Handmade Shoes!

Yes, I make shoes for myself.  My feet are B width, but the heels are A width, meaning that shoes that fit me at the front, slide off the back.  So I can't wear slip-on shoes, only shoes with a strap or ties.  Until I made my first pair of slip-on shoes sized in every way for my particular feet, that is.  And I love them.

Making the pattern for your foot is a long involved process, but to me it was worth the effort.  I don't have a whole lot of shoes, but the ones I have now fit me well, and they don't squish my toes, or have plastic inserts around the toes to prevent the leather from stretching — everything I don't like about store bought shoes.  You can see the slip-ons on the right, and my first pair of tie shoes on the left.  They are both very comfortable to walk in.  They are both made of leather. Vinyl, or fake leather cause my feet to burn, just like most man-made fibres.  Give me natural materials every time.

I am almost finished another pair of tie shoes that are a precursor to making myself a pair of lined winter boots starting with the same basic pattern.  There's a lot of measuring involved, and you have to make a mock up to make sure the pattern will fit the way you want it to, but it's worth it.  And it's another creative outlet.  Every time I do it, I learn more, and I have a better idea of what will work for next time.  After the boots, I think a new pair of sandals because my last store bought pair are very worn...