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bespoke shoemaker
The Procedure
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At your first visit
The first appointment is likely to take about 45 minutes.
I will measure your feet around all the most sensitive points, making extra
allowance for irregularities, whilst paying attention to any special
instructions or requests you may have for me.
The bespoke service provided allows you to take an active part in
the design and production of your shoes.
From choosing the style, through the selection of leathers to the shape
of the toes – you can specify your requirements in these and many more aspects.
It is important that you have at least some idea what you
require before the initial appointment, and that you are able to give me a
brief account of whatever problems you may have had in obtaining footwear in
the past.
When choosing the style of shoe you want, I will offer
what advice I can on what suits your own particular needs. My aim is always to produce shoes which are
comfortable, but which provide support and present a pleasing appearance. I have a wide selection of leathers of
different shades, textures and finishes, from finest calf or suede to the softest
kid. The traditional hand-made process
I use ensures that the leather remains soft and supple at tender points but
firm and supportive where needed.
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Making
your shoes
A pair of lasts, or wooden formers, is fitted up to your
measurements, making a sympathetic, stylish shape for your shoes.
These lasts can be made as broad or narrow as you require
and can easily be altered during the making of your shoes, to ensure a good
fit. Broad joints, narrow heels,
bunions, high insteps, tender feet, swollen feet, odd feet, etc can all be
accommodated.
The patterns for your shoes are made up from paper formes,
taken from the lasts and after cutting out, the pieces of leather are stitched
together.
fitting lasts making formes decorated boot uppers
At this stage any fancy stitching or decoration which you
have chosen, is carefully worked in to the design to enhance the shape of your
feet and the appearance of your shoes.
Leather
insoles are now fitted to the lasts and the uppers pulled over and tacked, so
that they take up the shape of the lasts.
After two days on the lasts, the uppers are sewn to the
insoles, the lasts removed and the shoes prepared for a try-on. You will be asked to make a second
appointment for this.
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The
second appointment
At this point you will be able to try on the shoes - they
will behave in much the same way as a finished pair. It is important that you tell me of any discomfort during the
fitting as any alterations to the fit or shape of the shoes are much easier to
make at this stage. If slight
alterations are necessary these may be made while you wait, but in some cases
getting the right fit may require a further visit in two or three day’s time.
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Completion
Once
you are happy with the fit, the shoes will be finished and ready for wear
within a few days of the final try-on.
hand welting sole
stitching
Outer
soles can be of leather or non-slip rubber compound, lightweight or sturdy,
depending on your requirements. If,
during the first weeks of wear, minor alterations are necessary, these will be
carried out free of charge. I also
offer a postal repair service to ensure that you get the best and fullest use
out of your shoes.
(Measuring,
making, fitting and final alterations are all carried out by me personally.)