I’m sure my family chucked my grandfather’s lasts, equipment, and tools into the dump after my granny died. Now I’m very sad. He was a cobbler who made shoes for polio victims who usually had one leg shorter than the other. He built up the soles so that their legs were even and they could walk more easily.
Turns out, both Kennedys had to have one shoe altered just like that to better fit. I think with Jackie though, it was just a natural born defect. Go figure.
My mum had this problem (not caused by polio tho) but even with breaking and lengthening her femure, her right leg was still short and a cobbler throughout her life was a necessity! Much appreciation to all the cobblers out there!
I happen to think that she’s the best But she put wrinkles in my nose Those times when she uses glue For the sole .Nonetheless, still think she’s the best But she needs to stop that
9:53 Ah, yes. The "dull knives will lead to you injuring yourself" talk. I have had it with my small scouts, and have gotten it when I was a young scout. Also, a sharper knife will lead to a cleaner cut, that will lead to faster healing and smaller scarring, and a duller knife will lead to a more ragged (?) cut, that will heal slower and leave a bigger scar.
I have permanent nerve damage in my right thumb thanks to a serious cut in a restaurant kitchen. It was the equivalent of a dull knife; I was trying to pop off the metal saucer from one of those little individual coffee drip pots for Vietnamese coffee. It, uhh... it didn't go as planned. But! It definitely illustrated the dangers of dull knives for everyone working at the time 😅🤦🏻
@@moxiebombshell I was just watching my index finger tremor from a kitchen injury I received a few years ago. Lol My chef instructor had a handful of knives in her hand while holding the door open, I was pushing the speed rack through the doorway and the wheels kicked into the doorframe and my hand slammed between her knives, the speed rack, and the door frame.
Unfortunately, I forgot to give the accompanying "don't bring wet wood to be cut" spiel to my scouts. Plus side, I was able to demonstrate the clean cut of a sharp knife. All the way to the bone of my finger. 🤦🏼♀️
When I was a kid I made shoes from sheets of foam and construction paper. They lasted 5 minutes and my sister made fun of me.... I'm gonna try this... mainly for spite, but also bc they are freaking cute!!
My nieces like to make shoes with printer paper, staples and tape. They're such awesome, creative and stylish girls. I say make those shoes, and don't tell your sister that you made them until AFTER she has been amazed and begged you to tell her where you bought them 🤣
12 years ago my grandpa made me sandals that I wore everyday that it was warm enough to wear them and they only just broke earlier this year. I meant to send him the outline of my feet so he could make me some more, but kept forgetting and now he's close to his death bed and his hands are too shaky... So I'm gonna try and make some shoes myself and hopefully that means they'll last me another 12 years and save my wallet instead of hurt it. Homemade shoes are durable.
I really enjoyed the detail of this video (though if I started ANOTHER craft my husband would probably leave me since I just started candle making: along with sewing, baking, sewing, needle point, water colors, wedding accessories business, etc.,) and now want to MAKE all the shoes!! I go to Tandy Leather for my bag making supplies.. Also, I know you no longer work for American Duchess but I just got my first two pairs, Maes and Bernadettes so I do have a pair of shoes that you helped design. So I feel like I have a piece of something you made in my home.
(If you already bake and cook, you should can if you don't! Then at least your husband can't complain as he's enjoying fresh strawberry preserves in December. 😂)
@@KaraEl-K I assumed it was financial. The company does shoes for Hamilton. No shows, no shoes? In any event, there's probably a non-disclosure floating about?
Thank you SO much for this video. I work in preservation of an 1856 collection, and the footwear construction often leaves me shaking my head in confusion. This helps to bring a bit of clarity and gives me fledgling ideas of how some *may* have been worked so I can better conserve.
Be so careful with your cutting!! Nicole does a really good job of mentioning that it is better to make 10 light passes with the blade than 2 heavy ones, but I want to reiterate that this is vital to the safety of your hands and body. I used to work in a shop where we cut metal and composite material by hand, and every new hire would come in overenthusiastic to reduce their number of passes. Not only can this cause your blade to slip and cut into your hand/arm/body/leg, but it also puts a LOT of stress on your hands, which can lead to other pain or injury. More passes are much safer, and generally mean cleaner cuts, too! ;)
Pointe shoes may be manufactured by hand, but mine were certainly not made by hand FOR me. The brands create them in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different traits in each style and brand, so with professional fitting and sometimes a bit of adjustment, each dancer learns what their feet do best with, and then they can repeat buy without getting a new fitting. When I danced en pointe in high school, I had a really good fit with Freed Studio IIs but I also tried out Gaynor Minden and had good results even with the way they did remote fittings with only tracings and measurements (they are not traditionally made, they actually used much more durable materials inside the shoe like what’s in in athletic shoes, so they didn’t break down in the same way as traditional pointe shoes). I loved ballet more than most of my studio mates, and I definitely miss dancing!
Best video EVER! I’ve been hoping you’d do more “how to” videos on shoemaking. I originally got into leather working with the intention of learning to make shoes. It’s a very long story why that never happened, but I never lost the desire to learn. Thank you for always being so willing to share your knowledge and skills. Edit: You have the most patient, sweet doggo in the known universe! *dying of cuteness*
Yes please on the leather 101 video! Your Fabric 101 videos have been some of the most helpful and educational for me (although I love all your videos!)
I would love to see you make a real fancy pair of leather Victorian boots! That would be such a cool video! (I’m a newer sub so if this type of video already exists, I apologize that I haven’t caught it yet!)
Ooh I would love a "leather 101" video. The fabric video was VERY helpful to me. I have no plans to make myself a pair of shoes any time soon, but I think this is absolutely fascinating.
They’re adorable! I really want them. I can’t see ever making my own shoes- it would take a lot of strength that I just don’t have. And yet, I find I really enjoy watching shoes being made. It’s nice to know how, even though I wouldn’t be making any myself.
