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 bespoke 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

2026 DATES & LOCATIONS

Shoemaking Module - 12 days: 22 - 25 July, 27 July - 1 August, 3rd & 4th August (with Sundays off; 26 July and 2 August) at Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1

Pattern Making Module - 3 days: 5 - 7 August at Balham, London SW17

Intro. to Closing Module - 3 days:  10 - 12 August at 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 2 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 2 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.

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 pack of Bakers of Colyton oak bark leather to work with, a set of notes and a starter pack of shoe making tools.

FEE

18-day Summer School £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 2026 Shoe Making Summer School – Pattern Making, Closing & Shoe Making appeared first on Carreducker.

Gift a leather workshop to make a beautiful leather accessory from sustainably sourced Italian leather.

The classes are a fun, informative introduction to leather craft for small groups of up to 6 students and are designed for beginners.

The gift voucher is printed on heavy white card with a matching envelope, to give a luxurious feel when it is opened on the special day. We will send the gift card either to you or directly to the lucky recipient along with a note from you. (Please add your wording in the Notes at checkout).

All the lucky recipient has to do is to contact us to arrange a date and time to take their class.

Date & Time:

Classes are by arrangement on Saturday afternoons 2 - 4pm or during the week

Location:

Carreducker, Unit 1.20, The Courtyard, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London SE1 9PH

Design:

The leather accessories are designed to show off  the beauty of Italian veg. tanned leather, complemented with simple, quality hardware. A choice of leather colours will be available on the day and may include Brown, Tan, Black, Green, Orange, Mustard or Yellow

Materials

All materials are provided.

Our ethos:

To work with the best materials and create products that last:

Tactile, durable and supple chrome-free, vegetable tanned leather from Tuscany.  Vegetable tanned leather is a natural, organical material; the tone and depth of colour of the leather varies and changes with use and age, developing a beautiful patina over time.

(Leather is a waste material and by-product that would otherwise go to landfill or be incinerated).

Solid brass / nickel hardware from Italy and England

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Leather Workshop Gift Voucher appeared first on Carreducker.

It's a fun and informative hands-on class to experience making with with sustainably sourced, vegetable tanned leather from Italy.

Why not make key fobs as a gift for friends or family or invite them along to do the class with you?

Date & Time:

Two hours - by arrangement during the week or on Saturday afternoons

Please contact us to book a date.

Location:

Carreducker, Unit 1.20, The Courtyard, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London SE1 9PH

Design:

The key fob has a simple leather strap, fastened with a screw rivet. It is fitted with solid, Italian hardware - a clam clasp at one end and a key ring at the other.

The choice of leather colours available will vary, but may include Brown, Tan, Black, Blue, Yellow, Orange or Purple

Class Description:

Through guidance and demonstration we will show you how to:

Personalise your key fob with a name or initials

Burnish the the edges of the leather

Polish and heat crease the strap edges

Fit the screw rivet and hardware

Materials

All materials are provided. The fob straps are offcuts from our workshop, so you'll also be helping us to reduce waste.

Our ethos:

To work with the best materials and create products that last:

Tactile, durable and supple chrome-free, veg. tanned leather from Tuscany.  Vegetable tanned leather is a natural, organical material; the tone and depth of colour of the leather varies and changes with use and age, developing a beautiful patina over time.

Leather is a waste material and by-product from the meat and dairy industry that would otherwise go to landfill or be incinerated.

Solid brass / nickel hardware from Italy and England

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Group Class appeared first on Carreducker.

Gift a 10-week term of classes to learn traditional, heritage, shoemaking techniques. The class is suited to beginners, and students work at their own pace, under the careful guidance of master shoemakers and experienced teachers either one evening a week or on a Saturday morning or afternoon.

CLASSES

Maximum of six students, so there is plenty of individual attention

Designed for complete beginners

In terms of 10 weeks

Please note that it usually takes three terms to make a pair of leather-soled shoes from start to finish, so this voucher is to start the lucky recipient on their shoe-making journey.

TERMS

Spring: January - March

Summer:  April - June

Autumn: September - December

[caption id="attachment_15821" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Here's some of our wonderful students and their shoes.[/caption]

NEXT STEPS

The gift card is A6 with space left to personalise it. It is printed on heavy white card with a matching envelope, to give a luxurious feel when it is opened on the special day. We will send the gift card either to you or directly to the lucky recipient along with a note from you. (Please add your wording in the Notes at Checkout.)

