Intensive Shoemaking Course - Days 9 and 10

Day 9 saw us building heels. This is quite a technical phase of shoemaking and requires juggling a lot of things all at once. It is essential the heels are well built, even and the same height. Otherwise, they can cause bio-mechanical problems for the wearer.

We build the heels lift by lift, starting with the split lift or rand; followed by two lifts; and finally the top piece which has a quarter rubber incorporated into it.

Here are a few shots of the students in action

Cutting The Heel Breast

Checking They Are A Pair

Marking Where To Put The Nails In

Skiving The First Heel Lift

The end of the day saw everybody's heels built and the finishing process started. The shoes are functionally sound at this point, and the rest of our time will be spent making them look lovely.

Here are a couple of shots of the rasping process.

Hope this whets your appetite to make shoes. And where better place to start than with carréducker on one of our intensive courses. The next one is in May in New York

Until next time, happy shoemaking!