This tutorial will show you how to make 4 different basic stitches by hand. They can be used as decorative elements as well as for constructing your item.

This is where we begin during our hands-on workshops. Learning to sew by hand is a very important skill to develop whether you are making shoes, boots, bags or accessories.

Included are several different patterns for basic items to get started.

It is important to be able to make your own heel wedges & platforms for certain shoe styles. They will fit the heel height of your shoe lasts correctly. Pre-made wedges and heels are not commonly available.

The wedge platforms can be left plain or wrapped with the fabric or leather of your choice to create unusual one-of-a-kind styles.

These wedge platforms are made by cementing build up materials together and then sanding them to the desired shapes.

A Lasting Jack is another one of those important tools for ease and convenience when lasting and working on the bottom of shoes/boots.

Some people prefer to sit, others would rather stand to do this work, its a matter of personal preference.

These plans show you how to construct your own Lasting Jack for standing. To make one for sitting simply make the pieces shorter.

Organizing and managing your shoe last collections in size runs and widths can be quite a chore once you have several different sets.

This rolling storage rack can easily hold about 40 pairs of lasts for convenient access and storage.

You can take this parts list to your local lumber yard and pay them a few extra dollars to make all the cuts for you. Then take the pre-cut pieces home and assemble them, put the casters on the bottom and your done. Get Organized!

When taking a fitting or measuring the feet of a client, it helps to have them sitting on a platform that allows the Craftsman to control the situation and work comfortably, while sitting on a stool.

This fitting workstation is designed to fold into its own shell for maximum portability. Easy to store when not in use and convenient to set up in your shop or at a retail venue or trade show.

You can modify a standard Hydraulic Arbor Press from most any automotive supply or tool supply catalog, and turn it into a Clicker Press for cutting with Steel Rule Dies.

A standard Arbor Press uses a simple hydraulic car jack for steady pressure to the top and bottom beams. It is a simple modification to have two steel plates welded to the cross beams of the arbor press to create a larger working surface.

Perfect entry level cutting machine for the Craftsman with a small space and a limited budget. This machine will make it easy to cut leather soles, insoles, uppers....

An essential machine for attaching women's high heels is a Heel Wheel or a Heel Press.

It is very important to carefully squeeze the attaching nails into the heel block to prevent cracking.

This small press does an amazing job of attaching all different types and sizes of heels. It was designed and built by Pilgrim Shoe Machine in Boston. They are no longer being made, however they do come up for sale occasionally.

Check Out the ShoeSchool Channel on YouTube for Educational, and Entertaining videos produced by ShoeSchool.

We also feature other interesting videos related to hand crafting footwear around the world, and featured works of other artists...

• Shoe School Videos
• Shoemaking Around the World
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