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Making Your Own Shoes

These steps will show you how to make your own shoes which will have the advantage of being a perfect size for you. And what an achievement to be able to say you made them yourself!

Shoe hunting in the shops is great fun, but how about shoemaking? If you are creative soul, you will most likely enjoy the challenge of making a unique piece of footwear. The instruments and tools you will need for a basic pair of shoes are readily available. And handmade shoes have the additional benefit of being modified for an ideal fit. Attempt to make your own shoes by following this guide for foot fashions.

When it comes to shoe design you have to make some decisions. You need to know what you want the finished product will look like. So you have to have a plan to follow. Take a couple of minutes to draw your design ideas for the shoe. Think of the general form of the shoe as well as the types of fabrics and materials you will use to make it.

1. Begin on the sole. The sole needs to be made out of stuff like leather or rubber. Why not use the soles from an old pair of shoes. Get a shoe in your size and draw around the sole, remembering to cut out two soles, one for the left foot and a reversed one for the right foot. Otherwise, look in an op shop for an old pair and take the soles from those.

2. Make the "upper" of the shoe. Here comes the part where you have a bit of leeway. It just needs your decision of the kind of shoe you want. Do you want a boot, sandal, or runner? Mostly a mould called a shoe "last" is used. Expand the last to the required size of the shoe you want. Cover with material or plastic and tie it tightly over the "last" so it does won't move. Then cover over in tape using little strips as you go until you have covered the whole thing at least twice over in tape. When this is done, run a sharp Knife or safety blade along the bottom of the last remove the masking tape pattern. Snip the pattern down the center (front and back) so the pattern lies flat. That is your shoe template completed!

3. Now get leather, material or canvas and cut out 2 patterns using your masking tape template. Don't forget to turn the template over so that you get a right foot and a left foot template.

4. Now adhere the shoe upper to the sole using any kind of shoe cement (alternatively shoe nails or shoe staples.)

5. Put in insoles. Your new shoes will need insoles. This is easiest addressed by getting some from a shoe store. They will be the most comfortable. Stick them to the inside sole of the shoe with a proper shoe cement - crazy glue won't work.

6. Make eyelets for the shoelaces. If you are having shoelaces, just snip cut down the front middle of the shoe. With a hole puncher, cut out six or seven holes on each side of the flaps you have just created. Ensure they are well aligned. Thread in some shoelaces and your job is done! You've just learned how to make your own shoes!

About the Author

Tiffany Provost writes about
crafts
and
hobbies tips
for HowToDoThings.com.

Cheaney Knife Making 2 of 3 - The Art of and How to Make Handmade Knives