DIY Network

Making Shoes, Part 1: Make the Templates Get started building your own shoes! From "B. Original" episode DBOR-413

Step out in style when you do it yourself.

Michele Beschen has wanted to build her own shoes for quite a while – and the final product is worth the wait. In this special four-part project, the B. Original host shows all parts of the process, from making the initial templates to giving the shoes a final shine.

This project builds a new pair of shoes based on an existing pair you have that fit. Michele Beschen recommends you choose a simple, chunky shoe – don't try to duplicate something delicate or complicated the first time out.

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Part 1: Make Shoe Templates

Materials:

For this part: old pair of shoes piece of thin wood or luan band saw, scroll saw or hand saw paper spray adhesive sharp craft or utility knife

For later steps: 4x4 piece of wood or assorted wood boards contact cement one piece of rubber stair tread power sanders mineral spirits polyurethane pieces of leather decorative upholstery tacks nails or plain tacks hammer or air nailer double-sided tape heavy-duty scissors fabric or leather trim (optional)

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Scour the closet for a pair of shoes that you want to duplicate – and that you're willing to take apart. A good choice: a pair of shoes you love so much you completely wore them out, but still don't want to throw them away. Michele Beschen recommends using a chunky, sturdy shoe – the shape will be easier to duplicate.

• Once you’ve chosen a pair of shoes to use as your prototype, take both shoes apart. Remove everything until all you are left with is the bottom part of the shoe. Don't throw away the pieces you remove: You'll need some of them later in the project.

• Create a template for the side or profile of the shoe: Place the shoe on its side on a piece of thin wood such as luan and trace the shoe's profile onto the wood (figure A). Cut out the template using a band saw, scroll saw or hand saw (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and use caution when using a power saw or other power tools. Follow all of the manufacturer's safety instructions.

• Stand the shoe up on a piece of paper and trace the "footprints" of the shoes – the areas that actually come in contact with the ground when you walk.

• Apply some low-tack spray adhesive to the top of the disassembled shoe and smooth a piece of paper over the shoe. Use a sharp craft knife or other sharp blade to cut around the shoe and create a template of the inside sole (figure C). Remove the paper and mark whether it goes with the right or left shoe; repeat the process for the other shoe.

  Note: Don't cut too close to the shoe when cutting the template. If you end up with a little extra material, it's easy to sand down. If you cut it too small, you can't put the wood back on.
  

  	PDF Click here for the size 8 top template.
  	PDF Click here for the size 8 side template.

• You should now have paper templates for the top and bottom of both shoes, plus a wooden template for the side profile of the shoe.

• If you wear a size 8, you can download Michele Beschen's own shoe templates to use — just click the links at the right.

Go to Part 2 to cut out your shoe soles.