The Shoe Making Technique of Hand Welting Short Course

About this course

The course examines the stages involved in making a hand-welted shoe, beginning with preparation of the leather insole and construction of the holdfast or feather. Participants practise making shoemaking thread by hand, preparing the forepart of a last and sewing a welt using the handsewn technique. Practical exercises also cover the use of lasting pliers, a welting awl and a shoemaker’s knife, including knife sharpening. The work is intended to give learners practical knowledge they can apply within their own shoemaking.

What you'll learn

• Prepare a leather insole for hand welting
• Construct a holdfast or feather
• Sharpen and use a shoemaker’s knife
• Make shoemaking thread by hand
• Sew a welt using the handsewn shoemaking technique

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for shoemaking and design students, shoemakers extending their skills, leather workers new to handsewn shoemaking and those exploring footwear work. No previous experience is necessary, although participants should be comfortable with physical work involving their hands and a knife.

• Suitable for learners new to handsewn shoemaking
• Involves physical handwork and knife use