![[Shoemakers Q&A] 4 problems = 4 professional solutions #shoemaking #shoeschool #shorts @ShoemakingCourses](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uiQYZNkyRaA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
What do you really do if…
You run out of a silver pen mid-project?
Your shoe designs just don't look balanced (even though you think you're following the last).
You're trying to last a heel on a wooden last with no steel plate?
Your finished soles look bumpy, not clean and flat?
These are some of the most common questions I get all the time from my students and subscribers.
It’s easy to get stuck on these, but the solutions are often simple techniques that professionals use every day. I’ve written them all down in a brand new, detailed PDF guide for you.
You get all 4 answers in one place.
Want the free guide? Just comment
"training"
below, and I’ll DM you the link!
I
#shoemaking #cordwainer #shoemakingtips #handmadeshoes #leathercraft #shoedesign #footweardesign #DIYshoes #shoemaker #craftsmanship #leatherworking #makercommunity #svetakletina #shoemakingcourse
What do you really do if…
You run out of a silver pen mid-project?
Your shoe designs just don't look balanced (even though you think you're following the last).
You're trying to last a heel on a wooden last with no steel plate?
Your finished soles look bumpy, not clean and flat?
These are some of the most common questions I get all the time from my students and subscribers.
It’s easy to get stuck on these, but the solutions are often simple techniques that professionals use every day. I’ve written them all down in a brand new, detailed PDF guide for you.
You get all 4 answers in one place.
Want the free guide? Just comment
"training"
below, and I’ll DM you the link!
I
#shoemaking #cordwainer #shoemakingtips #handmadeshoes #leathercraft #shoedesign #footweardesign #DIYshoes #shoemaker #craftsmanship #leatherworking #makercommunity #svetakletina #shoemakingcourse
![[Shoemakers Q&A] 4 problems = 4 professional solutions #shoemaking #shoeschool #shorts](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uiQYZNkyRaA/mqdefault.jpg "[Shoemakers Q&A] 4 problems = 4 professional solutions #shoemaking #shoeschool #shorts
What do you really do if…
You run out of a silver pen mid-project?
Your shoe designs just dont look balanced (even though you think youre following the last).
Youre trying to last a heel on a wooden last with no steel plate?
Your finished soles look bumpy, not clean and flat?
These are some of the most common questions I get all the time from my students and subscribers.
It’s easy to get stuck on these, but the solutions are often simple techniques that professionals use every day. I’ve written them all down in a brand new, detailed PDF guide for you.
You get all 4 answers in one place.
Want the free guide? Just comment
training
below, and I’ll DM you the link!
I
#shoemaking #cordwainer #shoemakingtips #handmadeshoes #leathercraft #shoedesign #footweardesign #DIYshoes #shoemaker #craftsmanship #leatherworking #makercommunity #svetakletina #shoemakingcourse")
![SHOEMAKING KNIFE IN THE KIT [Chekc description]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vrPSjp7WGeI/mqdefault.jpg "SHOEMAKING KNIFE IN THE KIT [Chekc description]
This Italian curved-blade knife has been one of my most essential shoemaking tools for more than 20 years.
I use it for skiving leather, cutting soles and cork, trimming uppers, making heels, and cutting EVA or rubber. But the right knife is only part of the process—you also need to know how to sharpen it, maintain it, and hold it correctly.
That’s why this exact knife is included in the Tools & Materials Kit with my 1-Year Pro Shoemaking Program.
You don’t need a million tools. You need the right tools—and the skills to use them properly.
👉 Learn more about the 1-Year Pro Program: https://www.shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/1-year-pro/")
![Design Shoes with the Right Materials [Bespoke Shoes VS DIY]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xiNE-FgLJtY/mqdefault.jpg "Design Shoes with the Right Materials [Bespoke Shoes VS DIY]
Here is a major mistake you might be making when you create shoes—a mistake that completely ruins the comfort and feel of your footwear. When designing shoes, many beginners ignore the importance of matching the right materials.
Let’s break it down: To truly design shoes means you must envision the complete product and its assembly. It is the pattern, the choice of a suitable shoe last, the heels, the soles, and the specific materials you choose. If you choose the wrong combination of materials, you will have a massive problem with comfort.
In this shoemaking tutorial, I will show you exactly what happens when materials mismatch, using a real example from my 2008 Sveta Kletina collection. I designed a pair of boot sandals that looked incredible. The prototype was beautiful, and our focus group loved the look! But there was a huge problem: when walking, the boots constantly slipped off the heel.
Why did this happen? Mismatched materials.
The upper was built with a concept similar to barefoot shoes—very soft, flexible, without stiffeners, and using inner elastics. However, the custom sole I used was very thick and stiff. Because the sole was not flexible enough to bend with the foot, it constantly pulled back on the soft upper, dragging it right off the heel.
Everything was done correctly on its own, but the combination of these materials simply did not work.
How to solve this design problem:
Solution 1: Change the sole material. I could have used a thin, highly flexible rubber sole and left the soft upper exactly as it was.
Solution 2: Use stiffeners in the upper. I ultimately chose to add stiffeners to the upper because that specific, thick sole design was the most important visual element of the entire collection.
Focus on the entire vision when creating your shoes. Do it right, use the correct materials, apply a professional shoemaking approach, and do not skip any steps!
👉 Ready to learn how to design and construct footwear the right way?
To help you navigate the entire process of shoemaking—working with different materials, creating precise patterns, and making everything from flat ballets and sneakers to complex boots and welted Oxfords—I have created comprehensive step-by-step courses you can follow from home.
Lets make real shoes together. Check out my full programs here:
https://www.shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/")
