This practical short course offers an introduction to three variations of the handsewn shoemaking technique of hand welting - Regular, Norwegian and Storm welting

Working only on the forepart of a last, students learn to:

• Sharpen and use a shoemaker's knife
• Trim the forepart of an insole
• Make a holdfast
• Skive a toe puff
• Last lining and upper leather
• Prepare a regular and storm welt / prepare a Norwegian welt and attach a midsole
• Make a welting thread by hand
• Use a welting awl
• Sew a welt.

The course aims to equip students with the practical knowledge needed to continue to practise and become proficient in these handsewn techniques, whilst minimising waste by using offcuts of leather and only working on the forepart of the last .

TIME

10am – 5pm over three days, any week day by arrangement

GROUP SIZE

Up to 6 students so there is plenty of individual guidance and advice

LOCATION

Studio 1.20, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH (Nearest London underground and National Rail stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East, Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge and Southwark)

MATERIALS

All materials included in your course fee including detailed course notes.

NEXT STEPS

Book now and then email us to schedule your course. The three days do not need to be taken consecutively if that is more convenient.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoemaking : 3-DAY Welt Stitching Techniques appeared first on Carreducker.

Working on our 0743 last, (or your own last by arrangement), you'll learn the techniques and essential measurements to transform your designs into patterns.

COURSE CONTENT

Under the careful guidance of expert practitioner Fiona Campbell you will learn how to:

• Tape up a last
• Measure and mark the key design points onto the last
• Cut the sections off from the last
• Make a standard from the taped last
• Make an Oxford pattern and a Derby pattern from the Standard.

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 3 students

LOCATION

Balham, London (accessible via London Underground - Travelcard Zone3 - and National Rail to London Victoria and London Bridge)

TIME

The Pattern Making Course can be run as a one-to-one course arranged at a time to suit or it can be taken as part of the Carreducker Handsewn Shoe Making Summer School, (alongside a 3-day Upper Closing Course and 12-Day Handsewn Shoe Making Course  so that you can learn all aspects of shoe making).

MATERIALS

All materials included.

FEE

£1199 (less 10% for Carreducker alumni)

BOOKING

Book now and email us to arrange a time to come in to try on a sample pair of shoes to confirm your last size or use your own lasts to make patterns on.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoe Pattern Making Course – Oxford & Derby appeared first on Carreducker.

COURSE CONTENTS

Through trial and demonstration you will be shown just how much preperation goes into making a pair of shoe uppers by hand.

You will be shown how to

• cut out the pattern pieces
• how to hand skive the edges
• how to stitch a seam and an edge
• different edge finishes
• how to use an industrial post machine and a flatbed machine

There will be some time to practice techniques before you put the techniques into practice to make one single Derby shoe upper.

You can bring your own Derby upper pattern or we will provide a pattern for you.

TIMING

(The Closing Course follows on from the 3-day Pattern Making Course and precedes the 12-Day Handsewn Shoe Making Course if you're interested in all aspects of shoe making

Monday - Wednesday

GROUP SIZE

Maximum students: 3

LOCATION

Balham, London (accessible via London Underground – Travelcard Zone3 – and National Rail to London Victoria and London Bridge)

MATERIALS

All materials included

FEE

£1259 (less 10% if you are a Carreducker alumni)

BOOKING

Book now and email us to arrange a time to come in to try on a sample pair of shoes to confirm your size.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoe Making – Learn the fundamentals of Upper Closing appeared first on Carreducker.

COURSE CONTENT

Over 18 intensive days you will learn the core disciplines of handsewn shoe making in three modules - pattern making, closing techniques and making the shoes.

Pattern Making Module: You will make a Derby and Oxford pattern from one last

Intro. to Closing Module: You will have an introduction to stitching on a post bed and a flat bed industrial sewing machine; learn the fundamentals of hand skiving, edge finishes and how to layer the lining and upper pieces; and put your learning into practice to make a single Derby upper

Handsewn Shoe Making Module: You will make a pair of handsewn Derby shoes starting with a pair of uppers, lasts and a pack of leather. We'll guide you, through trial and demonstration, as you discover the techniques of one of the most challenging and rewarding crafts over an intensive 12 days

DATES & LOCATIONS

We can tailor a programme to suit you. Please email us with your goals, dates and availability and we will draw up a plan to suit you.

