Shoe Making

My question is this: I would like to make my wife a pair of knee high boots, but can't seem to find any info on how to do so, I was wondering if you might be able to help, anything about how to construct them, and patterns.

I have some knowledge of leather working already, as I make leather belts and bracelets for friends, just a hobby you see.

Again any help would be great.

Thanks,

Steve

Re our wide variety of resources, thank you, we really try!

To get started in shoe making, you need Mary Wales Loomis’ classic book, Custom Make Your Own Shoes. The first edition was published in 1978 and was followed by three updated editions.

The early editions are collectors’ items.

Interestingly, Mary’s used books start at $24! If you decide to purchase used, get a later edition. Mary added a lot of new tips and tried to keep up with changing footwear fashion with each revision. For your quite advanced boot project, you will want all the tips she has to offer.

One day Mary was looking at a pair of her shoes and wondered how they were made. She got pliers and a few other tools and ripped them apart. After a few experiments, she came up with a do-it-yourself shoe making method that requires no heavy duty sewing machine or other expensive special equipment.

The press got wind of what she was up to and Mary was soon drafted to give classes. After six years of that, she decided it was time to publish a book on making your own shoes. She has sold over 60,000 new copies and there’s no telling how many times these have been resold on the active used book market.

Mary has also written two other books you may be interested in: Make Your Own Shoes: and Handbags and Sandals and Slippers; and Make Your Own Belts: Contoured, Convertible and Jeweled Patterns.

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