I'm not into making shoes, but I have to admit, it's nice to know how things like this are made. Sometimes modern industrial culture makes me feel like a bed patient who would be running around lice-ridden and naked after the bombs drop, and knowing how to actually create things I'd need to survive is somehow reassuring. As a no-pattern knitter, quilter, and spinner, I can easily see the appeal of learning bookbinding, weaving, pattern making, and shoemaking.
Except for Halloween and Comic Con, I don't make costumes. However, I still love to watch the many skilled artists who share their expertise here on the TH-cams. Thank you Nicole! You're tops!
You are so generous with your knowledge, it is greatly appreciated! Bit of an obvious statement, but this reminds me a good deal of how a pointe shoe is constructed.
Absolutely amazing video, Nicole! Shoe-making is something we totally take for granted. Your skill and demonstration technique is stellar. I could feel the strength of your touch as you worked on this project. Wow! Not for the weaklings among us. And, they are so cute!
It would be a huge project but maaaann…. I keep hoping you will do shoe classes. Shoe-along-with-me. Lol. That being said, i could watch you make shoes all day
If you can't see through your paper well enough you can go against a well lit window. I was working at night and I used my tablet as a light board. I opened my email turned the light up and away I went.
Interesting; the "bow" you stitched in gives this the impression of a ballet slipper, but I don't know enough to know if that's a coincidence or intentional reference.
@@verybarebones yes, I was referring to the original when I asked the general question, I just had to figure out a way to specify which bow, since there are two. 😊
@@khills seems like in western europe ballet shoes as we think of them (flat slippers) evolved and became standard alongside the flat regency-era shoes.
Thank you for another inspiring video. These shoes are so sweet, I'm always in awe of your talent. Your videos are very calming, they remind me that I don't need to rush through my tasks. I tend to be stressed and uptight when I work on things, I don't know why I'm like that but I really want to slow down and enjoy the process.
So flippin' cool! I have total hobby brain and wanna do everything all the time and shoe making has been a big one. Great video, gonna put this one into the tickle trunk for when I finally attempt it myself! :)
My mother gave .y my first sewing machine when I was like 11 or 12. It was more like a toy machine, it only did a single chain stitch but I wore it out! Never thought of shoes till I went to my first festival event just this year. I did belly dance and made my own costumes so I just ordered a new machine for my birthday! I have piles of fabrics and am excited to create again. However I purchased a pair of hand stitched lovely shoes a court lady would wear. Your amazing.
What an incredible video! I’ve been wanting to learn shoe making, and this makes it feel doable. With my very narrow US 13s, it’s really tough to find cool shoes that fit and are comfortable, so it seems like DIY is my best option!
I've been wanting to get into shoe making for ages, thank you very much for the sources and this encouraging video. These seem like a good place to start as I too, tend to just jump in and learn the basics later lol.
This was so informative and interesting. I seriously had no desire to learn how to make shoes but I like your videos so I gave it a watch and couldn’t look away. My husband was like, “Are you still watching that? It like a movie” but I couldn’t see him, I was too engrossed, well done. Beautiful shoes and cute dog!
That was fascinating! The shoes are adorable, and so is the dog. I don't need to try shoemaking, I don't need to try shoemaking, I already have too many tailoring projects planned so I don't need to learn shoemaking...
I had a white Persian who liked to "wear" my shoes. He threw up in them a few times too! I learned to check my shoes, which I kept under my bed, before I put them on since I had a surprise more than once!
You are such a talent!! I'm sick in bed with a lupus flare up right now and have binge watched almost your entire video library. You have no idea the comfort these videos have brought me! Thank you🤗
Hi! Fellow lupus sufferer here! I hope you are feeling better this year. I've spent most of the last year in and hospitals but I'm out now! I hope you are looking forward to spring and can dive into that happy season. I live in Australia and we are slipping into autumn right now and I'm looking forward to winter. Be well! You've got great taste for bingeing material!!
I’ve had a massive issue with an inability to find a fitting last for myself- mostly issues trying to find something with a high enoguh arch or wooden so o can make the arch higher. I’m also hunting for a D width which is probably not helping. I am very tempted to try making my own last instead, and wondering how insane of a prospect that is. If it is feasible then I am also wondering if gluing multiple layers of wood together works or if I need to get a solid chunk to do a last from.
From my own experience from wood working, so should it not matter if you use several layers of wood or one solid. Just make soure that you use good glue and the wood is drie before gluing. And if you are going to whet form leather on it, you´ll need to oil or lacure the wood, else it will swell and crack. Important thing when it comes to oiling wood. Get PROPRER wood oil, and not food/cooking oil. Food graded oil will go bad after a while, and wont oxidise/harden. And you will get that oil everywhere. As it dosent harden it will rubb of on to everything.
I’d like to make my own last as well. I am very much into natural foot movement and would love to be able to make my own leather flats and period-specific styles that are more flexible and more shaped like my foot!
You can start with a basic wooden last then personalise it to your foot with shaped layers of leather if you have the skills. I admire anyone who wants to carve their own wooden last :)
CFC CFC I ended up making mine from one chunk- hardwood warehouse had stuff the right size for it. Was easier than expected, currently on the finishing it stages (oiling etc.) modifying would have been so extreme to be more work, as I have wide feet, long toes, and high arches, none of which would be in the right place. It was honestly easier to start from scratch.
I don't think I'll be making my own shoes anytime soon, but this video was very professionally filmed and edited, informative, and relaxing/calming to watch. You always explain things very clearly and show very clearly on camera.
These shoes are so beautiful! I dream of making my own shoes and have gotten some tools for use in the future. This video really inspires me but the shoes will have to wait. I have 9 sewing projects waiting to be completed. Shoe and bonnet making are definitely on the to-do list though.
A bone folder! That's what we use to bind books by hand. I'm curious: about that clear white glue you mentioned for the insole, book-binders would historically use a simple flour glue. Could you use that for this part of shoemaking as well?
