Footwear Summer School

This in-depth shoe making course offers you a unique opportunity to learn and develop all aspects of footwear pattern cutting and making under the guidance of specialist footwear tutor Nafi Mustafa.

Based at our Golden Lane site, you’ll have access to the full range of industrial machines used in the making process such as the skiving machine as well as the different types of sewing machines used for stitching leather. You’ll learn how to click (cut your leather by hand) and how to prepare and fit the many components involved such as the linings, insoles, stiffeners and heel coverings.

You’ll start the course with an introduction to footwear pattern cutting, including foot anatomy, size fitting systems and last measurements using a range of contemporary lasts, before moving on to making your first shoe.

Your first making project will be a pair of ladies court shoes, which offers the best introduction to footwear pattern cutting, closing and shoe making. The styles you will investigage will include the 'Mary Jane' and' T-bar' before you move on to sketching your court shoe design onto the last and making your pattern.

For your second project you will have the choice to make a flat sandal (male/female) or a high heel. You will design and cut your own patterns and investigate different styles including, slotted, skeleton and thong (sandals). You will move onto constructing the shoe, stitching the components together and attaching your sole and heels.

Once confident with your new understanding of the making process you’ll start your third project designing and developing your own style of loafer (male/female), court shoe (female) or sandal (male/female), using the lasts and existing components you have been using.

The course will be taught through a series of practical demonstrations and hands-on workshops and cover information on suppliers and tools as well as how to create and complete a sample specification ticket used in the industry. At the end of the course you’ll leave with three pairs of shoes and a comprehensive set of reference notes and supporting patterns for all your shoes.

The course will include:

• Materials & leathers and appropriateness of selection
• Explanation of specialist equipment and machinery and treatments which may be achieved
• Basic understanding of terminology and foot anatomy
• Drawing onto the last
• Last taping
• Making an inside and outside/ mean form and design standard
• Closing (stitching the upper)
• Preparing the insole
• Lasting (shaping the leather)
• Attaching the sole and the heel

Beginners. You should have an interest in footwear making and a desire to learn but no previous experience is required.

While every effort will be made to meet your size requirements, please be aware that it may not always be possible to make the shoe in your desired size. This is not a design course and the shoe style you make will be determined by the capabilities of the studio.
This unique course is incredibly popular and only runs during our summer school programme. Places are limited therefore we advise you book early to secure your place.

Your course place is confirmed once you have booked online or via the phone using a credit or debit card. There is no deadline for booking. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, and all courses have a maximum number of students. We suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

London College of Fashion joined forces with the world-renowned Cordwainers College in 2000, forming a union of unique specialist expertise in footwear and accessories. This collaboration has broadened LCF’s portfolio of specialist courses and since its formation has trained some of London’s most interesting shoe designers.