Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
I recently got a massive collection of different shoe lasts for my studio. (P.S. If you want to know how to get the exact shoe last you need right now, read until the end!)
Just standing there looking at all of them, seeing the subtle differences in their shapes, curves, and volumes, it hit me. There is absolutely NO WAY a beginner can look at a random shoe last and clearly understand what they are getting.
Is it a boot last? A sandal last? A pump last?
If you buy a random last online and try to build your design on it, your shoes simply will not fit right. All your hard work, time, and expensive leather will go to waste! Every single shoe last has a very specific geometry, heel height, and instep volume meant for a specific type of footwear.
That is exactly why I created a very in-depth guide explaining all the different shoe last types and how to understand them. You can read it to learn how to properly "read" your tools and avoid these costly mistakes.
đ Read the guide here: shoemakingcoursesonline.com/shoe-last-types
But if you want to skip the guesswork and get the correct shoe last right nowâalong with a complete, professional shoemaking toolkit ready to goâI have a great opportunity for you.
Right now, you can get the exact shoe last you need, plus all the essential tools and materials, included when you join my 2-Year ShoemakerPRO Program.
đ Head to the link in my bio/below to get your toolkit and start learning from A to Z:
shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/1-year-pro
I recently got a massive collection of different shoe lasts for my studio. (P.S. If you want to know how to get the exact shoe last you need right now, read until the end!)
Just standing there looking at all of them, seeing the subtle differences in their shapes, curves, and volumes, it hit me. There is absolutely NO WAY a beginner can look at a random shoe last and clearly understand what they are getting.
Is it a boot last? A sandal last? A pump last?
If you buy a random last online and try to build your design on it, your shoes simply will not fit right. All your hard work, time, and expensive leather will go to waste! Every single shoe last has a very specific geometry, heel height, and instep volume meant for a specific type of footwear.
That is exactly why I created a very in-depth guide explaining all the different shoe last types and how to understand them. You can read it to learn how to properly "read" your tools and avoid these costly mistakes.
đ Read the guide here: shoemakingcoursesonline.com/shoe-last-types
But if you want to skip the guesswork and get the correct shoe last right nowâalong with a complete, professional shoemaking toolkit ready to goâI have a great opportunity for you.
Right now, you can get the exact shoe last you need, plus all the essential tools and materials, included when you join my 2-Year ShoemakerPRO Program.
đ Head to the link in my bio/below to get your toolkit and start learning from A to Z:
shoemakingcoursesonline.com/on-line-courses/1-year-pro
![[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 ifâŠ
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.
Itâs easy to get stuck on these, but the solutions are often simple techniques that professionals use every day. Iâve 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 Iâll 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 processâyou also need to know how to sharpen it, maintain it, and hold it correctly.
Thatâs why this exact knife is included in the Tools & Materials Kit with my 1-Year Pro Shoemaking Program.
You donât need a million tools. You need the right toolsâand the skills to use them properly.
đ 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 shoesâa mistake that completely ruins the comfort and feel of your footwear. When designing shoes, many beginners ignore the importance of matching the right materials.
Letâs 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 shoesâvery 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!
đ Ready to learn how to design and construct footwear the right way?
To help you navigate the entire process of shoemakingâworking with different materials, creating precise patterns, and making everything from flat ballets and sneakers to complex boots and welted OxfordsâI 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/")
