKUx13nULJv7vfNGdzV421bsyeOGIyaY22cxnXoWspGk/s320/shoemaking_12.jpg) |
cutting the uppers from raw vegetan cowhide |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIGXrs0RWYEVsec84hQtexjkWcwfIGP_jIYd5bffkzWfoWaYZPuzvU_W59wlKiaz8m6UfzH_FVwMQ72gRDUDRX2PC7iUWwd5Ho6Ujo1GM0IwQtZ72cU2RDQPI67Jw-z6P-f-eDMZ4ppo/s320/shoemaking_15.jpg) |
folding the topline |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIB9s9xYR1b91HSxJSt66G6e3ptkXVt1Z8O-YegTH6CUf415nR2aLTA-5dCm3YrZGNSy56usv68HitqVeR8CQqxTm_h2677GPHOIubaPX8As2L1JYZwWhxKgomBHpI4e5dx-_NqMjQJM/s320/shoemaking_16.jpg) |
stitched dart shapes back of heel |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsIy-F63r5QzxSdNX-vjN3ssito2DnEKkg8CyKp0iMKFBeWEjuHgbUyPQ_t5pfsTbo1lJ983kATxFN0o9q1CNFmW9NzJ0APZiLfHqofdHeWFZuRt59e6_ZhITiL8GCDxp9PZHHpBjpWM/s320/shoemaking_13.jpg) |
paint it RED! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG0R6S-fa84KZvH7hAEpJLApBLCWw5un-exio-T81UgqagkspH-hFMDH4HKBoPvWCfjc5qmZ_rR7_PrZ3IW1oAH24er9-DjoAF1vJGD97fA04tCydq3btAlsX0ZdEIVjW-l6yVr6Krj8/s320/shoemaking_14.jpg) |
adding leopard pattern |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyAv7ChyCvd1rWJviw0DoYtwVBwrd4sccmR0FPoDfuFqpYTrtdB5xAxoA3kOOiizgIbXhxB5X-yPv4GB-nOv6hKv-i_97TSY9vt6suoX73Ywcee8OzucbVEqbi-BVI89GbW9GbnWz5HU/s320/shoemaking_16a.jpg) |
cutting pigskin liner |
Day Four: sewing upper, lasting
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsrBGHny8LvS6Noas4JpSh5-9yPbursN4AdVYwedWjHyVsW5wy9TlNALhfJ_Zz4UDe2KjD3axBI_jn4Sj6LsT52BeZ_LMyNmdiGMfBrR9vfX24g0tMf9asWiFsx3tEg3UyyeZazMnPm0/s320/shoemaking_17.jpg) |
attaching upper to liner at topline |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPyvdPrgwlvlhA3CX8nqecOt3EDKSs4CTspx2Z_z7Vb4MFMXD1OVS6C7CpWfsKwlpDtrPKmFW6DecrQoZ3WnudGyU7nSwwN4d042ATWypIlqhloPgWG4IbduvTbpFmX4LB7Pzl8nEHOI/s320/shoemaking_18.jpg) |
covering the edges of midsole with vintage Thai silk |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCSrto3guEwuXWkVcrQBiKBKhXiH7WDYLbkpqVF24x08a98ZgvF3qDSKy_dRJImx3Z0mf32Y482PqIicHm4YcjdZKeBWQqC5oPayxwL_mtpCseOTBaIxtEgYrZVJw0z8GFWNQTkoApeU/s320/shoemaking_20.jpg) |
ready to begin lasting |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCLrWWqLpe3-Qx0AV-06HrLwKugIrnc2BgWZsNpKHOIyAmg5VAu3S3RiyUfzWUWzPTMi4WS9faQ2AFSA_B_CttuhQqQei4YcSy8OHkh4Bj7WSB5eM2n-Mrlkn30NfwqCjo9T5kJMYS-g/s320/shoemaking_21.jpg) |
first nails |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE3_pbztJUthZ_0_KATd0mdXVEM0w1ALO2fv_8WOPbdi5Kw-x-ZJWC9fAnMiwfA7iJLIatKi6x4Y7ppTmHIWoB8oDBCCc0A3ymP77CHOGhkOhBxXEMW9p4ggXvLJYztOsEGl6Pzkey4g/s320/shoemaking_22.jpg) |
oops, heel dart not in center. oh well. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQfNqkYIqX4jz_EdOQZyvZkALBElGZ8Qe80M1HCZ4cPtdUWG-jNrBxssuKpa1rw3xtlAKejrldke7UkIxSetrYBF6uMwQ0KXxPJYTcWAT7CB_DGFbQuGV8Pgz0Ne5nKkuhB44yunhJrQ/s320/shoemaking_23.jpg) |
prep for gluing in toe box |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKDrijhrFjibLNUbsldJph2sHJOd8qIuSA_l3-R4YzBndZ3T5Gp8zVU8a9Y3AQGWdsyN6HI50JvnITXuCp3c6xEMsdmqSejkqYYcccGzaPRqaTQk_B27RS4S0j7hAv8v96vUJw7eIO4o/s320/shoemaking_24.jpg) |
the pair is lasted |
Day Five: heels, soles
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cR6EsLcaoObkCUPUBYLCYg9s61iIEfLKxoWsF5ERm_1wzcBszIDboBBQ0f97HyZ0YDqjNxbsXTS_X-lLMXdmqpZ2fbS-N1NCXMTlXRBBWVpd1UaqZDePH2ZdKVxLMNBEuUAUjAE54os/s320/shoemaking_26.jpg) |
