Kinky or Fashion Boots

11 Day Workshop Course
Held when the moon is right, this unique bootmaking course is a trip to the wild side. Call for dates 541-951-0952.

The Kinky-Fashion Boots Course is a chance for students to release all blocks to creative expression. When there are few, if any rules, creativity can quickly bubble up. And, when society’s norms are pushed, the rebellious, creative, craftsperson suddenly appears. We believe that a risky experiment will, in the long run, serve a student far better than a safe repeat…creativity is found more in the mistakes than the successes.

The rules for Kinky-Fashion Boots are simple: high heels a must, platforms welcome, wild and crazy leathers, materials, and trimmings preferred (you wont believe what’s available), no boot lower than knee high — higher is encouraged — and zippered entrance. Above all, you must have a love of sexy footwear and a sense of humor!

While the topic is giddy, the skills you will be learning are the same as professionals use to make high quality custom made boots.

A generous materials allowance is included in the tuition and we are happy to order, or help you order, unique materials as well as special trimmings to enhance your bootmaking adventure.

Dates: See Registration page for current workshop dates »

Cost: $2,150
All materials provided. As in all courses, students are interviewed prior to the course so that the appropriate leather, last, and embellishments are available upon arrival. You are also counseled on what works and what doesn’t. If you choose to work in fabric, you must bring at least three yards, at your own expense.

Class Duration: 11 days

Prerequisites: Sewing experience, courage, instructor’s approval.
For inspiration, see the movie Kinky Boots!!!

Class size: Maximum of 4 students

Class Schedule (one hour for lunch)
Day 1: 9am – 5pm, The Basics

• Measuring and fitting of your foot
• Measuring the leg
• Discussion of design dynamics for high boots. Discussion of your style goals, as well as the goals of the group
• The choice for inside/outside platform must be made at this point

Day 2: 9am – 5pm, Starting to see a boot pattern

• Instruction in elements of design, materials, and what works/what doesn’t
• Taping of your last
• Creation of your mean form (paper pattern that represents both sides of your last (shoe form)
• Creation of your leg pattern
• Blending of your foot mean form with your leg pattern to create your complete boot mean form. Now you have a complete boot pattern on which to create your unique style

Day 3: 9am – 5pm, Getting Creative

• Designing your style. Consideration of style elements: inside platform, outside platform, faux lacing, heel style, zipper placement, embellishments, practicality, proposed use etc.
• Under close supervision you create your “look” and tentatively establish your style lines.
• Group discussion and brain storming to raise the creative bar.
• Cutting and sewing of a complete boot and foot canvas drape to insure leg and foot fit. This is your trial fitting.

Day 4: 9am – 5pm, Getting ready to assemble your boots

• Adjust your paper boot mean form if necessary
• Finalize your styling lines and sectionalize your patterns (cutting parts and adding seam and lasting allowances
• Cut your upper and liners
• Add facing and reinforcements if necessary
• Install zippers.

Day 5: 9am – 5pm, Assembly – The Boot Appears

• Mark critical alignments points for lasting
• Close (assemble) your boot, sewing zippers (previously sewn to uppers) to liners.

Day 6: 9am – 5pm, Lasting

• Last boot
• Cement liner to insole
• Cover heel

Day 7: 9am – 5pm, Stiffeners

• Add stiffeners to heel and toe
• Re-last heel and toe
• Cement uppers to your insole and liners
• Scour boot bottom for sole and heel cement attaching

Day 8: 9am – 5pm, Soling

• Attach heels to your boots (several techniques demonstrated)
• Create sole pattern
• Create your sole, exploring different types and finishes

Day 9: 9am – 5pm, Soling continued

• Attach soles to your boots
• Add top lift
• Detailing, cleanup, add sock liner

Day 10 & 11: 9am – 3pm, We’ve got a boot

• Final finishing,
• Individual and class evaluation of results, creative jamming
• Individual and class photos, boot photos
• Distribution of class notes and source list
• Strut!!!

Go to the Registration page »