My primary fascination with shoe making is on the patterning side. Coming from a Drafting background and with 40 years at it I suppose that's no surprise. I've been pushing and pulling the typical parts for the Derby around for many years and find it endless.  This one was an attempt to find the smallest or largest pieces that could attractively arranged.  Designed and made to go along with us on the 2022 CCS Study Abroad trip to Italy they were first worn at Aki's retrospective opening in Florence.  Me and another Florentine friend Sevilay. An expat from Turkey. I have s ..read more

 This is the worst example of google take my life type of software this thing is having you down loa 3 - 5 apps every time you use it   thanks for for invading my life and no i'm not going to "upgrade so you can rob me further ..read more

Having corralled all of the required elements together I decided to make a complete sample from beginning to end. This process creates a sample or prototype and is not intended to duplicate a production solution The production guys have their own methods and techniques, This is a system that we could use in an educational setting. Software:     Nextengine     Shoemaster     Rhino     Dremel slicer Using the scanner, I got a complete scan of the last I chose The Next Engine scanner is a good choice ..read more

I am so much happier with the outcome of V2! I created a good adjustable strap and re-proportioned the entire piece. I mapped out the patterns on Rhino discovering half way into it that I could combine strap B (the 2nd strap from the front) and it's pad together with the sides making a far more efficient build. I have one last design change to tune some of the "theoreticals" in, but I'm wearing them now and they are going to NYC with me in a couple of weeks. The strap over the instep is ultimately the better choice than around the heel because it is easier to use for every day in and out ..read more

Everyone has there own "best way" this is the way I like to do it. Toe modification is common, I use leather, the sides are real easy this way too. Make one last Perfect then go after the the other, there is no point of doing them together until you are good at it or it is a simple change. I start with skiving leather strips and gluing them onto the last. The 5 in 1 is quick and easy Soak in water for a minute Fit and form Gorilla glue, staple stretch, and hammer The real trick here is to use the stretch tape. The stretch tape is a constant force over the entire area and also lets the ..read more

In the never ending quest for the perfect sandal this year I am working on a more layered design. I am already in the redesign phase for this one but I felt I should document how things went for V1 This is the 6th design iteration and they are comfortable. However I have not been able to get the velcro strap to work regardless of the type of velcro so I just sewed them closed. Earlier versions helped prove out the assembly sequence Initial idea has way too many lining parts! I am now down to two lining halves with a seam down the middle Some things you have to do to prove that you ..read more