12 days Shoemaking Module: 9.30am - 5.30pm at the Carreducker Studio, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1

3 days Pattern Making Module: 10am - 5pm at the Fiona Campbell Studio, Balham, London SW17

3 days Introduction to Closing Module: 10am - 5pm at the Fiona Campbell Studio, Balham, London SW17

3-Day Bespoke Shoe Pattern Making Module

Over three days you will learn the technical discipline of pattern making, transforming a shoe design into a pattern.

Working on our lasts, (or your own last by arrangement), you’ll learn the techniques and essential measurements to transform your designs into patterns.

Under the careful guidance of expert practitioner Fiona Campbell you will learn how to:

• Tape up a last
• Measure and mark the key design points onto the last
• Cut the sections off from the last
• Make a standard from the taped last
• Make a simple Oxford pattern and a Derby pattern from the Standard.

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 3 students

TIME

10 - 5pm

LOCATION

Balham, London SW17 (accessible via London Underground – Travelcard Zone3 – and National Rail to London Victoria and London Bridge)

3-Day Shoe Uppers Closing Techniques Module

Starting with your Derby shoe pattern, Fiona will show you how a shoe upper is cut out (clicked), prepared and stitched together.

You will learn the techniques used to hand skive, to prepare seams and to create different edge finishes. You will have the opportunity to use industrial flatbed and post machines, to practice techniques, and to learn how the lining and upper pieces go together as you make a single Derby shoe upper lined with natural russet leather.

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 3 students

TIME

10 - 5PM

LOCATION

Balham, London SW17 (accessible via London Underground – Travelcard Zone3 – and National Rail to London Victoria and London Bridge)

12-Day Handsewn Shoe Making Module

Starting with a pair of lasts, Derby shoe uppers and making leather, during some 96 hours of training time, we will guide you through the 200+ steps in the traditional English handsewn shoe making process including:

Hand lasting - pulling the upper over the last (the foot mould shape) and nailing it in place
Hand welting - stitching the strip of welt leather to the shoe
Soling - attaching the shank, filler and leather sole; stitching the sole to the welt
Heel building - building heels from leather, layer by layer
Finishing - rasping, glassing & sanding; polishing or dying and waxing

At the end of the course you will proudly walk away with a pair of shoes that you have made.

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 3 students

TIME

9.30 - 5.30pm with Sundays off

LOCATION

Carreducker, Unit 1.20, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1

MATERIALS

All materials included; shoe trees available to order separately. The cost of the course includes all the materials that you need, including a pair of uppers, pack of Bakers of Colyton oak bark leather to work with, a set of course notes and a starter pack of shoe making tools for the shoemaking course.

FEE

18-day Foundation Course £4495

BOOKING

When you book, you will be asked to choose what size and colour shoes you would like to make in the shoemaking module. Please make your selection and then email us to arrange a time to come in to try on a sample pair of shoes or to request instructions for on how to measure your feet, to confirm the best last size for you.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Foundation Course – Pattern Making, Closing & Shoemaking appeared first on Carreducker.

CLASS CONTENT

The morning will be spent designing on paper. Through presentation, demonstration and guidance, we will show you how to:

Identify a well fitting shoe

What good proportions look like

The dos and donts of shoe design

How to sketch a shoe design

The afternoon session will be spent drawing your chosen design onto the 0743 shoe last - well proportioned with an elongated, soft egg shaped toe and 1 1/8" heel height. We'll guide you through the design process yourself... advising on construction, material and detail considerations as we go. We'll show you:

How to tape up a last

How to transfer your sketch onto the last

Material and detail considerations

At the end of the session you will leave with a sketchbook of ideas and you could also see your design made up into a pair of leather heeled and soled shoes - £450.

