Free Shoemaking Instructions and Patterns
To order products
send credit card information, name and address via telephone or fax or send check made out to Sharon Raymond to address below:
Sharon Raymond
145 Baker Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Tel: 413.259.1748
Fax: 413.241.6119
Email:
sharon - at - simpleshoemaking.com
Welcome to simple shoemaking! Making simple footwear has been my passion since I lived in the south of England several decades ago, where there were people making shoes. Realizing I was self-sufficent in many ways, but couldn't cover my own feet, I decided to correct that situation. I learned, and now teach, the "stitchdown" shoemaking process, in which the bottom edge of the upper part of the shoe is turned out, then is cemented and stitched to the topsole. Finally, a rugged outdoor sole is cemented in place. Very simple!
On this website:
- Learn how to make shoes in a class customized to your needs (Shoemaking was considered "one of the top jobs" in the "clean tech" revolution in an article at Treehugger.com (10/22/07)
- Develop ideas for starting your own shoe making business!
- Purchase outdoor soling and patterns for making felted or fabric footwear
- Purchase True Nature shoes made of suede and of recycled materials for children
- Purchase True Nature ghillies, dance sandals, and slip-ons for adults
- Purchase hard-to-find shoe making materials
- Download free directions for making:
- custom-fitted "flat" simple shoes
- fisherman's sandals
- felt clogs
"You Walk Wrong!" is an article from the NY Times magazine last year (http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/) that I invite you to read. It supports the simple way that I make shoes, with lots of space for your toes and thin flexible soling that comes as close as possible to duplicating the barefoot experience, while still protecting your feet.
Become the shoemaker for your village! Here are three reasons why learning to make shoes now might be a great idea: Many people are sensing that the transportation costs for importing products such as footwear may soon outweigh the advantages of low labor costs in other countries; there is a lot of encouragement for people to reclaim the ability to MAKE THINGS! in this country; and many people are intent upon buying locally-produced food and products. I believe the time is right for a multitude of small shoemaking enterprises to crop up all over this country! I can help the budding shoemaker to blossom - first by teaching her or him the basics of simple shoemaking, then offering support during the development of a product, the purchase of tools and materials, and throughout the start-up time. If my belief aligns with yours, please see my Shoemaking Workshops page and consider taking a class customized to your interests.
REPRINTS OF CRAFTING HANDMADE SHOES AVAILABLE
The two shoemaking books I have written are out of print. However, I offer reprints of Crafting Handmade Shoes in black and white for $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping. (Please make out any check to Sharon Raymond). I no longer shape shoes over feet, as is described in the book, but instead only shape shoes over lasts (plastic models of feet with various toe-shapes added). However, some people have had success with the "over feet" technique so I would like the book to remain available. A supplement describing how to make footwear over lasts is included with the book, as well as a resource list.
SANDALMAKING IN HAITI
Recently I sent a sample of a 'fisherman"-style sandal to an orphanage in Haiti, for the older boys to make for the younger ones. I have received a photo of the first pair of sandals made there, and would like to share it with you. I have now put the directions for making these sandals on my "free patterns" pages, so anyone who would like to make these sandals can do so. Please email me with any questions, and I would love to hear about your enterprise!
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