Shoe School 3-Day Introduction to Bootmaking

Leather, tools, glue, grubby hands, tired muscles and full imaginations - the 3-day workshop will make your cowboy-boot dreams come true!

This 3-day workshop is an introduction to bootmaking. Drawing inspiration from classic Western roper boots, you will create a short, made-to-measure pull-on boot with traditional pull tabs and a high-quality Vibram lugged sole. So if you’re up for the challenge Shoe School Lou would love to walk you through it at the Leffler Leather classroom.

This workshop is held over 3 consecutive days. If the dates don’t suit you – please get in contact and we’ll see what we can book in.

During this workshop you you’ll select your own upper leathers, sew the components together, and learn the art of lasting—using hammers, pliers, and tacks (the true stuff of shoemaking dreams!). To finish, you’ll attach the sole, give your boots a final polish, and try them on for the first time.

Then from 9-5pm daily the plan is -

Day 1

Trying on mock-ups, selecting leathers, and cutting out your uppers.

Day 2

Sewing the uppers. No experience needed—I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.

Day 3

Lasting (pulling the upper over a shoe form using tacks) and attaching the sole.

Please note: You’ll need to submit your foot measurements at least two weeks before the workshop. Full measuring instructions will be provided, along with phone support if you need any help.

Please note: This class involves the cutting of thick leathers using craft knives, hammering and glueing. (If you're interested in a gentler shoemaking experience, try the 1-day Sneaker workshop).

Classes are held 9-4pm over 3 days. A light lunch and refreshments are provided. Classes are limited to 4 participants.

Hi, I'm Lou! I launched Shoe School in New Zealand in 2015. Since then I've helped students create thousands of shoes of their own custom design.

I’ve been curious about shoemaking since I was a teen, obsessively saving for my 1st pair of purple 8-hole Dr Martens.

I wasn’t able to study shoemaking in NZ so I took a leap of faith and travelled to Australia. Back home I slowly, slowly began to collect antique shoemaking equipment. Gradually I built my own shoemaking studio, with an idea growing that perhaps one day I could teach - this was the beginning of the ‘maker’s movement’ and suddenly everyone, me included was fascinated by all things handmade. And so I doggedly built my studio, and practiced, practiced my craft. My single-minded focus paid off when I was invited to intern in Japan, where I honed my skills in bespoke techniques. More recently, I returned from the USA after immersing myself in the art of crafting cowboy boots.