I am thinking about effect of sweat and growth of micro organisms. The linen fabric inhibits microbiol growth, cotton gives a home to it. I think flour paste would be tasty. I had my shoe hoard, much new, of Italian beautifully made loafers with stitched soles and others stolen when I moved. It’s hard to buy good quality shoes even the last 3 or 4 years has downgraded what’s available let alone my lifetime.Boots are well nigh impossible because of stupid ugly heels and weird lasts to support people without arches. The one centimetre to 1.5 cm perfect boot heel and thick soft leathers are long gone on a pull on boot no zips, no freaky waist, just best quality and strong design. No more strong design.
Oh my goodness this is so cool. I've never seen shoes made, vintage or otherwise. I'm obscenely jealous of your talent. The robin's egg blue ones that you made are just so beautiful. You looked amazing on the cruise, and on the rest of the trip as well. I came over from Abby's channel, where I've seen you do some amazing patterning and sewing. I'm a verifiable green-eyed monster. I can't wait to dive in to your video library for more goodies. And oh yeah, the purple dress you wore on the cruise? The one with the sash? Absolute divinity. And finally, your shoe model is the best in the business and deserves extra treats and walkies 💜
Thank you so much for this video. I and many of my family members, even my grandfather have severe lymphedema. Especially any area of the body is left hanging like leaving your arms hang it pools in your fingers and moves up the longer you leave them hanging. With us the worst area is the feet, ankles and legs. It is almost impossible to find a pair of shoes that any of us can wear. For instance when my grandfather was in the nursing home, they left him sitting in a chair most of the day with his house shoes on. So the water pooled in his feet above where the shoe stopped and into his ankles, which became half as long over the top of his feet as his feet were. Most of the women were all small until childbirth and once we had children the lymphedema began to set in. I'm one of the tallest and I have to fight to keep my water weight down. My feet and legs can swell up to 2 1/2 inches in a few hours. As long as they are down and not level with my heart, they start swelling like a balloon. I'm sure you wonder why is this relevant to what you are teaching. For nearly 40 years, I have not been able to buy and wear a decent pair of shoes without first having to cut into them or to alter them in any way. I and most of the women in my family normally have to rely on house slippers as shoes. However they don't hold up very well. If you partially blow up a small balloon and press it against the top of your foot, that is what my feet look like at the end of the day. I have tried many ways to redesign shoes to be able to be worn, but I run into lots of problems. I have collected leather from old coats at thrift stores and un assembled them to remake into shoes. My biggest problem is making the soles strong enough to uphold the use. I have mainly re-stitched new uppers to the soles of old shoes by leaving a little bit of the upper to attach it to or done the usual cut splits along the sides running along with the tongue and either leaving it open or by sewing a piece of leather or elastic into it. I do it all by hand and I have designed a shoe with large straps of wetsuit material to stretch over the foot and fasten in an X position and also strips to twist around the ankle to keep the swelling at bay there too. My problem is my hands are riddled with arthritis and it is hard for me to push and pull the needles through the materials anymore. I have some old steel shoe sole forms, I believe to be to insert into the shoe while nailing the soles on. But I'm not sure the actual use for them. I inherited them from a friend who was born in 1920. The forms belonged to her family, but I don't know if they were of her parents or her grandparents which lived in the late 1800's as she inherited a lot of family belongings. She had the wedding shoes of her grandmother and grandfather, which I though was pretty cool as well as his old long tailed sleep shirt style hospital gown he wore before he died. My question is do you have some tips on how to maybe using these shoe forms be able to work the leather onto the soles and possibly make myself a decent pair of shoes? I just recently found a company called COMFORT WEAR, that sells their shoes through WOMEN'S WEAR CLOTHING who actually make shoes that stretch out of woven elastic. They are very comfortable, but they do not stop my feet from swelling like my design should. I am open for any suggestions you may have. I am currently packing my house to move and when I get to the shoe forms or whatever they are I'll send you the information on them in case you are interested in them. I believe there were three, maybe more. Again thank you so much for your thoughtful and educating videos. I loved the one of the history of the tiny shoes or nor so tiny shoes. My grandmother had a pair of button up shoes or boots that were just below her calf. We grew up getting to put them on and button them up with the button hook. She wore a size 6. I hated it because I grew out of her shoes way before I wanted to. I was a size 11 before I finished High school. Her shoes had the buttons set buttoned slightly to the side of her leg but still in front. Thank you again. I am hooked on your videos as I always wanted to wear the old vintage dresses. I always wore long flowing dresses to high school because we were not allowed to wear pants. My daughters best friend works in a museum and like you restores or makes replicas of vintage clothing. She made a beautiful vintage corset that they displayed along with the other vintage corsets they had. You remind me of her. I'm going to send her your link. I know she'll love it. Thanks again Earlene emrg8757@cox.net
Thank you, this was so helpful! I definitely need to try making another pair of shoes. This style looks so cute and could easily fit into a modern wardrobe.
Wow, so very interesting to watch and learn. Although l am far from confident enough to try shoe making on my own, l would love to take a class. i really need a pair of Regency era shoes. Thanks Nicole for opening up the world of shoemaking to us all.
Oh my gosh, You got to the part about the shoe lasts and WE HAVE ONE!! I had no idea what it was, or how it was used, but we have a wooden one. We also have old irons that you heat on a stove and I used to play on the foot rocker of a treadle sewing machine so maybe I shouldn't be so surprised.
I know that it would not be authentic but I would have loved to see your name or logo stamped on the bottom of the shoe. I loved this video. The first of many I am going to watch.
Cool project, but roughing up the leather before gluing on soles is really a must. Furthermore a simple insole stitch would have been nice. Some nails in the heels are preferable as well.
