Make Your Own Shoes? It IS Possible.

Mary Wales Loomis makes her own shoes- at times in the same prints as her dresses! And you know what? You can to. How? Mary wrote a step-by-step book which is in it’s 4th revision, on how to make your own shoes from SCRATCH. Applause!

I am completely obsessed with the shoes Georgina Goodman designed for the Erdem A/W2009 collection (pictured top left & right). It is a good thing I cannot find them for sale anywhere because they make have broken the bank. I wanted to do a posting simply featuring beautiful fabric-covered, painted or hand-made shoes but then I stumbled upon one of sweetest books I have ever seen and had to tell you about it. It’s not that the website itself is especially interesting, but the story behind it is, and you can order Mary’s book to try out your skill in shoe-making. I am definitely asking Santa Claus to bring me a copy, can you imagine making shoes to match your wardrobe? …..dreamy. If you are really into these hand-made gems, check out Osborn Shoes, which are hand-crafted in Guatemala City and lovely- they are the Aztec and plaid printed kicks pictured above.

Now we want to know: has anybody made their own shoes?

Nov 5, 2009, 02.30 PMby corra

I have that book! it’s pretty cool, I have been dying to try it out but the glue you have to special order, but I have made casts of my feet and bought all my supplies! I will hopefully get to it soon!

Nov 5, 2009, 05.28 PMby themadbalmer

I have this book. I actually made a pair a few years ago in high school. It was very interesting, a lot of work, but so cool! They ended up being in a student exhibition at a local art gallery. People couldn’t believe that someone could just make shoes! I really need to look into getting into this again, thanks for reminding me what an awesome book this is!

1 Reply

Nov 6, 2009, 04.16 PMby alisondahl

My goodness! Fellow shoe mavens, I am so excited to hear that you’ve got the book & have tried it! I figured it would be a lot of work but I am going to try to set aside some time this winter and get into it.

Nov 6, 2009, 04.59 PMby Ichigogirl

Oh…. that was inspiring! I’d LOVE to be able to make my own shoes… the only problem is that for the last I’d like to use some really really expensive ones (to get the perfect fit, the expensive ones are always the most comfortable) and I’m too cheap for that. And the time-issue of course.
But oh, dreamy!

Nov 6, 2009, 06.13 PMby kgallagher3

I’d love to make my own shoes, I have piles of leather samples from my dad (he works in furniture) that I could work with

Nov 6, 2009, 08.48 PMby loyl8

ooooo I am really excited to try this just have to get the book :)

Nov 7, 2009, 04.03 AMby elishafaerie

I stumbled upon this book sometime last year, though I don’t own it. I’ve been wanting to try this out forever, seeing as I have very short, very wide feet. Shoe shopping for me is a nightmare! ^-

Nov 9, 2009, 05.10 PMby tapegirl

Whee! I’va been dreaming about making my own shoes for a long time! This is a perfect idea!

Nov 10, 2009, 03.16 AMby Wintha

I made shoes from this book! Back in the 90’s this book was advertised in the back pages of sewing magaizines. I found the book at the public library and decided to give it a try. The goal: create matching shoes for a Folkwear 1920’s flapper like cloak made of rich printed velvet. The book was fabulous. I made the lasts, found all the products Ms. Wales Loomis suggests and wound up with a wearable pair f velvet pumps. I wore them to a company Christmas party and danced the might away. I wish I still had both the cloak and shoes, but time and many moves have lost them. How happy I am to see this book is still in print. Ms. Wales Loomis is adorable on her website. I think I’ll give shoe making another go. But what will be the inspiration……

Nov 10, 2009, 08.53 AMby sabriner

These are really intriguing… made a pair, but still have to sew another layer of leather for soles!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Viking_shoes/

Nov 10, 2009, 03.17 PMby schickchick

i have a couple pairs of shoe kits that i found at thrift stores…neither are my size but i wanted to try ‘em anyway! i haven’t gotten around to it yet though.