Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Your first pair of handmade shoes doesn’t have to be complicated ✨
Shoemaking is one of those skills that looks intimidating from the outside, but once you start, it all clicks. Cutting leather, stitching pieces together, and watching a real pair of shoes take shape is incredibly satisfying.
That’s exactly why we always recommend ballet pumps as a first project. They teach you the full shoemaking process and build the confidence you need to keep going… before you know it, you’ll be moving on to other shoe styles (and even boots 😉).
Our Ballet Pump Pattern is completely FREE and now includes a step-by-step eBook so you can follow along from home: icanmakeshoes.com/collections/patterns/products/shoe-pattern-ballet-pump
✨ LEARN MORE ABOUT HOME SHOEMAKING WITH OUR ONLINE COURSE ✨
Our Online Course features over 50 hours of beginner friendly shoemaking and bootmaking videos ready to go! The course also comes with a free shoemaking kit and a 14 day money-back guarantee!
👟 You can sign up for my FREE Introduction to Shoemaking course using this link (p.s. it includes a full step-by-step tutorial) - icanmakeshoes.com/pages/free-introduction-course
👡 Or enrol to the full course now! You will receive a free shoemaking kit and there's a 14 day money-back guarantee: icanmakeshoes.com/products/online-footwear-masterclass-course
📚 If you're looking for a more affordable entry point into home shoemaking, why not check out our shoemaking book: icanmakeshoes.com/collections/all-products/products/a-beginners-guide-to-home-shoemaking-hardback-book
📷 What do we use to film our videos?
All equipment can be found here: amzn.to/3tSywUO
Your first pair of handmade shoes doesn’t have to be complicated ✨
Shoemaking is one of those skills that looks intimidating from the outside, but once you start, it all clicks. Cutting leather, stitching pieces together, and watching a real pair of shoes take shape is incredibly satisfying.
That’s exactly why we always recommend ballet pumps as a first project. They teach you the full shoemaking process and build the confidence you need to keep going… before you know it, you’ll be moving on to other shoe styles (and even boots 😉).
Our Ballet Pump Pattern is completely FREE and now includes a step-by-step eBook so you can follow along from home: icanmakeshoes.com/collections/patterns/products/shoe-pattern-ballet-pump
✨ LEARN MORE ABOUT HOME SHOEMAKING WITH OUR ONLINE COURSE ✨
Our Online Course features over 50 hours of beginner friendly shoemaking and bootmaking videos ready to go! The course also comes with a free shoemaking kit and a 14 day money-back guarantee!
👟 You can sign up for my FREE Introduction to Shoemaking course using this link (p.s. it includes a full step-by-step tutorial) - icanmakeshoes.com/pages/free-introduction-course
👡 Or enrol to the full course now! You will receive a free shoemaking kit and there's a 14 day money-back guarantee: icanmakeshoes.com/products/online-footwear-masterclass-course
📚 If you're looking for a more affordable entry point into home shoemaking, why not check out our shoemaking book: icanmakeshoes.com/collections/all-products/products/a-beginners-guide-to-home-shoemaking-hardback-book
📷 What do we use to film our videos?
All equipment can be found here: amzn.to/3tSywUO