prep for gluing upper to midsole and adding cork |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvNUFqi4s0BstHjRDLoIgmIWRCefKa-d2n0DyunxXy51ErD_UU_vzOUUBsYRvS88iXOfubScDr1voJdwUDhwNNeVzeBxlbUFBnznnuAB3hiDz1XyTnN7euH3hvOcRzysOLJZ4okfXg9Q/s320/shoemaking_24.jpg) |
next the nails will be replaced with tacks, which stay in the shoe |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ejBsq2U1HHoNRIAxq0ie75pTzcovgJ2p2aMTDS_nLFeRHXEDZWsUKPeT4PbsBAEoo4nNTN-QL4uqzV8FDcS40TfyDBqGRL5dbWIOuBWvcAVjiCDSpk9b9u0KSFBgAj6WVlKM666Ot-s/s320/shoemaking_28.jpg) |
bottom is smoothed with sander and dremmel |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHCjR7ba-ALHlti7eCnQFMhXWQoRcXAKFfk7gAd0EGMYsANVkegMGkdCihcvjLYXPOGXuf4x2NH210Se1W0vFKbQ6UebQD7VImor-z9moc9hANNqg6cw_vwxbGy3XXv6etBWg2POts_Y/s320/shoemaking_29.jpg) |
we used plastic heels |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RYpnXYZRmRlsxyOzuoo8aJDd1Aa2hpnuIpHhx7znGSR2UhMR6kNcxVn759UbdQs-zLXdEr8F-WcIMA69aUfHSZu63lLRXbP1ZKBnwgbbhvPId96yiE3RuZWDEGxzY0sYSt17GG5cJKA/s320/shoemaking_30.jpg) |
plastic covered with pigskin, then dyed black |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZG48LZsemH5TbEGOT4nkPSlA2N8eYo91vh6os1N3te0tgClVSLKy61IGkgOH56lZbYfiC3MW_fAQl2UhdHOKM-B9EwPs_ojVTLUYTpYK7uCQnTdFhrhNf1rhyaMGl4acBf-JtJcj5Jc/s320/shoemaking_31.jpg) |
heel glued, it stands! |
[Chris didn't want us sharing his method of making the soles.]
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcM3m0HXe1EHJYNFnGiz1f2nOO1tp0_GRdukYOwPmesdlF736_98Xg59dq4nCln7dXY5oibaqMj_aqW4n2_vqifHuNi4WESmBJSBiJw_pqsFS56n6U2_WKGlI8nSi12lvbo7brTyvjYE/s320/shoemaking_36.jpg) |
here, I'm waiting for glue to dry to stick the sole to the heel |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H7PGatLF1LO0Z6HNgtnRau_GCMSM3fT1wMaHYwIEaosb_ELxjXYmVcZQZqYC3oezvTqz64jx9Ox1UvLkfSxtGIOEtGltBqb2E0zwhhV8_xr-ovx_wjc1YljBOxdBcbIVAPLxKgz4YvY/s320/shoemaking_37.jpg) |
I wrote a secret message inside the right sole |
Day Six: delasting, insole, done
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p5AdAFhxPxE4sPogwtXwqVKNY7IXqDQEp6CLNz_qB-pn5sNQOm1jxIbbVWVoffD8IDnE7vaWZt5HgvoaLSEP31VPLdBvUEJrrGULmvSjv5OmoF4pUXqGPLUcoX1uD-76penPB8ZndjM/s320/shoemaking_38.jpg) |
lining trimmed from topline
ready to delast! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dSra55xwAuOHQ4xd9pppSo6c0PYZPGc4-MT7w74TQOyRWTFhVDd48wR6Emq4hD4y7lcUw-uJoetnRl03l-rpAkGtTsHveFUZ08quU4iIsIDKRrAN0uQ7Nx_7Y7CmRg4cW8qBZ70jY9A/s320/shoemaking_39.jpg) |
tada! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsH4w2Mfd_Go2XThWRoGLf-DqGoaAOe1CM8h9sy7dnrLLsHVGinqqNk_meLuUQFQjrLmNxKvMiDDL-MI7I81ozytd9eOnFxyVmFMReAbtnAVM4FsDXHfj2VULEMgE7cMPzNhgxDqp0lA/s320/shoemaking_3-40.jpg) |
after sinking screws into the heel and nailing in tap, the insole pattern is refined
I didn't catch what kind of leather we cut the insole from
I painted mine purple |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMdbNbna4ZoJs2o9b2Vaxel2-fsT-d2mqmQjKSWfBdvUScORvUnMCxUFx1cQTwuD-EpEPryyoh6HVUEwSajnQrK7TDhWS3fpQHusDZ0OhkVU9eoLM1Ozt91zyizkJkwT_3E4dkL-rYBI/s320/shoemaking_41.jpg) |
it's a shoe! |
Did you have any idea that all this went into the making of a shoe?
Linking up with
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Visible Monday
Shelbee's
On the Edge of the Week
Catherine's
#SaturdayShareLinkup
Rena's
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Cherie's
Shoe and Tell