GROUP SIZE

Up to 4 students so there is plenty of one-to-one guidance

TIME

Tuesdays,  11am - 4pm with a one hour lunch break

LOCATION

Studio 1.20, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH (Nearest London underground and National Rail stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East, Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge and Southwark)

MATERIALS

All design materials are provided.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoemaking: Shoe Design Course appeared first on Carreducker.

COURSE CONTENTS

Through demonstration and guidance we will guide you through:

Preparing your insole

Lasting your uppers

Stitching on the foxing (the strip that sits around the trainer / sneaker) using Storm welted construction

Cutting EVA foam to fit

We will then send off your shoes to be finished with a lightweight, flexible micro sole.

We will lace and sock them before arranging for you to collect them / to ship them to you.

GROUP SIZE

Up to 4 students so there is plenty of time for individual guidance and advice

TIME

The course can be taken as 4 days in a row, as an evening class or on an ad-hoc basis by arrangement (please allow six weeks before your preferred date)

LOCATION

Studio 1.20, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH (Nearest London underground and National Rail stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East, Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge and Southwark)

MATERIALS

All of the materials needed to make the trainers are provided

There's a choice of upper colours

The foxing is a natural leather colour, made from oak bark tanned welting and stitched with natural coloured thread; the eyelets are antique bronze; the lining is natural, veg. tanned leather

You will be given a comprehensive set of course notes to keep

Kits and additional tools and materials are available to buy from the Supplies Shop at Carreducker

FEE

The fee for the 4-day course is £1175

NEXT STEPS

Please book the course and then get in touch with us to arrange to come in to check your sneaker size and to arrange a start date.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Make Your Own Sneakers Course appeared first on Carreducker.

Immerse yourself in shoemaking tradition, as you learn to make your own shoes using heritage tools and techniques, working alongside us in our workshop. During some 96 hours of training time, we will guide you through the 200+ steps in the English handsewn shoe making process.

The course is designed for complete beginners and includes all the materials that you need, including a pack of Bakers of Colyton oak bark leather, a comprehensive set of shoe making notes and a starter pack of tools. You can also choose to have a pair of personalised, wooden shoe trees made to fit your shoes.

At the end of the course you will proudly walk away with a pair of shoes that you have made yourself!

TIME

10am – 5pm any week day or Saturday by arrangement (please allow six weeks before your preferred date)

GROUP SIZE

Up to 6 students so there is plenty of individual guidance and advice

LOCATION

Studio 1.20, Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH (Nearest London underground and National Rail stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East, Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge and Southwark)

MATERIALS

All materials included in your course fee including detailed course notes and a starter tool kit.

NEXT STEPS

Shoe size: Make an appointment to come into the workshop to try on a pair of sample shoes to confirm your size or send us your foot drawings / measurements.

Shoe style: Then choose the style that you would like to make, choosing from a Derby, Oxford or Wholecut shoe or a Derby boot

[caption id="attachment_19159" align="alignnone" width="227"] Plain Derby shoes[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_19190" align="alignnone" width="229"] Derby shoes with straight toecap[/caption]

Wholecut shoes

[caption id="attachment_19179" align="alignnone" width="237"] Oxford shoes[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_19172" align="alignnone" width="235"] Brogued Oxford shoes with toecap[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_17431" align="alignnone" width="251"] Derby boots with toecap[/caption]

Shoe colour: Choose from our core leather colours including black, dark brown, tan, marmalade, burgundy etc.

Or a colour of your choice (please add £30 for each extra colour)

Details: Choose your shoe details

[caption id="attachment_6573" align="alignnone" width="154"] Heel counter[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6571" align="alignnone" width="154"] Heel tab[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5250" align="alignnone" width="148"] Black or antique brass metal eyelets[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5248" align="alignnone" width="143"] Blind eyelets[/caption]

FEE

From £2395 / From £2465 with shoe trees

NEXT STEPS

Book now, choosing your style, colour, size and details and then email us to arrange a time to come in to try on a sample pair of shoes to confirm your size and details and to discuss a schedule that suits you.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoe Making : 12-Day Handsewn Course appeared first on Carreducker.

