Hand-made Cork Shoes
Hi There!
Today I want to share with you my step-to-step guide on how to make your very own hand-made cork wedges.
If you are looking to challenge yourself, this might just be the project for you!
Gather Your Equipment
What you will need:
I recycled all of my equipment and borrowed tools. However, I have linked each piece of equipment and added a price guide in case you need to purchase something specific!
Make a Wedge Pattern
Firstly, using a lead pencil trace the heel of a wedge shoe onto an A4 sheet of paper.
Make a Jig Out of Cardboard
Cut out the traced wedge with scissors and trace it onto a piece of cardboard. Using a cutting tool, cut several layers of cardboard and paste the layers together using Tarzans Grip Glue.
Trace the Base and Inner Sole of Existing Shoes:
Trace the base of a wedge and the inner sole of a sand shoe onto an A4 piece of paper using a permanent marker.
Repeat this process twice - one for your left foot, and one for your right.
Create a Shoe Sole
Cut out the traced paper heel base, trace the cut-out onto the black placemat and cut it out using scissors.
Create the Wedge
Trace the inner sole cut-out onto a slab of cork, and cut it out using scissors.
Repeat this process 10 times.
Create the Wedge
Using Tarzan Grip Glue, glue the layers of cork together, one by one.
Shape the Wedge
Place the layered cork onto the cardboard jig and press down using your hands to ensure you get the right shape. You will then need to clamp the cork in place and leave it over night to dry.
Create the Heel
Cut out another 10 layers of cork to use as a heel.
Shaping the Heel
Ensure the pieces of cork are cut smaller the further you get to the base of the shoe.
Create a Base and Glue the Cork Together
Cut a piece of cork the length of the shoe to create a base, and glue the pieces together. Clamp them over night to dry.
File the Wedges
The next step involves filing the sides of the wedges to ensure that there are no rough edges, and you cannot see the joining seams.
Glue on the Sole
The next step is to glue on the black sole that you cut out in step 4 using a hot glue gun. Leave to dry.
Sketch & Develop Inspiration for the Uppers
With the cork step complete its time to think about the uppers.
Create some sketches of possible designs, or alternatively look on Pinterest or Instagram to source some inspiration.
Make a Pattern
Make a cardboard pattern and cut out the pattern using scissors.
Cut the Material According to the Pattern
Using the pattern, cut the material accordingly.
Stitch the Upper Together
Sew the material together using a needle and thread.
Glue the Upper Onto the Cork
Using a hot glue gun, glue the upper onto the cork. Leave to dry.
Pin the Ribbon Tie Onto the Wedge
Using a suitable ribbon, pin the ribbon into the back of the cork wedge using dressmaker pins.
Whoo Done!
And there you have it, your very own hand-made cork shoes! Simple as that!
Love,
IsabellaDelaine x
Feedback!
Here is some feedback that I have received from two university students who have completed the tutorial. Let me know your thoughts too!