Lovely shoes, and I enjoyed seeing how they are made. I don't believe I have the patience for shoemaking, although it seems perhaps it can be a very zen pursuit. Loved seeing the shoes on the dog. (Penny?)
I am obsessed, and now drop everything to go buy shoe making supplies. your channel has been a very effective enabler. Your knowledge is astounding, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing it with us.
When I watched this I had to think of one of my ancestors who was a shoemaker in the late 18th century in the Ardennen in Belgium… during that time it was a popular spot as part of the Grand Tour. I wonder if his family made shoes for the Bon Ton…. I guess I’ll never know.
You are truly a confirmation for my passion to design n make shoes, accessories of all kinds. I just finished 2 designs this week. The flapper heel is my favorite heel style. Thank you for sharing🙂
Thank you SO much for this! I have made one pair of (quite complicated for a beginner) shoes, and having struggled through all of these steps on my own, I can appreciate and understand so much of what you are explaining!! One question: In the very first clip of the “patterning” section, your last appears like you built it up at the top with leather. Was that the case? Thank you! 😊
This is wonderful! I’ve been wanting to make shoes for ages now, but somehow I cannot seem to find useful resources, so thank the gods for your shoe videos!
I just went to an exposition of embroidered stuff* including shoes, last Saturday, and it's so cool to see that you're using the tambour stitch they showed (they had videos and even how to flyers you could take home!). There were some gold embroidered old shoes on display too, clothing of course, and lots of embroidered millinery (? Accesoires and stuff). Very cool! I even mention you to the rest of my group
I'm very impressed with your creation! This might be the answer for those hard to fit people.😀 I have a friend who was to be in a Victorian Christmas Caroling group. She had to come up with a costume and was stumped on how to make the hat. So she called on me to help. I am an art teacher and will try to come up with whatever is needed when called upon. I had never made a hat/bonnet before and like your shoe, it was a real challenge. It was before you could goggle how to make just about anything. But with common sense and practicality it came into existence and was really lovely. Like the old saying it's true...necessity is the mother of invention! Thanks for sharing your process!
I will NEVER make a pair of shoes. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching you make these! I would be so proud to have made my own shoes and have them be that CUTE! Fantastic job, and a great video!
Just as a marketing suggestion, but there are a lot of people with difficult to fit feet, and I know you know this because of the comment on your website that you can't do custom shoes at this time. I found a company online that does modern shoe "shankboards" that just sends out the heel, shank, with an oversized insoles you can cut to size for those who want to try the DIY shoemaking (mainly the uppers DIY). I'd love to see your company sell either the historic heels, or these shankboards
Now I want to make shoes.... but I’m not sure I will, but you make it look so very “do-able”. Those shoes are gorgeous. Your hands look so wonderful making shoes. Thank you for this extraordinary video. 👍🏻💗👍🏻💗👍🏻💗👍🏻💗👍🏻💗🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️
I’ve seen you on Bernadette Banners TH-cam and I absolutely love the American Duchess shoes you made for her. Some day I’d love to own a pair you’ve made. Kim🇨🇦
I’m sure my family chucked my grandfather’s lasts, equipment, and tools into the dump after my granny died. Now I’m very sad. He was a cobbler who made shoes for polio victims who usually had one leg shorter than the other. He built up the soles so that their legs were even and they could walk more easily.
My Nan was a leather worker,but sadly her supplies were bined when she passed away, she even had a wooden leg to clamp the work .all gone.😥
@@lesleyharris525 my granddad had a hat shaper thing. I've no idea what we did with it.
You must be so proud of your Grandfather. 💕
Turns out, both Kennedys had to have one shoe altered just like that to better fit. I think with Jackie though, it was just a natural born defect. Go figure.
My mum had this problem (not caused by polio tho) but even with breaking and lengthening her femure, her right leg was still short and a cobbler throughout her life was a necessity! Much appreciation to all the cobblers out there!
Imagine the flex of
"Omg I love your shoes!"
"Thanks! I made them'"
That's next level craft.
I happen to think that she’s the best But she put wrinkles in my nose Those times when she uses glue For the sole .Nonetheless, still think she’s the best But she needs to stop that
i think sales would improve greatly if all shoe companies used dogs as their models.
Agreed! Did you see how CUTE those shoes looked on that puppo! Shoe desire!
Or maybe shoes with dogs on them?
@@angellinafosse1936 👍🐶
I hate dogs
Do you remember Hush Puppies? Or Buster Brown children's shoes ("I'm Buster Brown, I live in a shoe. That's my dog, Tide, he lives there, too.")? 🙂
9:53 Ah, yes. The "dull knives will lead to you injuring yourself" talk. I have had it with my small scouts, and have gotten it when I was a young scout.
Also, a sharper knife will lead to a cleaner cut, that will lead to faster healing and smaller scarring, and a duller knife will lead to a more ragged (?) cut, that will heal slower and leave a bigger scar.
I have permanent nerve damage in my right thumb thanks to a serious cut in a restaurant kitchen. It was the equivalent of a dull knife; I was trying to pop off the metal saucer from one of those little individual coffee drip pots for Vietnamese coffee. It, uhh... it didn't go as planned. But! It definitely illustrated the dangers of dull knives for everyone working at the time 😅🤦🏻
I sharpen my kitchen knives after every use. Use it, wash it, sharpen it, wash again, dry and put away.
@@sophuzzy that's a good habit!
@@moxiebombshell I was just watching my index finger tremor from a kitchen injury I received a few years ago. Lol My chef instructor had a handful of knives in her hand while holding the door open, I was pushing the speed rack through the doorway and the wheels kicked into the doorframe and my hand slammed between her knives, the speed rack, and the door frame.
Unfortunately, I forgot to give the accompanying "don't bring wet wood to be cut" spiel to my scouts. Plus side, I was able to demonstrate the clean cut of a sharp knife. All the way to the bone of my finger. 🤦🏼♀️
Awww... A thimble. Abby will be so proud.
