#shoemaking class

[rachaelgray]

Back at The Last

So after two years, I am FINALLY back in the new and improved shoemaking shop/school with my favorite teacher, and I am making a pair of wedge boots from scratch.

Even though I struggled with some pattern drafting weirdness today, being here reminds me why I love shoemaking so much. Nothing makes me as happy as developing and workshopping designs, working through a pattern's complications, selecting leathers, the terror of "one chance to get it right" sewing, lasting (I absolutely ADORE lasting), and collaborating with a group.

I promise I'm taking lots of photos for all of you, and will post some process pics when I have the boot pattern done. See, the pattern is taking a while because I chose a last with a beautiful toe shape and a 5" heel rise, and many basic patterning rules have to be adjusted to account for the intense angle of the foot. A lot of these quirks could probably be solved in obvious ways if I had more experience to fall back on, but as it is, I am struggling a bit. Yet I don't mind the struggle. It forced me to create a whole number of different techniques to account for these quirks in the pattern. None of them worked, but I enjoyed the creative problem solving nonetheless.

I'm off to bed, but I promise there will be more shoemaking fun soon!

[rachaelgray]

Shoemaking Class update part 3

You might be wondering why I'm not in Oregon right now, taking the next shoemaking class in the series. 

Here is what the current plan looks like:

The next class was already full, and although my teacher was willing to let me into the class, it would have been crowded in his tiny little studio. It made more sense for me to wait until the next round of classes in 3-4 months. The plan is to re-take the course I already took, but acting more as a teacher's 2nd than a student. Then I will take the 2 week class a few weeks later, again working as an assistant but still learning a lot, and then the following month take the 10 day class to make fetish boots. 

In the meantime, I'm aiming to set up my little studio space so I can practice my ass off and thus get more from those classes when I do take them. If I can sew leather with ease and last quickly, then I can really focus on precision and gaining deeper skills from the master craftsman with whom that I am taking classes. It just makes sense to utilize his 30+ years of knowledge on things other than "help me sew this, I'm scared!". 

So, don't think I've given up on taking classes! I'm just waiting for the next round of them. (I thought he only offered them once or twice a year, but he's decided to make teaching a more full-time thing).

[rachaelgray]

T.A.

Although I do not know very much about the real limitations of shoe design, I do know how to think in 3d and draft patterns. Today the class was working on patterning our shoe designs, and one of my classmates was really struggling with the concept. I did my best to explain the process and why each step was important, and by the time I asked her to explain it back to me, she clearly understood it. I went back to my own work, cutting out my wonky looking design. That was when my teacher pulled me aside and quietly asked me if I would like to continue doing what I just did. He said, "you have an excellent way with words and clearly explain concepts I struggle to find words for," before offering to pay me/discount my future classes if I was willing to help him by being a teacher's assistant!

I was so shocked, my modesty kicked in. "Oh no no, you don't have to do that," I said, "I really enjoy teaching. There's no need." But he said that was exactly why he would like my help. Who am I to argue?

Day four of shoemaking class, and I'm already becoming a teacher. Oopsy! 

[rachaelgray]

After taping the last and making a Mean Form, we began using tape to easily create nice curves and design the shape of the high heel.