Shoe-making: the basics

Read about the different stages in the shoe making process:

1. The basic shape of a shoe comes from a last which is of plastic, metal or wood.

2. A designer/pattern cutter uses one of a variety of methods to cover the last with tape or paper, and then sketches a shoe style on it.

3. They take off the tape or paper and this becomes a forme.

4. Various allowances are added and the forme becomes standard. The upper patterns are taken from the standard.

5. The patterns are turned into press knives and cutting dies, and the cutters produce the upper parts from leather or synthetic materials.

6. These are stitched together to form an upper

7. The complete upper has a box toe and heel counter inserted to strengthen the shoe

8. The insole is attached

9. The upper is now 'lasted' or pulled over and stuck down or tacked to the insole

10. The sole unit or seperate sole and heel are attached

11. The shoe is now cleaned and sprayed

12. It is checked by the examiner and put into a box for dispatch to customer