When even Nicole Rudolph needs a thimble, you know it’s hard on the hands.
I thought the same thing!
When I was a kid I made shoes from sheets of foam and construction paper. They lasted 5 minutes and my sister made fun of me.... I'm gonna try this... mainly for spite, but also bc they are freaking cute!!
Spite is a great motivator lol
My nieces like to make shoes with printer paper, staples and tape. They're such awesome, creative and stylish girls. I say make those shoes, and don't tell your sister that you made them until AFTER she has been amazed and begged you to tell her where you bought them 🤣
@@AlextheENTP I concur 👍
I see the universe is really trying to enable my desire to learn shoemaking.... fantastic video! I foresee my wallet screaming in the near future....
Me, too…me, too.
You'll be in good company...
Good to know I'm not the only one!
@Lil .y a willing victim at that. As am I.🙆♀️
12 years ago my grandpa made me sandals that I wore everyday that it was warm enough to wear them and they only just broke earlier this year. I meant to send him the outline of my feet so he could make me some more, but kept forgetting and now he's close to his death bed and his hands are too shaky... So I'm gonna try and make some shoes myself and hopefully that means they'll last me another 12 years and save my wallet instead of hurt it. Homemade shoes are durable.
I really enjoyed the detail of this video (though if I started ANOTHER craft my husband would probably leave me since I just started candle making: along with sewing, baking, sewing, needle point, water colors, wedding accessories business, etc.,) and now want to MAKE all the shoes!! I go to Tandy Leather for my bag making supplies.. Also, I know you no longer work for American Duchess but I just got my first two pairs, Maes and Bernadettes so I do have a pair of shoes that you helped design. So I feel like I have a piece of something you made in my home.
(If you already bake and cook, you should can if you don't! Then at least your husband can't complain as he's enjoying fresh strawberry preserves in December. 😂)
@@khills Start with an easy one, like frozen strawberry jam...
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
Omg, I forgot she no longer works at American Dutchess
I haven’t heard why she left American dutchess! Does anyone know why she left?
@@KaraEl-K I assumed it was financial. The company does shoes for Hamilton. No shows, no shoes?
In any event, there's probably a non-disclosure floating about?
Thank you SO much for this video. I work in preservation of an 1856 collection, and the footwear construction often leaves me shaking my head in confusion. This helps to bring a bit of clarity and gives me fledgling ideas of how some *may* have been worked so I can better conserve.
1856???? That's my favorite year in fashion history!! Is this collection available to the public?
@@Luna-bo6sf We have a museum in Kansas City, MO.
Be so careful with your cutting!! Nicole does a really good job of mentioning that it is better to make 10 light passes with the blade than 2 heavy ones, but I want to reiterate that this is vital to the safety of your hands and body. I used to work in a shop where we cut metal and composite material by hand, and every new hire would come in overenthusiastic to reduce their number of passes. Not only can this cause your blade to slip and cut into your hand/arm/body/leg, but it also puts a LOT of stress on your hands, which can lead to other pain or injury. More passes are much safer, and generally mean cleaner cuts, too! ;)
This really resembles the making of point shoes (for ballet). Still hand made for each dancer.
Pointe shoes may be manufactured by hand, but mine were certainly not made by hand FOR me. The brands create them in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different traits in each style and brand, so with professional fitting and sometimes a bit of adjustment, each dancer learns what their feet do best with, and then they can repeat buy without getting a new fitting. When I danced en pointe in high school, I had a really good fit with Freed Studio IIs but I also tried out Gaynor Minden and had good results even with the way they did remote fittings with only tracings and measurements (they are not traditionally made, they actually used much more durable materials inside the shoe like what’s in in athletic shoes, so they didn’t break down in the same way as traditional pointe shoes). I loved ballet more than most of my studio mates, and I definitely miss dancing!
BEST. INTRO. EVER.
Best video EVER! I’ve been hoping you’d do more “how to” videos on shoemaking. I originally got into leather working with the intention of learning to make shoes. It’s a very long story why that never happened, but I never lost the desire to learn. Thank you for always being so willing to share your knowledge and skills.
Edit: You have the most patient, sweet doggo in the known universe! *dying of cuteness*
I agree ,thoroughly enjoy the shoe making,it's like a new experience each time.
Too much work... but they look cute. :) ♡
Yes please on the leather 101 video! Your Fabric 101 videos have been some of the most helpful and educational for me (although I love all your videos!)
I would love to see you make a real fancy pair of leather Victorian boots! That would be such a cool video! (I’m a newer sub so if this type of video already exists, I apologize that I haven’t caught it yet!)
Ooh I would love a "leather 101" video. The fabric video was VERY helpful to me. I have no plans to make myself a pair of shoes any time soon, but I think this is absolutely fascinating.
Thank you Nicole for this fantastic voyage... I’m a lace maker so. I know how important it is to teach so the technique won’t disappear with us!
Those shoes are absolutly GORGEOUS AF! And your dog wearing them is simply the cutest thing ever!!!!! Pet some moar!
They’re adorable! I really want them. I can’t see ever making my own shoes- it would take a lot of strength that I just don’t have. And yet, I find I really enjoy watching shoes being made. It’s nice to know how, even though I wouldn’t be making any myself.
Hehe. “Jump in feet first” into making shoes… I see what you did there. ;-)
YES!! Always scanning my TH-cam looking for a new Nicole video -- but a SHOE ONE, at that??? 😍😍😍 I feel blessed.
I'm not into making shoes, but I have to admit, it's nice to know how things like this are made. Sometimes modern industrial culture makes me feel like a bed patient who would be running around lice-ridden and naked after the bombs drop, and knowing how to actually create things I'd need to survive is somehow reassuring. As a no-pattern knitter, quilter, and spinner, I can easily see the appeal of learning bookbinding, weaving, pattern making, and shoemaking.
The intro made me laugh. Love ur puppers.
the color and stitching makes me think of regency saddle oxfords!
