SHORT COURSES IN SHOEMAKING & LEATHERCRAFT

one on one tuition from an experienced hand in a fully equipped artisan studio

Every so often, my workbench is cleared to put on my teaching hat. Individual tuition - tailored to suit your skillset. 3 day modules or shorter leathercraft sessions .

My next availability for tuition is August 2025. Simply email with your request of what you would like to learn or improve on and if a booking is available at a time that suits, a confirmation payment can be done online - easy!!

hand lasting in a shoe design modulehand cutting leather components

Tuition on a specific aspect of shoemaking

Already have some shoe making basics under your belt?

Spend quality time with specialised guidance through your next project.

Individual tuition sessions

in pattern cutting , closing, skiving,

last adjustinging, making heels, building soles

or any other shoemaking skill you wish to harness.

Belt or Collar Making Course

3hrs ( half day) session

what you will learn:

cut, punch, skive, bevel,

attach buckles, edging and finishing

these sessions in leathercraft can be booked

a month in advance in groups of 3 or 4.

Shoe making and leather supplies

various hard to find supplies are available

in small quantities, direct from my studio

LEATHER PIECES per square foot

toe puff pieces, leather stiffener pieces, zips, laces etc

leather offcuts ($ 10 bags)

SHOE LASTS $40 from my stocks of used lasts,

email me with size and shape to check availability

learn to design and create sustainable footwear - with repairable components

Spend some time on the beautiful island of Waiheke, honing your creative skills as you learn more about the art of leather craft and shoe design from a London trained bespoke shoemaker. Sue is a qualified teacher with years of experience using traditional equipment and methods of construction. Some basic shoemaking design knowledge is essential to allow for an exploration into furthering your skills in this discipline.

A bit of R & R in between classes is highly recommended with great outdoors activities and a wide choice of places to stay.

making leather insoles

bottom stock construction techniques

Course Options - materials are included

ADVANCED HAND MAKING modules for returning students / studied elsewhere - I offer 3 hour sessions in any of the following -

pattern cutting sessions for specific styles, last building (to measure), adjusting toe shapes on the last, building heels, wedges & platforms, veldschoen & slip lasting techniques, machining guidance – sewing ,skiving, finishing machines – operating and maintenance, knife sharpening and skiving techniques. FEES from $195 (half day) all materials excluded for these sessions.

Early bookings are recommended, minimum 3 or 4 months in advance required. Please enquire with you proposed course and times or days of week preferred. If I have dates available to suit your choices, I will send a booking form with details

from start to finish creating a 3D form from a flat pattern

Sandalmaking

a nice way to enter the world of shoes, learn some basic leathercraft skills & make a pair of veg tanned sandals

what you will learn: cut, punch, skive, bevel, dye, glue, buckles, rivets

Starting from here ... day 1

to here ... day 2

an example from a variety simple styles of veg tanned leather sandals.