The process of shoemaking

Alja Novak Viryent The process of making shoes by handCustom shoemaking means that footwear of whatever type, be it shoes, boots, or sandals, is made from scratch. That is, taking foot measurements, drawing up the patterns, and making the footwear using materials that you have agreed upon with the customer. In the following lines you can find out more about our process of making shoes by hand.

Foot measurement

While the customer stands on a sheet of paper with feet hip-width apart a contour
of his or her feet is outlined with a pencil held at an angle of 90°. If desired, some
points on the contour are marked. Measurements of the volume of the legs are
taken: circumferences of the customer’s toes, instep, heels, ankles, calves and
circumferences below the knee and at the height of the toes, instep, folds and calves.

Before the shoemaking process begins:

  • cardboard for templates is cut;
  • skins are cut with a shoemaker’s knife
    (uppers, lining, footbed and leather soles);
  • the edges of the uppers are thinned out;
  • adhesive is spread on the lining that is stuck to the uppers;
  • uppers are sewed on the lining (canting).

Suitable lasts are chosen before the shoe can be made. Wooden lasts are the usual choice for handmade shoes, while lasts for mass-produced shoes are made of plastic.

Making shoes by hand:

  • footbeds are inserted;
  • the sole edges are painted.