Moccasins!

We are finalizing a few mocassin designs for a new class. They are looking pretty sweet. We will post a schedule of classes and some photos in a few days.

Sandalmaking: 6 hours – $225

Many styles of sandals will be available to customize for yourself during this class. A variety of soling and strap designs will be explored and students will create a pair of sandals with a wide selection of hardware and leathers. You will learn how to create and install straps, attach buckles or other closures and decorate with the findings and hardware available. You’ll be able to wear your sandals home after class. Only 6 students per class.

Visit us at the Creative Chicago Expo!

Join us at the 2013 Creative Chicago Expo this weekend!

The Creative Chicago Expo connects Chicago’s creative community with resources they need to thrive. Through keynotes, workshops, vendors and more, get professional development expertise from top local and national providers! This event is for creative individuals and organizations in design, culinary, fashion, film, music, dance, theater, literary, and visual arts–and of course, shoemaking and leather working!

Making a bag for Mom

Great Project Story!

Searched forever to find someone who could sew leather in Chicago so I could make my mom an overnight bag from a hide I got from work. Sara, the woman behind Chicago School of Shoemaking, not only knows how to sew leather but you can take a class and learn how to be a true designer and make clutches, shoes, earings, etc etc! SO MUCH FUN!!! I didn’t know what to expect but I loved it. 5 hours on a Saturday with her and we had a beautiful finished bag.

Intermediate Leather Work: 6 week class – $350

Prerequisite: Exploring Leather Work, or advanced leather skills.

We’ll be focusing on finer skills, hand stitching and lacing, more knowledge and experience with vegetable tanned leather and formation and construction of interesting handles as well as zipper installation. Training and use of the industrial sewing machine on site as well as elaborate edging techniques make this class series a good choice for the more serious leather worker. There will be many opportunities for your own designs to be incorporated into class projects. All materials, hardware and use of tools are included.

Patternmaking: 1 day – $550

Discover and learn the art of patternmaking for custom made shoes. Create patterns for new styles and design shoes on paper, creating patterns for your designs that will fit you and others you know. Understanding the structure of a shoe and the variety of details that can be modified are the goals. Sizing for all shapes and sizes of feet included. Class focus is on patternmaking. No actual shoes will be made during class. Includes all materials and use of tools on site. (Beginning Shoemaking is a prerequisite.)
Classes scheduled upon request

Gift Certificate Discounts

For a limited time, a gift Certificate from us is discounted 20% at purchase. This is a good way to make your dollars go further to promote learning and skill building at the School. We wish you the Very Best this season! And if you’re in town next week, visit us at the One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart downtown. Booth 7117 ( link is for comp tickets) We are displaying student projects and selling gift certificates as well as selling products that you could have made yourself in our Leather Work Classes. Come See us!!!

Exploring Leather Work: 6 week class – $295

This hands-on fundamentals course is for people who want to learn how to make items and projects out of a variety of weights and types of leather. Whether you have done some leather work on your own, have already attended a workshop at the school or have never worked with leather before, this is the best class to refine your skills and move forward to more intricate projects and advanced classes.

In 6 weeks we will cover all the basic information students need to complete 5 different projects. We explore many aspects of working with leather: cutting, gluing, shaping, dyeing, hardware, and finishing techniques. Patterns and projects are provided as well as many choices of leather types and colors. You will also have time and space to work on independent projects of your own designs as the class progresses. All materials, hardware and use of tools are included.

Feel free to download this pdf of the class syllabus.Exploring Leather Work Class Syllabus 2013

Beginning Shoemaking: 2 days – $895

You will learn how to make a pair of desert boots by hand. The school provides patterns for you based on your feet measurements for a custom fit. These patterns are used to create leather uppers, midsoles and soles for the shoes. You’ll cut out the leather, prepare the materials and stitch the leather uppers to the midsoles, glue those to the soles and then form the upper. After a few finishing details, you’ll be taking home a pair of shoes you made yourself. Includes upper leather (8 color choices), midsole leather, insole pad, thread, glue, eyelets, rivets, shoelaces, sole material, patterns, 2 full days of instruction and use of tools on site.

Leather Work 101: 2 hours – $75

Leather Work 101 is a solid introduction to leather work.  There are 4-6 projects to choose from and a variety of leathers and hardware. You can modify and create your own patterns as well.  This is a fun, easy class and gives you a chance to make a few things out of leather like a cuff, a clutch or a wallet you can give as gifts or just wear and enjoy yourself. Set a snap, attach a rivet, install eyelets.  All materials, hardware and use of tools are included in the tuition.