The lucky recipient should contact us to arrange to come in to OXO Tower Wharf to try on a shoe sample for size, to choose a shoe style, a leather colour and details. (The cost of the first pair of shoe uppers is included in the first term fee and all the materials needed to make the shoes are provided.)  Students can start their 10-week term at any time, if we have a place available.

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Part Time Shoe Making Class Gift Voucher appeared first on Carreducker.

CONTENTS

Set of capital letters 6mm high + numbers 0 - 9

Acrylic double-headed hammer

The Alphabet Stamp set of letters and number is a great way to personalise your work. But you can also get creative with the set to make shapes, symbols and creatures; upside down Vs make great animal ears, a horizontal zero makes a nose and I's make good whiskers.

The hammer has special acrylic heads so that it doesn't damage the end of your stamping post.

Here's a few tips to help you to get stamping:

• The letters simply clip onto the end of the post
• Hold the post upright and push it down firmly onto the surface before you strike it with the hammer
• Keep focused on the end of the post where you want to hit it
• It's better to strike once hard than lots of gentle taps
• To avoid wasting your leather and making a mistake on your finished work, why not practice your stamping first on a thick piece of cardboard?
• Use a piece of masking tape to space out your letters evenly
• It's worth noting that simple letters like 'J' and I' need a more gentle hit than complex letters like 'B' and 'M'

How lovely to make something yourself and to then give it a personal touch. Combine it with our Make Me Keyring Kit and you're all set for some fun making!

All of our kits and courses make great gifts!

See our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Make Me: Leather Stamp Kit 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 Shoe Making: Shoe Design Course appeared first on Carreducker.

Classes are for individuals or small groups, so there is plenty of time for personal guidance, advice and instruction.

It's a fun, informative class and you'll feel proud of your work at the end. You're making a modern day heirloom from supple, sustainable leather, which is a by-product from the meat and dairy industry.

Why not make an accessory for friends or family as a gift or invite them along to do a class with you?

Date & Time:

By arrangement during the week or on Saturday afternoons

Two hours approx.

Please contact us to book a date.

Location:

Carreducker, Unit 1.20, The Courtyard, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London SE1 9PH

Design:

We have designed these accessories to showcase the beauty of the Italian vegetable tanned leather they are crafted from, with contrast rows of saddle stitch and simple, quality hardware. There shape and purpose is acrefully considered: the pen case is big enough to fit one large fountain pen, two smaller pens or three slim pencils; the sunglasses case is roomy for larger framed sunglasses, the secateurs case is designed to fit most standard secateurs, the card case will take up to six cards and the key fob is sturdy enough to handle a bunch of keys.

The choice of leather colours available will vary, but may include Brown, Tan, Black, Blue, Mustard or Purple

Class Description:

Working with hand tools, we will show you how to:

Personalise your chosen accessory with up to 3 initials

Burnish the edges of the leather

Fit the hardware (where relevant)

Glue the sections together

Punch the stitch holes

Saddle stitch the edges

Polish and finish the edges

Materials

All materials are provided.

To bring with you:

Please wear trousers/jeans, comfortable work clothes and covered footwear

Please bring your glasses if you need them for close up work

Our ethos:

To work with the best materials and create products that last.

Our leather is chosen for its tactile, durable and supple qualities.  The vegetable tanned lerather comes from Tuscany and the oak bark leather from England.

Vegetable tanned leather is tanned using natural, organical material such as oak bark, mimosa and chestnut; the tone and depth of colour of the leather varies and changes with use and age, developing a beautiful patina over time.

The leather we work with is a by-product of the meat and dairy industry and would otherwise go to landfill or be incinerated.

Our hardware is solid brass / nickel,  sourced from Italy and England

Short course refunds and cancellations:

We try to be flexible when it comes to bookings, we know that life can sometimes get in the way of the best laid plans.

Re-scheduling: If you're unable to attend a course due to illess, personal or professional commitments please let us know as soon as possible by telephone AND email and we will re-schedule your class or course to a later date. Changes to bookings must be made by telephoning the emergency mobile number supplied AND in writing via email to cd@carreducker.com ideally with at least 24 hours notice.

Cancellations: Cancellations are permitted up to two weeks before the course. Cancellations after that time will result in a £35 cancellation fee.

We try to avoid cancelling ourselves, but reserve the right to where it is unavoidable. In this situation, we will either give a full refund or reschedule the class.

Find our full Terms & Conditions here.

The post Short Course – Make a Vegetable Tanned Leather Accessory 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.