Take a journey inside the factory
Pictured above are the many tools and pieces of equipment required to make a single pair of shoes. There are many different things that make great shoes and here we explain this process and some of the terminology you need to understand to be a cobblers assistant.
A shoe is only as good as its last. But what is the last? Basically it is a copy of the human foot with all the ins and outs and for every shoe style we need a last to form the finished article.
1. Cork filler for the bottom of the lasted shoes before the soles go on guarantees your comfort and a long lasting
2. The paper patterns used for the uppers and linings is used as a cutter guide and this process is often called "stamping". The pattern also determines how the fabric is cut and of course as part of this we have to make sure the tartan matches across the toes.
3. Glue
4. Toe puff (the white half oval shaped thing)
5. Folding hammer
6. Lasting pincers (also called lasting pliers)
7. Tack remover
8. Fabric scissors are used to cut the
9. Counter stiffener (for around the back of the heel and sides of the shoes. It gets stuck in betweenthe lining and upper )
10. Seat tacks (these hold the upper, stiffener and lining to the insole board around the heel part ofthe shoe. You may be able to see them on the lasted shoe in the image) these stay in the shoe
11. Lasting tacks. (Used to temporarily hold the fabric of the shoe in place whilst forming the shoeand gluing)
12. Sole
13. Insole board with built in cushioning
14. Heel - Depending on the height and style of heel you have chosen heels are pre-formed and then covered in the tartan of your choice. Take care when walking on gravel or sharp stones as it is easy to damage the fabric on narrow heels.
15. Platform unit (made of cork)
16. Platform cover
17. Lasted shoe with cork filler on and seat tacks in.