Moccasins!

We are finalizing a few mocassin designs for a new class. They are looking pretty sweet. Sneak Peeks at Mocassins from the School Work Bench

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.

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!!!

One of a Kind Show Tickets

Access your free tickets to the show HERE. Visit us in Booth 7117

RAVENSWOOD ART WALK Tomorow and Sunday

This is your chance to drop by the Chicago School of Shoemaking and see what we’re up to over there! Check out the leather projects and the shoe options and meet the Master Cobbler. Hope to see you!! 11-7 on Saturday and 11-6 on Sunday. Look for the school banner over the front windows and enter on the North side. 4723 N Winchester. Just South of Lawrence and East of Damen.

New Leather Work Classes and Classroom

We’ve got a lot of new things going at the school—one of which is a new classroom across the courtyard!

This will allow us to hold classes in 2 spaces at once.  We have a new class starting on the 20^th called Intermediate Leather Work, designed to take the Exploring Leather work to the next level.  We’ll be focusing on finer skills, hand stitching and lacing, more knowledge and experience with vegetable tanned leather and interesting handles and zipper installation.  We don’t have the syllabus completed at this time, but I know many of you have been waiting for the next class in the series.  We will still be running the Exploring Leather Work on Tuesday nights for 6 weeks for those of you who want to repeat that class.  As you know, we’ll still be doing similar projects as before, but there’s always new leathers and hardware to incorporate.

And for those who are itching to jump into independent bench time, we are VERY close to having the new space done which will house that.  I really appreciate your patience with us as we’ve been finalizing details on a system that will keep that space and tools available for you on a pretty regular basis.

Please sign up asap—there are only 6 spaces in each class.

Renegade Work Shop Booth #76

Please tell your friends to visit us at the Renegade Craft Show this weekend. We are displaying the leather projects and shoemaking process that the school is offering. For $5 you can make a cool leather piece out of the materials we’re bringing to get you excited about taking a class. In exchange, you get a coupon for $5 off a leather working class or $50 off a shoemaking class! Love to see you at the show.
Booth #76 is near the corner of Division and Honore.