An Introduction to Shoe making

Shoes are not only a necessity but they are also an addicting commodity as well. We all heard crazy stories about men and women owning hundreds of pairs of shoes and they are probably one of the most expensive purchases one can make too. All this demand is made possible by the art of shoe making. As the term shows, shoe making is the process of making footwear. It is a traditional handicraft that is still being learned until today. Students of the craft graduate as shoemakers and can produce a wide range of footwear items, helping them make their online footwear business.

Traditional shoe making

Originally, shoes were made by hand. You barely see these type of shoes these days now that shoes are produced in volume, but when you come across one, they will be expensive. The high price tag is because of the craftsmanship, customization, attention to detail, and quality of the footwear that you will be getting. During those times, no two shoes are the same as each shoemaker always make a unique pair. Constructing footwear from scratch and by hand is time-consuming. There are more than 15 traditional shoe making techniques and some of these include pegged construction, goyser welted, stitch down, blake-stitched, and moccasin. The most basic footwear made was the sandal, traced back to ancient times in the Mediterranean.

Industrial shoe making

By the end of the 19th century, the whole process of shoe making was mechanized and can be made in bulk in large factories. The first steps towards the mechanization were during the Napoleonic Wars where there was a need for a huge number of boots for the British army. As more innovations and technological advancements came in the industry, the more shoes were produced industrially in bulk.

The art of shoe making in present times

Today, the art of shoe making is no longer a lost craft as more and more schools are offering the craft as a course. There are also numerous competitions around the world dedicated to the craft of shoe making, helping modern shoemakers be more motivated in pursuing the craft. You may not find most of these women shoes online when shopping because some of the entries are not necessarily ideal for use and are more on for show. These contests often judge by the degree, the execution, and the design of the shoes.

Pursuing shoe making

Is shoe making worth pursuing at this age? Fashion says yes. You do not only get to learn how to make your own shoes but you also get to wear a unique pair, suited to your taste because you made them yourself. You do not need a lot of specialized tools to pursue shoe making. You can find everything you need in local craft stores. Beginners usually start with a sandal project then move on to more complicated footwear as they progress.