The art of making footwear involves making simple Pam slippers & sandals, to making shoes, sneakers & booths. It is not as easy as we usually think it is but with experience, dedication, hardwork and patience, one can perfect in this art within a short period of time.
I developed passion for making footwears recently. I have always loved to design but not anything other than focusing on my favourite computer & using any software I can lay my hands on, to design (Expect a lesson on that soon).
My sudden desire for making footwears can be because I have always loved to do my own thing: type my own document, cook my meals, make my household products like soaps & creams, design my clothes and so on. I really don't know what to call this, but the fact is that I have seen myself turn my passions & skills into a money making venture. Yea, you heard me right.
Apart from the satisfaction & joy I derive from making use of my products, I have sold them to interested clients, over the years.
Now, back to footwear making, I love to wear slippers or at most sandals to virtually everywhere I go to. Somehow right?
Truthfully, I love the feeling of slippers and prefer it to shoes and heels. I have shoes and heels in my possession that i bought years back but they still look almost new and that's because I don't usually wear them. On the other hand, I won't be able to count the number of times I buy slippers in a year. So, with time, I developed the desire to make my own slippers, and because I desire to learn, I was able to learn a lot. I am still still in the journey of perfecting my skill in footwear making, and it has being challenging & fun. Challenging because, as we all know, nothing good comes easy, but we can always conquer with patience and hardwork; fun because there's a great joy you feel when you behold the beauty of your hardwork. Below is the first slippers I made and I have made more than enough for myself and others within a short period of time.
 |
| Picture 1 |
Hey! Let me warn you, that doesn't mean I don't get tired or discouraged but the grace of God and my determination kept me going.
It may interest you to know that apart from the fact that I have not visited the market for the purpose of buying footwear, for some time now, I have also been making some cool cash from making footwears for others.
Another thing I have learnt in the period of making footwears is my ability to know a good material that will be long lasting. Before now, I depend on the conviction of the sellers and in most cases, I got disappointed because the footwear didn't serve as they promised it would. Even if I decide not to make a footwear and buy an already made instead, my experience has made me recognize original from fake products. Isn't that interesting? Yes, it is!
So, if you're interested in learning this skill, you have nothing to worry about because there are a lot you stand to benefit.
Today, I will be introducing this skill to you, free of charge. Grab your favourite seat and relax and don't forget your favorite juice (😁). Let's go!
For today, I will be demonstrating with paper and at the same time, show the pictures of some materials you will be needing for this project to enable you recognize them when you want to buy.
Materials:
1. An outer sole
2. An insole (inner sole)
3. Leather/Fabric Strips
4. Gum & Brush
5. Scissors
6. Measuring tape/Ruler
7. Pencil/Pen
8. Sand paper
9. Shoe last (Optional but necessary)
 |
| Picture 2 |
Outer Sole:
You can find an already constructed outer sole of different sizes in any footwear material shop. You can also buy an unconstructed sole, in the form of Nora (Outer Nora) and construct yours. This can be achieved by measuring/tracing your foot on paper, placing the paper on Nora and cutting it out.
If you're a beginner, I advise you buy an already constructed sole of your size; you may decide to construct yours as you perfect in the art of shoemaking.
 |
| Picture 3 |
Insole:
You can't run away from constructing an insole because your ability to achieve a well constructed insole determines how beautiful your finished product will look.
Insoles are constructed with either of the following:
a. Inside Nora
b. Combination of Cardboard, Maco and Leather
Insoles are achieved by placing the outer sole on any of the above mentioned materials and tracing round, after which it is cut out.
If you're using the second option, then you add enough gum on the Maco and Cardboard to make it one, making sure that the Cardboard is facing downwards while the Maco is facing upwards. A leather is used to wrap both materials and that gives you the insole as in the Picture 3 above. (We will discuss this in detail in our next class)
 |
| Picture 4 |
 |
| Picture 5 |
The next thing we need is a covering/strip that will hold our feet to the footwear. You can use any pattern of your choice to achieve this either by cutting out small, medium or large leather/fabric strips or by using ropes. We can achieve this by making a sketch on paper, then place on leather or fabric and cut out.
To get strips that can fit your feet, place a measuring tape at both sides of your foot, adding about extra 2inches before cutting. My feet measured 5½inches, I added extra 2inches to make it 7½inches.
If the covering will exceed top part of your foot and move downwards to the ankle or heel area, then you have to measure the downward part because the tape measurement will increase. Mine measures 11½inches, plus the extra inches for folding under the inner sole.
 |
| Picture 6 |
Make a mark on the extra inches that will be going under the insole and add enough gum/glue to it, using your brush to spread the gum evenly.
Make a corresponding mark on the back of the insole and add gum to it, while you allow it to dry. Then perfectly glue them together but you don't just place your covering (strips) anywhere; start placing them 5cm away from the tip of the foot.
 |
| Picture 7 |
Next is to fix the outer sole to the insole. Use your brush to apply gum on both sides of the soles. Allow to dry. For more effective result, heat it up on a burning flame or allow to stay in the sun, before putting them together. And your simple footwear is ready!
 |
| Picture 8 |
 |
| Picture 9 |
Feel free to follow us on our Facebook Page Here.
Finally, if you find this article helpful, kindly encourage us by dropping a comment and we will be glad to do more.
Cheers!