Every time I watch one of your videos it just cements (ha) the fact that I want to be a shoe maker. Thank you.
All the disclaimers are proof that Nicole is indeed a historian, a fashion historian to be precise!
Me: *see the doggo wearing handmade shoes*
Me: *Immediately subscribe*
Can I say that I love your dog?
I know that it's weird since she never saw me, but she seems like a professional cuddler.
Amazing!
If I were still young and hadn't ruined my hands and wrists doing commercial sewing I'd be all over this!
The puppy 🐶 in the shoes is so cutest 😍
Except for Halloween and Comic Con, I don't make costumes. However, I still love to watch the many skilled artists who share their expertise here on the TH-cams. Thank you Nicole! You're tops!
Now i want to learn to do this... and I'm already learning to make corsets
You are so generous with your knowledge, it is greatly appreciated! Bit of an obvious statement, but this reminds me a good deal of how a pointe shoe is constructed.
Absolutely amazing video, Nicole! Shoe-making is something we totally take for granted. Your skill and demonstration technique is stellar. I could feel the strength of your touch as you worked on this project. Wow! Not for the weaklings among us. And, they are so cute!
It would be a huge project but maaaann…. I keep hoping you will do shoe classes. Shoe-along-with-me. Lol. That being said, i could watch you make shoes all day
“THE SHOES” YOU MADE ARE BEAUTIFUL! ❤
Last making is a whole video
> series < unto itself.
If you can't see through your paper well enough you can go against a well lit window. I was working at night and I used my tablet as a light board. I opened my email turned the light up and away I went.
This is an amazing tutorial! It’s so fascinating to see how they come together!!
I've been doing leatherwork for a few years and every time you make a shore related vídeo I feel the urge to learn shoe-making too!
So informative, so aesthetically pleasing, so wonderful. What more could you ask for?
Your dog's deadpan expression cracks me up!
Interesting; the "bow" you stitched in gives this the impression of a ballet slipper, but I don't know enough to know if that's a coincidence or intentional reference.
It was in the original too no?
Basically it’s because ballet shoes evolved out of pretty much this style of shoe.
@@CraftQueenJr are you sure about that? Ballet shoes are older than this shoe style, AFAIK.
@@verybarebones yes, I was referring to the original when I asked the general question, I just had to figure out a way to specify which bow, since there are two. 😊
@@khills seems like in western europe ballet shoes as we think of them (flat slippers) evolved and became standard alongside the flat regency-era shoes.
Ive found out more about shoemaking from your TH-cam channel than i did from years of hunting books or professional classes 🥲
Thank you for another inspiring video. These shoes are so sweet, I'm always in awe of your talent. Your videos are very calming, they remind me that I don't need to rush through my tasks. I tend to be stressed and uptight when I work on things, I don't know why I'm like that but I really want to slow down and enjoy the process.
So flippin' cool! I have total hobby brain and wanna do everything all the time and shoe making has been a big one. Great video, gonna put this one into the tickle trunk for when I finally attempt it myself! :)
My mother gave .y my first sewing machine when I was like 11 or 12. It was more like a toy machine, it only did a single chain stitch but I wore it out! Never thought of shoes till I went to my first festival event just this year. I did belly dance and made my own costumes so I just ordered a new machine for my birthday! I have piles of fabrics and am excited to create again. However I purchased a pair of hand stitched lovely shoes a court lady would wear. Your amazing.
How to make shoes. Step one, must have adorable puppy. 😍🐶
What an incredible video! I’ve been wanting to learn shoe making, and this makes it feel doable. With my very narrow US 13s, it’s really tough to find cool shoes that fit and are comfortable, so it seems like DIY is my best option!
Omg these are so beautiful, it’s lovely that you’re making “how to’s” again!!
Would you ever consider having a workshop type of class?
I've been wanting to get into shoe making for ages, thank you very much for the sources and this encouraging video. These seem like a good place to start as I too, tend to just jump in and learn the basics later lol.
This was so informative and interesting. I seriously had no desire to learn how to make shoes but I like your videos so I gave it a watch and couldn’t look away. My husband was like, “Are you still watching that? It like a movie” but I couldn’t see him, I was too engrossed, well done. Beautiful shoes and cute dog!
I'm grateful you offer so much knowledge and skills here for free. Your time is valuable, but your encouragement is invaluable so thank you.
That was fascinating! The shoes are adorable, and so is the dog.
I don't need to try shoemaking, I don't need to try shoemaking, I already have too many tailoring projects planned so I don't need to learn shoemaking...
I had a white Persian who liked to "wear" my shoes. He threw up in them a few times too! I learned to check my shoes, which I kept under my bed, before I put them on since I had a surprise more than once!
You make such beautiful shoes. Your dog is a treat
OMG that opening shot had me blurting out an embarrassingly loud "AWW!"
You are such a talent!! I'm sick in bed with a lupus flare up right now and have binge watched almost your entire video library. You have no idea the comfort these videos have brought me! Thank you🤗
Hi! Fellow lupus sufferer here! I hope you are feeling better this year. I've spent most of the last year in and hospitals but I'm out now!
I hope you are looking forward to spring and can dive into that happy season. I live in Australia and we are slipping into autumn right now and I'm looking forward to winter.
Be well! You've got great taste for bingeing material!!
I’ve had a massive issue with an inability to find a fitting last for myself- mostly issues trying to find something with a high enoguh arch or wooden so o can make the arch higher. I’m also hunting for a D width which is probably not helping. I am very tempted to try making my own last instead, and wondering how insane of a prospect that is.
If it is feasible then I am also wondering if gluing multiple layers of wood together works or if I need to get a solid chunk to do a last from.
From my own experience from wood working, so should it not matter if you use several layers of wood or one solid. Just make soure that you use good glue and the wood is drie before gluing. And if you are going to whet form leather on it, you´ll need to oil or lacure the wood, else it will swell and crack.
