If Your feet do not fit comfortably in the mock-up that you make – perhaps they are thicker or wider, or you have foot issues like bunions – then you can use the frame method to make custom patterns.

Please see the video https://youtu.be/EwQEAjffXnM to learn the frame method.

To receive the free e-books, please send your request by email to simpleshoemaking@gmail.com.

These are a basic oxford style, but with the opening elongated toward the toes..no problem, I have an oxford pattern, it’s in a stack that I’m planning to share under Resources as soon as I can get to it..but since, using my new “frame” shoemaking method, I don’t need to make the stitch-marks on upper and sole that slow me down. So, maybe I’ll post it this week, I’ll announce it in my next blog post!

I happen to have a teardrop-shaped punch, so I could create the same punched design that is on this pair of shoes-but if you haven’t accumulated odd shoemaking tools over the years, you could use standard 1/2″ slot punches, combined with circles..

Then I would have to purchase yellow paracord for laces..

Let’s see who makes a pair of shoes inspired by these first – you or me?!

I invite you to check out the above url for information on what the chrome-tanned leather industry has done to the Ganges River in India, and consequently, the people.

In the U.S. and European countries,  chrome-tanned leather tanneries cannot dump their chemicals and dies into waterways, they must all be contained within the factory and re-used.

Here’s a link to  The Toxic Price of Leather by Sean Gallagher: . If you are thinking about making – or purchasing – shoes, I hope you will watch it.

I focus as much on creating little kits using up my mountain of shoemaking scraps as I do making shoes these days. I thought some of you might like to make this wallet as a holiday gift. I got the pattern from https://theleatherguy.org/blogs/how-to/a-simple-leather-wallet-free-template. I love that it has a big space for embellishing the wallet – you can carve or stamp it if you make it from veg-tan leather, or can appliqué as seen here, paint it with acrylic paint or permanent markers – perhaps a child might like to decorate it as a gift. I added a string tie between two riveted circles, mine has held up well! Thanks leather guy, I love my wallet!

This shoe pattern has been available under the “Resources” category for a while, and I thought it would be a good idea to give it some exposure as a blog post. Please send a photo if you make a pair!

I saw this “sandoe” or whatever compound word you can think of (Ruth Emily Davey “owns” the word “shandals”) in a leatherwork book from the 1970’s. It offers some special features:

• you’re more protected than in a pair of strappy sandals, but still have some ventilation – I can imagine making a pair with holes punched all over it – or a pair with no holes — except for small ones for the lace to go through —
• It is much easier to get a good fit since the toes are open and because the shoe is closed with a lace, it can fit a range of widths–
• Since the toe is open you use the same pattern for both the inside and the outside of the shoe, just stitch it at the heel–

To make the sandal, use the pattern to cut out two pieces for each sandal, flipping the pattern over to cut out the second  piece.

Punch stitch holes up the heel end of both pieces for each sandal, then stitch the two pieces together using the cross-stitch.

To make the ventilation slots on the sides, punch a round hole at the top and bottom of where you want the slots, then, with a utility knife against a ruler, cut between the holes on both sides.

Punch stitch holes along the bottom edge of the upper pieces.

Make your sole and punch stitch holes in it as shown on the pattern. To stitch on the sole, make sure you make a groove in the bottom of it to protect the stitching.

Stitch the sandal together.

Here’s a link to the patterns: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g1gDkdzvgzKRR1TGDKW1R_I6N10oLN93/view?usp=sharing

When my niece had her first child, I made a pair of “first footsteps” toddler shoes with a boat appliqued on them. When her second child was born, she wanted to continue with the nautical theme and asked for a pair of shoes with crabs on them. Well, that took some trial and error, some applique and some stitching, but she was happy with them – and, hopefully her little boy was too!

This pair of sneakers demonstrates why I love making leather shoes – from  earth-friendly sources, of course (thrifted leather items, scraps from upholstery shops for example) – I have worn these sneakers through twenty years of zumba classes at the local fitness club, and about an equal amount of hikes on hilly country roads. Yes, they look beat-up – but they still work!

Most petroleum-based footwear – such as sneakers that look like they are made of cloth, but it’s really plastic – are made to last about a year.. so by using a by-product of the meat industry (yes, I wish people would eat less meat but the opposite is happening) – I have avoided purchasing twenty pairs of plastic shoes.

These sneakers have 3/8″ thick natural rubber soling – unfortunately I can’t get this any more, will make do with conveyor belt, some big lug floor mats I have, and whatever else shows up on www.repurposedmaterialsinc.com. If you go to this site looking for conveyor belt, there is a lot of variety in it, make sure one side is textured, not smooth…

Imagine my shock when I checked my email a few days ago and saw this photo – with the caption “I made 15 pairs of shoes in 30 days!” Inspecting the photo, I see center-seam stitch-downs, side-seam moccasins, slip-on mules, ghillies, ballet flats, and many from “How to Make Ecological Moccashoes for All Sizes of Feet with your own two hands!” And what a range in sizes – from baby-size to grown-ups..

At our shoemaking gathering (details below*) yesterday she said she was now up to pair 20! Fortunately she lives near a leather goods store that sells leather remnants, and the rubber soles on her shoes are used mountain bike inner tubes from the local bike shop.

*All are invited to join our zoom shoemakers gathering the first Monday of the month at 7:00ET (same as Boston) and the third Monday of the month at 3:00ET. You are welcome if you haven’t made shoes yet, or if you are experienced and have information to share. To join, send your email address to simpleshoemaking@gmail.com so I can send you the zoom link.