So I thought maybe I’d put pictures of our handmade shoes to show examples and hopefully INSPIRE you to try shoemaking for yourself! It is fun and fairly easy, if you can sew. Even the kids can help…
amazing how these transform once they are sewn together and “lasted” for shape…
You can tell that the edges need to be sanded, something I’ve done with a belt sander a few times, but most often go to Sharon’s studio (simpleshoemaking.com) to use her super-sander (well actually she sands them for me! Thank you, Sharon!)
busy bees all making their own shoes last summerfreshly applied glue for the heels (not ready until it’s transparent)applying glue to the bottom of the topsoles so the pigskin lining can be glued on to keep it from stretching too much (update – they STILL stretched!)waiting for the glue to dry before attaching and stitching on the sole
patterns from Sharonsewing on the sole with a stitching awlsuede pants from Salvation Army, lined with a felted wool sweater, and on the bottom I sewed together 3 layers of felted sweater with zigzag stitch then glued and sewed that to the sole – SUPER WARM.
experiment by an 11-yr-old. tongue could be wider but he loves them and wears them often. that’s the point!the upper glued to the topsole, holes punched, ready to be glued to the rubber bottom sole, then stitched.excited to test the bright blue laces before they’re finished…
A few other random images…
these I wear every day, all day, inside. made from suede pants lined with a felted sweater, rubber sole and elastic at the top (thru the holes, not shown)We always make a felt mock-up of each pair before cutting the leather or final material. These, we decided, would collect too many rocks in the improperly-placed holes. Too bad, I like the looks of them!using pliers to clamp the upper onto the topsole after gluing (before punching holes).possible sandals?Nice stitching up the back by my brother…his first pair!
some of my firsts, but favorites. It’s been 2 yrs I think and the sole is wearing pretty thin, time to resole or make a new pair!
What about insole support for those of us who must have it? Can you create it, maybe with different sole depths/shapes, or buy insoles and build the shoes over or with them attached? Do you also make boots?
Hi Bonnie, I have never made shoes like that, and at this point am really focusing on the “barefoot” shoes. I feel they are so much better for people’s feet. There are many articles out there supporting this, and I’m sure many supporting arch support as well! So at this point no, I do not make them around or with insoles. I do make boots, but again, barefoot style with leather topsole lined with felt or not, with natural crepe rubber bottom sole. There are many talented shoemakers in the area, but also very expensive. Good luck!
So I thought maybe I’d put pictures of our handmade shoes to show examples and hopefully INSPIRE you to try shoemaking for yourself! It is fun and fairly easy, if you can sew. Even the kids can help…
some of my firsts, but favorites. It’s been 2 yrs I think and the sole is wearing pretty thin, time to resole or make a new pair!
Birch Moon & Farm Shoes Handmade 
I want to learn more how to made shoes
What about insole support for those of us who must have it? Can you create it, maybe with different sole depths/shapes, or buy insoles and build the shoes over or with them attached? Do you also make boots?
Hi Bonnie, I have never made shoes like that, and at this point am really focusing on the “barefoot” shoes. I feel they are so much better for people’s feet. There are many articles out there supporting this, and I’m sure many supporting arch support as well! So at this point no, I do not make them around or with insoles. I do make boots, but again, barefoot style with leather topsole lined with felt or not, with natural crepe rubber bottom sole. There are many talented shoemakers in the area, but also very expensive. Good luck!