Important thing when it comes to oiling wood. Get PROPRER wood oil, and not food/cooking oil. Food graded oil will go bad after a while, and wont oxidise/harden. And you will get that oil everywhere. As it dosent harden it will rubb of on to everything.
I’d like to make my own last as well. I am very much into natural foot movement and would love to be able to make my own leather flats and period-specific styles that are more flexible and more shaped like my foot!
You can start with a basic wooden last then personalise it to your foot with shaped layers of leather if you have the skills. I admire anyone who wants to carve their own wooden last :)
CFC CFC I ended up making mine from one chunk- hardwood warehouse had stuff the right size for it. Was easier than expected, currently on the finishing it stages (oiling etc.) modifying would have been so extreme to be more work, as I have wide feet, long toes, and high arches, none of which would be in the right place. It was honestly easier to start from scratch.
I wonder how easy it could be to use a 3D printer to scan one's feet and then make up an individual last?
I had to giggle at the opening shot where the dog was "wearing" the shoes. So cute!
that white design is basically done with crochet technique, so lovely
I don't think I'll be making my own shoes anytime soon, but this video was very professionally filmed and edited, informative, and relaxing/calming to watch. You always explain things very clearly and show very clearly on camera.
So wonderful to see those sad faded shoes recreated and brought back to their full beautiful glory!
These shoes are so beautiful! I dream of making my own shoes and have gotten some tools for use in the future. This video really inspires me but the shoes will have to wait. I have 9 sewing projects waiting to be completed. Shoe and bonnet making are definitely on the to-do list though.
A bone folder! That's what we use to bind books by hand. I'm curious: about that clear white glue you mentioned for the insole, book-binders would historically use a simple flour glue. Could you use that for this part of shoemaking as well?
I am thinking about effect of sweat and growth of micro organisms. The linen fabric inhibits microbiol growth, cotton gives a home to it. I think flour paste would be tasty. I had my shoe hoard, much new, of Italian beautifully made loafers with stitched soles and others stolen when I moved. It’s hard to buy good quality shoes even the last 3 or 4 years has downgraded what’s available let alone my lifetime.Boots are well nigh impossible because of stupid ugly heels and weird lasts to support people without arches. The one centimetre to 1.5 cm perfect boot heel and thick soft leathers are long gone on a pull on boot no zips, no freaky waist, just best quality and strong design. No more strong design.
If so I would add drops of rosemary oil or bench mark thyme oil to the flour paste, they are strong anti microbiols.
Intensive tutorial. Much, much info. Much. It kind of puts a different frame on your other shoe videos. Excellent video.
Oh my goodness this is so cool. I've never seen shoes made, vintage or otherwise. I'm obscenely jealous of your talent. The robin's egg blue ones that you made are just so beautiful. You looked amazing on the cruise, and on the rest of the trip as well. I came over from Abby's channel, where I've seen you do some amazing patterning and sewing. I'm a verifiable green-eyed monster. I can't wait to dive in to your video library for more goodies. And oh yeah, the purple dress you wore on the cruise? The one with the sash? Absolute divinity. And finally, your shoe model is the best in the business and deserves extra treats and walkies 💜
Thank you so much for this video. I and many of my family members, even my grandfather have severe lymphedema. Especially any area of the body is left hanging like leaving your arms hang it pools in your fingers and moves up the longer you leave them hanging. With us the worst area is the feet, ankles and legs. It is almost impossible to find a pair of shoes that any of us can wear. For instance when my grandfather was in the nursing home, they left him sitting in a chair most of the day with his house shoes on. So the water pooled in his feet above where the shoe stopped and into his ankles, which became half as long over the top of his feet as his feet were. Most of the women were all small until childbirth and once we had children the lymphedema began to set in. I'm one of the tallest and I have to fight to keep my water weight down. My feet and legs can swell up to 2 1/2 inches in a few hours. As long as they are down and not level with my heart, they start swelling like a balloon. I'm sure you wonder why is this relevant to what you are teaching. For nearly 40 years, I have not been able to buy and wear a decent pair of shoes without first having to cut into them or to alter them in any way. I and most of the women in my family normally have to rely on house slippers as shoes. However they don't hold up very well. If you partially blow up a small balloon and press it against the top of your foot, that is what my feet look like at the end of the day. I have tried many ways to redesign shoes to be able to be worn, but I run into lots of problems. I have collected leather from old coats at thrift stores and un assembled them to remake into shoes. My biggest problem is making the soles strong enough to uphold the use. I have mainly re-stitched new uppers to the soles of old shoes by leaving a little bit of the upper to attach it to or done the usual cut splits along the sides running along with the tongue and either leaving it open or by sewing a piece of leather or elastic into it. I do it all by hand and I have designed a shoe with large straps of wetsuit material to stretch over the foot and fasten in an X position and also strips to twist around the ankle to keep the swelling at bay there too. My problem is my hands are riddled with arthritis and it is hard for me to push and pull the needles through the materials anymore. I have some old steel shoe sole forms, I believe to be to insert into the shoe while nailing the soles on. But I'm not sure the actual use for them. I inherited them from a friend who was born in 1920. The forms belonged to her family, but I don't know if they were of her parents or her grandparents which lived in the late 1800's as she inherited a lot of family belongings. She had the wedding shoes of her grandmother and grandfather, which I though was pretty cool as well as his old long tailed sleep shirt style hospital gown he wore before he died. My question is do you have some tips on how to maybe using these shoe forms be able to work the leather onto the soles and possibly make myself a decent pair of shoes? I just recently found a company called COMFORT WEAR, that sells their shoes through WOMEN'S WEAR CLOTHING who actually make shoes that stretch out of woven elastic. They are very comfortable, but they do not stop my feet from swelling like my design should. I am open for any suggestions you may have. I am currently packing my house to move and when I get to the shoe forms or whatever they are I'll send you the information on them in case you are interested in them. I believe there were three, maybe more. Again thank you so much for your thoughtful and educating videos. I loved the one of the history of the tiny shoes or nor so tiny shoes. My grandmother had a pair of button up shoes or boots that were just below her calf. We grew up getting to put them on and button them up with the button hook. She wore a size 6. I hated it because I grew out of her shoes way before I wanted to. I was a size 11 before I finished High school. Her shoes had the buttons set buttoned slightly to the side of her leg but still in front. Thank you again. I am hooked on your videos as I always wanted to wear the old vintage dresses. I always wore long flowing dresses to high school because we were not allowed to wear pants. My daughters best friend works in a museum and like you restores or makes replicas of vintage clothing. She made a beautiful vintage corset that they displayed along with the other vintage corsets they had. You remind me of her. I'm going to send her your link. I know she'll love it. Thanks again Earlene emrg8757@cox.net
I love that beginning shot of your dog in your shoes!!!