Duration and hours: 2 days 10am - 4.30pm

Maximum 4 students

Book: Email us to arrange a date

Location: SW London

Introduction

This intensive two-day course will give you an understanding of the essential practical skills needed to make a Derby and a Brogue pattern, laying a solid foundation for future pattern-making.

Learning from a bespoke professional is an invaluable opportunity, as a well-fitting pattern is crucial to achieving the perfect shoe fit—something that can't be overstated in the world of high-quality footwear.

The Derby is a wardrobe staple and the foundation for many popular shoe and boot style, making this course an essential step for anyone looking to master timeless footwear patterns.

Course description

Working on the last, you will make a full set of patterns (including linings) for a Derby and Brogue.

Expertise

The class is taught by industry expert Fiona Campbell, MA who teaches the professional pattern maker's techniques through demonstration, trial and guidance including:

Learn to tape the last

Mark the guide points

Draw on the shoe design

Take off the inside and outside forme

Make the standard

Use the standard to make the pattern pieces for a simple Derby shoe

Materials

All materials provided

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoe Pattern Making Course – Derby & Brogue appeared first on Carreducker.

Duration and hours: 2 days 10am - 4.30pm

Maximum 4 students

Book: Email us to arrange a date

Location: SW London

Introduction

This intensive two-day course will give you an understanding of the essential practical skills needed to make an Oxford and a Brogue pattern, laying a solid foundation for future pattern-making.

Learning from a bespoke professional is an invaluable opportunity, as a well-fitting pattern is crucial to achieving the perfect shoe fit—something that can't be overstated in the world of high-quality footwear.

The Oxford is a wardrobe staple and the foundation for many popular shoe and boot style, making this course an essential step for anyone looking to master timeless footwear patterns.

Course description

Working on the last, you will make a full set of patterns (including linings) for an Oxford and Brogue.

Expertise

The class is taught by industry expert Fiona Campbell, MA who teaches the professional pattern maker's techniques through demonstration, trial and guidance including:

Learn to tape the last

Mark the guide points

Draw on the shoe design

Take off the inside and outside forme

Make the standard

Use the standard to make Oxford and Brogue pattern pieces

Materials

All materials provided

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoe Pattern Making Course – Oxford & Brogue appeared first on Carreducker.

The Derby is a wardrobe essential and the basis for so many popular shoe and boot designs. This two-parter of videos + course will equip you with the skills and techniques to transform your Derby shoe and boot designs into well-fitting patterns.

The videos will give you the essential skills to create a Derby shoe pattern, which you will then have the chance to embed on the two-day boot pattern making class, working under expert guidance.

Expertise

The pattern making courses and the shoe making videos are lead by expert practitioner Fiona Campbell, MA sharing her decades of industry experience and the specialist tools and techniques that she uses to make bespoke shoe and boot patterns.

Derby Shoe Pattern Making Videos

The three videos in the Derby shoe pattern making series walk you at a gentle pace through the details of:

Module 1: Taping the last, marking the guide points and drawing on the design; duration: 37 minutes

Module 2: Taking the design from the last and making the standard; duration: 13 mins

Module 3: Making the pattern pieces from the standard; duration 18 mins

(Please email school@carreducker.com after you have checked out to receive the video downloads)

The aim is that you watch and p[ractice pattern making from the videos before joining Fiona for the face-to-face class, so that you can familiarise yourself with the practice.

Derby Boot Pattern Making Class

Following on from the video series this two-day in-person class will enhance the practical skills that you have learned from the videos as you make a Derby boot pattern, providing a strong foundation for future pattern making. Well-fitting patterns are essential for a good fit, so the opportunity to pick up tips and techniques from a bespoke professional are invaluable. Through demonstration and guidance, you will tape the last, draw on the boot design, make the boot standard and make the pattern pieces for a Derby boot.

Tailored tuition

• The class times are flexible, delivered over two full days from 10am - 4.15pm
• Located in SW London

Materials

All materials provided

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Shoe Pattern Making Course & Video – Derby & Derby Boot appeared first on Carreducker.