Shoemaking - Evening Class, London, UK

Duration: 25 hrs
Class times: 6.30pm - 9pm
Course tutor: Morven Mulgrew, Caterina Belluardo

Currently scheduled courses:

8 September - 17 November 2011 (term break 20 October)
12 January - 22 March 2012 (term break 16 February)
10 May - 19 July 2012 (term break 14 June)

This class is ideal for anyone looking to pursue an interest in shoemaking over a longer period of time, either as a hobby or a career choice. It is aimed at both beginners and improvers looking to learn shoemaking techniques and wanting to develop skills during short, regular sessions. Every session lasts 2.5 hours, from 18:30 to 21:00 on Thursday evenings, over a period of 10 weeks (pluse a term break).

Course Outline:

Week 1: Materials and Design. Brief identification and understanding of the material types and end uses of leather for upper and lining, insoles, seat pads, shankboards, shanks, socks, toe puffs, stiffeners, fastening systems, zips, touch and close, laces, etc. Start working from the last. The emphasis is on construction but, depending on individual ability and skill level, it may be possible for students to interpret their own design ideas. The tutor will discuss this with each student on week 1 and 2. The students can choose their own materials and, because of the long timeline of the evening class, they have much more time to research through leather or fabric merchants than in the 5-day intensive course.

Week 2, 3, and 4: Pattern Cutting. Understanding the pattern cutting process for a full pair of ladies shoes, including: cover the last, flatten shell, pattern cutting, mean form, allowances.

Week 5, 6, and 7: Closing. Prepare the shoe upper, including cutting pattern pieces and stitching the lining and upper pieces together. Machinery used.

Week 8, 9 and 10: Making the Shoe. Basic understanding of the whole shoemaking process. The handmade process from lasting to making and finishing. Machinery used.

Learning Outcome:

Students will be able to identify the main materials and components used for shoemaking, demonstrate an understanding of the whole shoemaking process. The objective is to complete a pair in the 10 sessions but there is a chance that the shoes are not completed due to the complexity of the design and student's attendance. However, projects can be continued over to the next term of evening classes if not completed. To gain a more advanced understanding of pattern cutting and shoemaking techniques, it is recommended taking terms of evening classes on an on-going basis.

This course is arranged in terms, which students can book on an individual basis.

A choice of ladies lasts in standard sizes (British 2 to 11, European 35 to 45, American 4.5 to 13.5) will be available to use during the workshop sessions subject to availability.

The price includes specialist shoe components.

Things you need to bring with you:

Material that you wish to use for your shoe uppers, either a lightweight leather skin such as pig, calf (at least 1/2 X 1/2 square metres) or goat (one whole skin), or 1/2 metre of fabric which should not be too stiff or transparent. Please click the Useful Links to view the supplier list about where to source leather or fabric
Sharp fabric scissors
Notebook and pen
Any trimmings you wish to use i.e. ribbon or feathers

No previous experience necessary. Maximum 8 students

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