Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
In this video, I am going to show you one of my favorite shoemaking saving money hacks.
Is shoemaking an expensive hobby? Let’s be honest—it definitely can be. When you are just starting your journey in shoemaking for beginners, the cost of materials is often the biggest obstacle. You look at the prices of premium leather hides, the tools, and the supplies, and it can feel overwhelming.
But here is the truth that I always tell my students: You don't need to have an unlimited budget to make beautiful, professional shoes. You just need to have a smart approach.
We all have those pieces of leather lying around the workshop. Maybe it is a pile of leftovers from a previous project that are too small to buy a matching hide for. Or maybe, like in this video, you have a piece of leather where the quality is good, but the color is… terrible. Maybe it is a bright yellow that you know you will never wear, or a color that just doesn't fit your style.
Most beginners would put that leather aside and go buy a new, expensive hide in black or brown. But that is a waste of money and material!
What You Will Learn in This Video:
Today, I am working with one of my shoemaking students to solve this exact problem. We have some "unwanted" yellow leather, and instead of throwing it away, we are going to transform it.
I will show you how to dye leather to completely change its character. We are taking this bright yellow scrap and turning it into a deep, rich black leather that looks absolutely premium.
We are doing this with a specific strategy: Dyeing the leather right away.
Why This Technique is a Game Changer:
This isn't just about saving a few dollars. This is about Shoemaking 101 resourcefulness. This technique opens up so many possibilities for you:
Save Money on Materials: You can buy cheaper "odd colored" leather hides on sale, knowing you can fix the color later.
Use Your Leftovers: Those small scraps can become the details of your next shoe.
Creative Freedom: You are not limited by the colors the store sells. You create your own.
Applying This to Any Footwear Type:
In this video, we are preparing this leather to make a pair of classic Oxford Shoes. Because Oxfords require a clean, polished look, you might think you need factory-finished leather. But as you will see, our hand-dyed leather looks perfect for a high-end bespoke shoe.
But don't stop there! This technique works for absolutely any footwear type you want to create:
Dr. Martens Style Boots: Imagine taking a sturdy, light-colored leather and dyeing it a crazy color for your own bespoke combat boots.
Sneakers: In my Sneakers Making Course, we often combine different textures and colors. This dyeing method allows you to turn a small scrap into a custom-colored quarter or heel counter for your sneakers.
Derby Shoes & Loafers: Give your classic shoes a unique patina that you cannot buy in a store.
If you are a seasonal shoemaker or just testing the waters, costs can add up fast. Don't let the price of leather stop you from making shoes. Use this method to turn "trash" into treasure.
If you want to master the specific shoe types I mentioned and learn how to use these materials in professional construction, check out my full step-by-step courses below.
START YOUR SHOEMAKING JOURNEY HERE:
Make The Classic English Welted Oxford: Learn the complete construction of the shoe we are preparing this leather for. 👉 shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/how-to-make-english-welted-brogue-oxford-mens-shoe-course
Make Your Own "Dr. Martens" Style Boots: Love boots? Learn to make them from scratch in my Boots Bundle. 👉
shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/dr-martens-boots-course
The Ultimate Sneakers Making Course: Learn to mix materials and create comfortable, stylish sneakers (perfect for using up leather scraps!). 👉 shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/sneakers-making-course
Beginners Shoemaking Program: New to the craft? Start here to learn the basics correctly. 👉 shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/beginner-programs-sale
Let’s Connect: Website: shoemakingcoursesonline.com Instagram: @shoemakingcoursesonline
About the Channel: I am Sveta Kletina, a bespoke shoemaker and founder of Shoemaking Courses Online. I teach people from all over the world how to make their own shoes from home, using professional techniques adapted for your home workshop. Whether you want to make high heels, men's dress shoes, or sneakers, I have a course for you.
#Shoemaking #ShoemakingForBeginners #LeatherCraft #HowToMakeShoes #Shoemaking101 #LeatherDyeing #DIYFfashion #Cobbler #HandmadeShoes #ShoeDesign #SaveMoney DIY #craftshorts
#Bottier #leather
In this video, I am going to show you one of my favorite shoemaking saving money hacks.
