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 @ simpeshoemaking.com (please eliminate spaces when using this email address)

Shoemaking Patterns and Book

I view footwear as clothing for the feet, with the same limitless range of materials, designs and embellishments. As with other pieces of clothing, these patterns may need to be adjusted so they fit you perfectly. My suggestion is that you make a mock-up shoe before cutting into any handmade or otherwise valuable upper material. I usually use two layers of commercial felt laminated together with spray adhesive for the uppers of the mock-up. I suggest using Skulky, an ozone-friendly spray adhesive. Peltex, a non-woven reinforcement material, works well as a mock-up sole.

The following are sets of shoemaking patterns printed on 11" x 17" cardstock, available for ten dollars each. They have marks indicating where holes are punched on uppers that correspond with holes punched on the soles, making it possible for you to assemble and hand-stitch your own shoes. The women's patterns are size 9, for feet 10" - 10 1/4" long. To make footwear in other sizes, use a photocopy machine to enlarge or reduce the patterns so that the sole shown on each pattern corresponds to the length of your foot. Note the percentage of change you used for the sole, and change the upper patterns in the set by the same percentage. Directions for using the patterns, as well as customizing them, are included with each pattern set.

These pattern sets are not yet available, please check back or email me, and I will notify you as they are ready.

Pattern Sets for Sale:

The two shoemaking books I have written are out of print. However, I offer reprints of Crafting Handmade Shoes in black and white for $25 including shipping.

BOOK & ALL PATTERNS SETS - $100

1. VAMP SANDALS - sandals with more front-of-foot coverage, such as party girl dance sandal, along with open and closed toe and/or heel sandals, buckled vamps. - $10

2. TWO-PIECE CASUALS - such as "sylvan slip-on" and "forest walker" - $10

3. FLATS - "Mary Jane's", "T-straps". There are many creative opportunities for customizing this style of shoe - with straps or without, perhaps canvas shoes with elastic straps. $10

4. CENTER SEAM - boots, chukka boots, shoes, slippers, clogs. - $10

5. BELLOWS TONGUE - These shoes and boots have a high toebox, and have a tongue that is secured all the way to the top. The lacing assures that the boot will stay close to the leg. $10

6. UGGS AND "SNUGS" - Uggs you know - Snugs fit close to the leg and need a zipper or other closure, such as the velcro under the flap in the purple/rust boot. $10

7. DERBIES - shoe, field boot, derby boot with ties, derby boot with velcro closure. - $10

8. STRAP SANDALS - Many styles of sandals including continuous strap and gladiator sandals. $10

9. REN FAIRE - "Ren" boots, low boots, ghillies. $10

10. KIDS' FOOTWEAR- Six different styles of children's shoes, that can be made from leather, fabric or felted coats $10

11. HIGHER HEELS - I'm developing a 2-inch high wedge-heel sole that can be used as a foundation for any style of upper - $10

12. MOCCASINS - These patterns will include the standard loafer-style moccasin, along with the styles shown above - $10

13. FRENCH MARKET SHOES - Check out the photo on the Resources page, this set will consist of patterns for the shoes in the photo - $10