What is a fitting trial for shoes?ย 

Do I need to run a fitting trial for my new shoes?  A shoe fitting trial or fit trial is a footwear brand’s process to confirm a new shoe fits correctly and feels good on the user’s feet. The goal of a fitting trial is to evaluate […]

Running Shoe Last Design

Running Shoe Lasts

The running shoe last is designed to create a lightweight, close-fitting, flexible shoe with enough heel lift for impact-absorbing cushioning. This last has a low medial sidewall that flares up to create extra toe space. This gives the shoe extra flexibility and helps hold the foot back into the […]

Footwear Pattern Making and Last Design Written and Edited by Wade and Andrea Motawi

The Shoe Last is First

The shoe last is the starting point of every footwear design and has been called “the heart of the shoe.” The last is the center of the entire shoemaking process. The shoemaker starts with the last and builds the shoe outward. The shape of the […]

Footwear Pattern Pattern Cutting: Step by Step Patterns for Footwear

Footwear Pattern Making and Last Design

Available Now! Footwear Pattern Making and Last Design Hey Shoemakers! So many of you have been asking for information on shoe lasts and pattern making. This book is for you, enjoy! Footwear Pattern Making and Last Design is now available in softcover and PDF download. […]

What is shoe last type shoe last chart

What is a Shoe Last?

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Footwear Lasts Shoe Last Function and Fashion The shoe last is the starting point of every shoe design and has been called “the heart of the shoe.” The last is the center of the entire shoemaking process, in […]

Fashion Patternmaking Techniques for Accessories Antonio Donnanno

Footwear Pattern Making Books on Amazon

Shoe Patternmaking Book Reviews: I’ve read many books on shoe design and patternmaking, and I’d like to share my reviews of some currently available. Here is a selection of shoe trade books on patternmaking that you can find on Amazon.com. Fashion Patternmaking Techniques for Accessories: […]

Shoe Construction Techniques

Shoe Lasting Constructions

Once you have designed your shoe, you need to decide which shoe lasting type or construction technique is right for your shoe. Shoe “lasting” is the shoemaking operation that sets the final shape of a shoe and holds it in place so the outsole can […]

The sneaker course: design, pattern making, and prototyping

The sneaker course: design, pattern making, and prototyping Starting in the summer of 2019, Arsutoria Shoemaking School is launching a new month-long course in sneaker design. The sneaker course: design, pattern making, and prototyping. This 4-week course is offered in Milan, Italy. You will also […]

What is a Shoe Pattern

Shoe Paper Pattern & Outsole Drawing Now Available!

Complete Shoe Paper Pattern & Outsole Blue Print You can buy a real shoe pattern! This pack contains the computer cut shoemaking pattern for the Arris classic jogger. This footwear pattern is cut from heavy paper stock and is just what you will find in […]