Is shoemaking an expensive hobby? Let’s be honest—it definitely can be. When you are just starting your journey in shoemaking for beginners, the cost of materials is often the biggest obstacle. You look at the prices of premium leather hides, the tools, and the supplies, and it can feel overwhelming.
But here is the truth that I always tell my students: You don't need to have an unlimited budget to make beautiful, professional shoes. You just need to have a smart approach.
We all have those pieces of leather lying around the workshop. Maybe it is a pile of leftovers from a previous project that are too small to buy a matching hide for. Or maybe, like in this video, you have a piece of leather where the quality is good, but the color is… terrible. Maybe it is a bright yellow that you know you will never wear, or a color that just doesn't fit your style.
Most beginners would put that leather aside and go buy a new, expensive hide in black or brown. But that is a waste of money and material!
What You Will Learn in This Video:
Today, I am working with one of my shoemaking students to solve this exact problem. We have some "unwanted" yellow leather, and instead of throwing it away, we are going to transform it.
I will show you how to dye leather to completely change its character. We are taking this bright yellow scrap and turning it into a deep, rich black leather that looks absolutely premium.
We are doing this with a specific strategy: Dyeing the leather right away.
Why This Technique is a Game Changer:
This isn't just about saving a few dollars. This is about Shoemaking 101 resourcefulness. This technique opens up so many possibilities for you:
Save Money on Materials: You can buy cheaper "odd colored" leather hides on sale, knowing you can fix the color later.
Use Your Leftovers: Those small scraps can become the details of your next shoe.
Creative Freedom: You are not limited by the colors the store sells. You create your own.
Applying This to Any Footwear Type:
In this video, we are preparing this leather to make a pair of classic Oxford Shoes. Because Oxfords require a clean, polished look, you might think you need factory-finished leather. But as you will see, our hand-dyed leather looks perfect for a high-end bespoke shoe.
But don't stop there! This technique works for absolutely any footwear type you want to create:
Dr. Martens Style Boots: Imagine taking a sturdy, light-colored leather and dyeing it a crazy color for your own bespoke combat boots.
Sneakers: In my Sneakers Making Course, we often combine different textures and colors. This dyeing method allows you to turn a small scrap into a custom-colored quarter or heel counter for your sneakers.
Derby Shoes & Loafers: Give your classic shoes a unique patina that you cannot buy in a store.
If you are a seasonal shoemaker or just testing the waters, costs can add up fast. Don't let the price of leather stop you from making shoes. Use this method to turn "trash" into treasure.
If you want to master the specific shoe types I mentioned and learn how to use these materials in professional construction, check out my full step-by-step courses below.
START YOUR SHOEMAKING JOURNEY HERE:
Make The Classic English Welted Oxford: Learn the complete construction of the shoe we are preparing this leather for. 👉 shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/how-to-make-english-welted-brogue-oxford-mens-shoe-course
Make Your Own "Dr. Martens" Style Boots: Love boots? Learn to make them from scratch in my Boots Bundle. 👉
shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/dr-martens-boots-course
The Ultimate Sneakers Making Course: Learn to mix materials and create comfortable, stylish sneakers (perfect for using up leather scraps!). 👉 shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/sneakers-making-course
Beginners Shoemaking Program: New to the craft? Start here to learn the basics correctly. 👉 shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/beginner-programs-sale
Let’s Connect: Website: shoemakingcoursesonline.com Instagram: @shoemakingcoursesonline
About the Channel: I am Sveta Kletina, a bespoke shoemaker and founder of Shoemaking Courses Online. I teach people from all over the world how to make their own shoes from home, using professional techniques adapted for your home workshop. Whether you want to make high heels, men's dress shoes, or sneakers, I have a course for you.
#Shoemaking #ShoemakingForBeginners #LeatherCraft #HowToMakeShoes #Shoemaking101 #LeatherDyeing #DIYFfashion #Cobbler #HandmadeShoes #ShoeDesign #SaveMoney DIY #craftshorts
#Bottier #leather
