Making Shoes and Boots

Photos were taken at Colonial Williamsburg by Grace Smith

1. Before a shoemaker could make shoes, wooden lasts had to be carved.  "Lasts" were blocks of wood carved into foot shapes, in sizes small, medium, large. 

2. A leather "upper" was stretched over the wooden last and fastened with glue until it was time to be sewn to a sole. The sole is the underside of the shoe.

3. The shoemaker pounded the sole of the shoe and then used a sharp awl to make holes.

4. The shoemaker removed the upper from the last and sewed the sole and upper together.

5. The shoemaker cleaned and polished the shoe and added a heel.

7. The shoemaker hung finished shoes in the shop to encourage buyers to purchase them.

More Resources About Shoemakers and Their Trade