Are you ready to take your sewing and DIY fashion skills to the next level? If you’ve ever dreamed of making your own custom shoes from home, understanding the shoe patternmaking process is the perfect place to start. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the essential steps of creating a shoe pattern - just like in professional shoemaking. We’ve broken the process down into three easy-to-follow YouTube videos, so you can learn at your own pace and follow along at home.
Whether you're designing sandals, sneakers, boots, or something entirely original, this step-by-step guide will give you the foundation you need to create your own shoe patterns with confidence.
Step 1: How to Tape Up a Shoemaking Last
Before you can begin sketching your shoe design, you need a clean, workable surface. In shoemaking, that means taping up your last (the 3D foot mold used to shape your shoe). In our first video, we’ll show you how to properly apply masking tape to your last, creating a smooth base that's ready for designing.
Step 2: Designing Directly Onto the Last
Now for the fun part - designing your shoe! With your taped last ready, we’ll walk you through how to draw your shoe pattern directly onto it. This is where your creativity takes shape. Whether you're making flats, heels, or boots, this video will help you map out your design clearly and symmetrically.
Step 3: Turning Your Design into a Functional Pattern
Once your design is complete, it’s time to turn it into a usable paper pattern. In this final video, we show you how to carefully remove the tape design from the last, flatten it, and add essential allowances (like seam and lasting allowances) to create a fully functional shoemaking pattern.
Ready to Go Deeper? Grab Our Patternmaking Ebook
If you're feeling inspired to take your shoemaking skills even further, be sure to check out our Shoe Patternmaking Ebook. This comprehensive guide covers how to create patterns for sandals, shoes, boots, and more. It’s the perfect companion to our Shoemaking Ebook - together, they give you everything you need to make beautiful, custom shoes from the comfort of your home.
