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Shoe Construction Project II
Seeing improvements in my work inspires me to get better every day. Each day gets me closer to where I want to be.
Design and construct a fully functional shoe from scratch, including a custom outsole that aligns with your creative vision and intended functionality. Your final piece should showcase innovation, craftsmanship, and wearability, supported by documentation of your design process from concept to completion.
Process
The process for this project started by sketching out the last that I will be using to make all the shoes. That way I get the shape and measurements consistent throughout. Next I created a series of sketches all on the same unit sole and explored different designs on how the shoe could look.
From those sketches I then added color to them. Once I was able to visualize them with color, I made the decision on what shoe I would want to make, from which I then made a corresponding tech pack, as well as a rendered version of the shoe using Photoshop.
The making process consisted of pattern-making, a muslin test, to the leather cutting and hand sewing. For the pattern, I taped the last, drew the design, and then taped each piece on to oak tag paper and made the necessary adjustments to account for lasting and sewing allowance. I then made a muslin model to make sure the pattern fits right, and so once I made sure everything was good, I moved on to the actual material.
While I was working on the construction of the upper, I also had to work on the making of the sole. This shoe was going to have a custom sole, which meant that I had to alter it accordingly. For this, I took an already made Vibram sole, and made some adjustments. Due to the incline of the last, I would have to create a form of “heel” on a sneaker sole. I used some clips I already had just to get a sense of height, from which I then lowered the height by cutting some wooden dowels to the height I wanted as well as the diameter. I used PVC pipes instead of wooden dowels for the final, and I inserted a piece of EVA foam, from which the pipes would be supported when attached.