Would you like to be the shoemaker for your village? Making shoes locally, from ecological materials, could be a great contribution to your community, yourself -- and the planet.
You can learn to make ecological footwear for fun or profit by watching my video series. I plan to make new videos of many different simple shoemaking techniques and to show how to make a variety of styles of simple shoes.
Following my directions, your shoes will be made from repurposed or remnant leather, felted wool coats or heavy fabric, natural rubber or inner tube and will be assembled using a non-toxic shoe cement.
Five billion shoes are being made each year, with more and more being made entirely from petroleum-based materials. If we locally make shoes, using only already-existing materials, we are not adding anything to landfills and furnaces that wasn't already headed there someday, and we have not caused anything new to be manufactured.
I really enjoy your patterns and methods! Thanks for all the information you've put out into the world for aspiring shoemakers! I've made a similar style slide from your sandal book. As I wore them longer, I noticed the back (heel area) of the sole has started to sag, since it is isn't supported by the foot. The back of the shoe now scuffs on the floor as I walk. Is there a certain thickness of leather or rubber you recommend so I can prevent this problem on future projects?
Hi, I don't know what you used for soling, but it does need some rigidity to it - leather would need to be 8-10 ounce, w/ rubber it's not the thickness that matters, it's the potential collapsing - but it should be at least 1/4"
I look forward to seeing the shoes you make - maybe you would like to join the shoemaker's group - email me if you are interested - simpleshoemaking@gmail.com
Bonjour , j’ai vu sur etsy des chaussures marrons dont vous dites qu’elles sont vos préférées et que j’aime aussi beaucoup .j’ai acheté deux de vos livres et je n’ai pas se patron . J’aimerais les faire ,mais où puis-je trouver ce patron s’il vous plaît ? Merci
This is very informative for my historical camping/trekking experiment I'm planning. I'm planning to make some moccasins and this pattern looks quite approachable
I love this as I have an unusual shaped foot according to podiatrists. I do need an arch support though as I have very high arches and I'm wondering how that would work?
Here's the link to a moccasin book I made years ago, some of the patterns don't match up well and there are other flaws, but the book might still be useful, please let me know if you make a pair! drive.google.com/file/d/1PZ6mNBuoYY1sXxCqsiBFqvfL1TZCgjYd/view?usp=sharing
Is your book How To Make Moccasins still available? Do you have instructions or a different video on making this pattern? I enjoy your video, and I’d like to make a pair for my large feet.
Hi, You have inspired me to put my moccasin-making book for free on my website, there are pattern imperfections that I don't think I'll ever have the time to correct, but you could still learn a lot from it, I hope! Just enlarge patterns on copy machine, make felt mock-ups to customize pattern.. Breaking news! Here's the link! drive.google.com/file/d/1PZ6mNBuoYY1sXxCqsiBFqvfL1TZCgjYd/view?usp=sharing
Have you considered using a true saddle stich or baseball stitch using a stitching pony? Stitching then becomes decorative and the pony takes some stress off the hands.
Hi, Yes, but with shoe stitching the leather needs to be moved so frequently that I found it frustrating- it would be good if I would make a video to show how it would be done - thanks!
Hi Sharon, Thank you so much for posting the how-to videos on RU-vid. I'm wanting to make the warm toddler boots made from recycled materials but I can't find the pattern anywhere on your website. Could you include the link.
Hi, This might be the easiest way to make warm boots for toddlers - simpleshoemaking.com/wp/tutorial-how-to-make-the-side-seam-moccasin-boot/ - but you can also take the first footsteps patterns and turn the edges up, don't stitch them down to make a channel..
Hi, I made a model shoe over a last with the upper cemented to the sole, then punched holes through upper and sole, took it apart and made patterns for both..I have a video on how to make your own lasts that would work for pattern-making.
Unfortunately I haven't put it online, it's in my book How to Make Simple Ecological Shoes for Women, but I will put it online along with other patterns for the shoemaking kit. Please check my website for the pattern in about a month...
If I could learn to make shoes then I would instantly get rich enough to provide for myself and one day. I could have a family. I'm super excited. My God has answered my prayer through this lady. I wear Crocs all the time here in Florida and today Walmart didn't have my size. My girlfriend took me to Beal's. I was fortunate to find a size 13 Croc shoe. I downloaded this video. Thank you very much. I will definitely call my rich mother so that I can buy your easiest shoemaking kit.
@@simpleshoemaking I have not, yet. I have some special needs for shoes. I believe I have an idea what to do. Your videos have helped me so much! I’m having to invent something. I’m going to try to make a wearable mock up out of denim. If it works I’ll use the deer hide I was given. I’m excited! Again, thank you! I’ve watched all your videos sooo many times. 🤗
I hope you give it a try! And if you would like some support at a twice-monthly shoemaker's zoom meeting, please let me know and I'll send an invitation to you!
My new favorite soling is - burst exercise ball! Gyms get rid of them occasionally..But you can use inner tube. I use non-toxic Aqualim 315 contact cement, but other cement could work, as the cement hold is temporary since you will be stitching around the edge of the sole--