Shoes and Craft

Yes, it is right. It will be held in Savannah, Georgia in two, following weekend:

February 5-6-7 and

February 12-13-14

The two days program will cover:

1. design
2. pattern making
3. clicking
4. upper-sewing
5. lasting and
6. finishing

With a lot of hands-on and yes, you will walk away with your very own high heel. All the participants will receive the next DVD “High Heel Making – Shoemaking #3”. All the materials and tools will be provided and we will also give you a chance to purchase tools and additional materials so you can continue practicing.

We have very limited seats and it usually fills up pretty fast – but if you intend to come, send us a mail, so we can send you a registration sheet and details.

The participation fee:

First weekend (design and pattern): 650 USD

Second weekend (prototyping-making): 950 USD

Both weekends: 1500 USD

Please send your inquires: info@shoemakingcourse.com

I have not posted for a while. The reason is quite simple: time. I am not gonna get into explanations, on the other hand here is a few moment from my professional life – pretty much what keeps me busy nowadays.

Bespoke work. I have a shamefully long waiting list, so until I complete an acceptable amount I just don’t take orders.

Demo patterns for … let’s just say “something”. Really cool I promise – you will hear more about it, soon.

And of course classroom demos. What should I say, I love red. I think people should wear more of this.

As I slowly pack my workshop in Hungary, some treasures just pop up and gets my attention – probably a bit more often, then I would like to admit. Anyway, this are two awl blades. The left one is already smaller than the regular one, what you can easily use for a regular sole stitch – up to 10 spi. This is actually is a bit more than many “handmade” shoes can claim. Not if it does matter – it is not weaker or uglier. It is just the number, which can indicate the maker’s skills, so it more matters to the maker.

The right one although is way more interesting. That is the same shape, pretty much for the same job. The only, big difference is its size. So, what is the big deal about it, right?

Let me show it. The thread beside it is a sole stitching one….noooot. It is a thicker upper sewing thread. We make decoration stitches with it. As you can see its thickness is considerably close to the awl. Of course we use a different thread for sole stitches, although it is a great comparison. Long story short: this is a tiny-tiny awl. A little bit longer story: there are smaller ones.

 There is something about baby shoes, maybe their size, maybe the story behind, which makes them so adorable. My little son turns one year old soon, so it is time to make him a shoe/memory. A goiser shoes. Not many like this are made nowadays. 

First step – pattern making. It was not a super difficult pattern, although I had to pay attention that it has to fit under the sewing machine at every seam.

The pattern is fine, now let’s make a shoe out of this!

Preparation – pretty much the same, than any other goiser. Surprisingly the materials are the same too. Toddlers do not need flexible soles yet, they need more support and protection.

Lasting, done. So far so good. Not even complicated, except giving support to the last. More painful than I thought.

Welting in progress. It seems easy although it is not. Because of its size, the handling was way too difficult at certain points.

Sole stitching in progress.

Finishing touches – sockliner, with a Koronya logo of course.

And the ready made product.

And on the happy owner with some personal message on the sole, what he might read in decades. 

Long story short – as this customer doesn’t need a long introduction –  a new pair, made with hundreds of krystals and care. The design, material choice was 100% my decision. Some might say that it is not my style – which seems like a good assumption as I am a traditional maker, although the customer’s style matter. Here it is: Miss J. Alexander’s new shoes!
photo:  Kyle Adams

and finally a video – how he presented it on the stage:

https://instagram.com/p/2cD-CfKIh4/