Cuteness overload!!!
This was so cool to watch. Thanks for making them for us to see!!!
First video I watch of you and it was intoxicating. I am obsessed, that's an haute couture shoe. New follower.
Thank you, this was so helpful! I definitely need to try making another pair of shoes. This style looks so cute and could easily fit into a modern wardrobe.
Wow, so very interesting to watch and learn. Although l am far from confident enough to try shoe making on my own, l would love to take a class. i really need a pair of Regency era shoes. Thanks Nicole for opening up the world of shoemaking to us all.
Oh my gosh, You got to the part about the shoe lasts and WE HAVE ONE!! I had no idea what it was, or how it was used, but we have a wooden one. We also have old irons that you heat on a stove and I used to play on the foot rocker of a treadle sewing machine so maybe I shouldn't be so surprised.
I know that it would not be authentic but I would have loved to see your name or logo stamped on the bottom of the shoe. I loved this video. The first of many I am going to watch.
Yes! Leather 101 please!!! I so look forward to it!
I like how you started with the flat shoes, that must be the gateway drug. "First one's free."
Cool project, but roughing up the leather before gluing on soles is really a must. Furthermore a simple insole stitch would have been nice. Some nails in the heels are preferable as well.
Lovely shoes, and I enjoyed seeing how they are made. I don't believe I have the patience for shoemaking, although it seems perhaps it can be a very zen pursuit. Loved seeing the shoes on the dog. (Penny?)
I am obsessed, and now drop everything to go buy shoe making supplies. your channel has been a very effective enabler. Your knowledge is astounding, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing it with us.
When I watched this I had to think of one of my ancestors who was a shoemaker in the late 18th century in the Ardennen in Belgium… during that time it was a popular spot as part of the Grand Tour. I wonder if his family made shoes for the Bon Ton…. I guess I’ll never know.
You are truly a confirmation for my passion to design n make shoes, accessories of all kinds. I just finished 2 designs this week. The flapper heel is my favorite heel style.
Thank you for sharing🙂
Thank you SO much for this! I have made one pair of (quite complicated for a beginner) shoes, and having struggled through all of these steps on my own, I can appreciate and understand so much of what you are explaining!! One question: In the very first clip of the “patterning” section, your last appears like you built it up at the top with leather. Was that the case? Thank you! 😊
Your dog makes a lovely shoe model.
Ho-leee cowwww. Love them on the pup 🥳. Beautifully done.
„The very shoe roses were to be got by proxy“ They look so authentic, that I‘m thinking Jane Austen, although I‘ve forgotten which novel.
This is wonderful! I’ve been wanting to make shoes for ages now, but somehow I cannot seem to find useful resources, so thank the gods for your shoe videos!
I just went to an exposition of embroidered stuff* including shoes, last Saturday, and it's so cool to see that you're using the tambour stitch they showed (they had videos and even how to flyers you could take home!). There were some gold embroidered old shoes on display too, clothing of course, and lots of embroidered millinery (? Accesoires and stuff). Very cool! I even mention you to the rest of my group
They turned out so beautiful.
I'm very impressed with your creation! This might be the answer for those hard to fit people.😀 I have a friend who was to be in a Victorian Christmas Caroling group. She had to come up with a costume and was stumped on how to make the hat. So she called on me to help. I am an art teacher and will try to come up with whatever is needed when called upon. I had never made a hat/bonnet before and like your shoe, it was a real challenge. It was before you could goggle how to make just about anything. But with common sense and practicality it came into existence and was really lovely. Like the old saying it's true...necessity is the mother of invention! Thanks for sharing your process!
Liking because the opening shot was awesome lol!
I will NEVER make a pair of shoes. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching you make these! I would be so proud to have made my own shoes and have them be that CUTE! Fantastic job, and a great video!
The need to make my own shoes is great! Oh my goodness these are amazing "chefkiss" 😗👌
Oh, wow. They are fab! I don't need another craft but I am so tempted...
Would definately try to do them thanks for the detail 'tricks'.
Just as a marketing suggestion, but there are a lot of people with difficult to fit feet, and I know you know this because of the comment on your website that you can't do custom shoes at this time. I found a company online that does modern shoe "shankboards" that just sends out the heel, shank, with an oversized insoles you can cut to size for those who want to try the DIY shoemaking (mainly the uppers DIY). I'd love to see your company sell either the historic heels, or these shankboards
Now I want to make shoes.... but I’m not sure I will, but you make it look so very “do-able”. Those shoes are gorgeous. Your hands look so wonderful making shoes. Thank you for this extraordinary video. 👍🏻💗👍🏻💗👍🏻💗👍🏻💗👍🏻💗🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️🥿☺️
I love the dog in your shoes
I so love the ending, your model is sooooo cute!
I’ve seen you on Bernadette Banners TH-cam and I absolutely love the American Duchess shoes you made for her. Some day I’d love to own a pair you’ve made.
Kim🇨🇦