Day 1 through 3 of 6-day
A 6-day intensive workshop making shoes, boots, or sneakers, stilettos, you name it! a design of your own!
Make Your Dream Shoes: Boots, Sneakers, Stilettos—You Name It!
Duration: 6 full days (option to condense into 4 long days, or 5 days, or split into half-day/evening sessions. Please DM us)
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM or 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM with 1 hour lunch break
Format: Private sessions or group class (2+ students required for group)
Skill Level: Open to all—from first-timers to experienced shoemakers
We have updated the course to 6 days to accommodate last modification and midtown shopping mornings.
Course Overview
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll design and construct a custom pair of cemented-construction shoes—your choice of style: boots, sneakers, flats, heels, or sandals. The class is tailored to your skill level and project idea. You’ll learn everything from pattern-making to lasting and soling. Students may use in-house lasts or request custom lasts in advance (additional fee applies).
Schedule at a Glance
Day 1: Design & Pattern-Making
Introduction to lasts: styles, shapes, and sizing
Measuring your feet and selecting an appropriate last
Sketching your design directly onto the last
Creating pattern templates from tape and transferring to paper
Pattern refinement for uppers and linings
Day 2: Finishing patterns, Cutting & Sewing Prep
Finalizing pattern pieces
Cutting upper and lining leathers
Introduction to Skiver Machine and Skive materials where needed
Introduction to the high-post sewing machine
Begin stitching upper and lining components
Day 3: Complete Uppers
Start and Continue stitching
Assembling upper to lining
Prepping completed uppers for lasting
Day 4: Start Lasting
Prepping insole boards
Premolding heel counters
Cementing lining and uppers to the last
Adding structural components: toe puff
Drying and setting time between steps
Day 5: Finish lasting, Discuss Soling & Finishing
Fill in the gap with cork
Flatten bottom
Prep heels
Options: pre-made soles, stacked leather heels and leather outsole combo, lug soles, cats paw, leather covered heels. Learn about the different constructions
Day 6: Soling & Finishing
Finishing details: trimming, inking, buffing
Introduction to Foil Stamping: Customize your sockliner, and insert sockliner with foam
Final runway and photos
Optional: Material shopping trips available. Students are responsible for any external purchases. Let us know in advance to send you a shop list.
Customizations & Options
Custom Lasts: If you have a specific toe shape or heel height in mind, we can help you order custom lasts in advance. Extra fees apply.
Shoe Reconstruction: Want to take apart and rebuild a pair? Contact us ahead of time to plan the approach.
Flexible Scheduling: Private or weeknight options available. DM us to arrange.
Group Classes: Check our calendar or plan a new one with 30+ days’ notice. 2-person minimum.
Important Notes
You may alter the toe shape of a last (add material), but may not shave it down unless you purchase the last.
Bring reference images if you have a vision in mind.
This is a full-time hands-on course. Comfortable shoes and snacks encouraged!
Instructor
Keiko Hirosue-Korolev is a seasoned shoemaker and educator with over 23 years of experience in the craft. After discovering her passion for shoemaking in a transformative course, Keiko immersed herself in the art, learning from independent artisans and navigating the corporate fashion industry. Her work spans collaborations with independent fashion brands and footwear companies, as well as developing expertise in rapid prototyping.
Looking forward to seeing your creations!