Shoemaking School

Become the shoemaker you’ve dreamed of with start-to-finish shoemaking classes in Asheville, NC.

Asheville Shoemaking classes offer the

TOOLS

SKILLS

GUIDANCE

you need to create your custom pair of shoes.

Closeup of feet of people wearing handmade shoes lying in a circle with feet pointed inward creating a circle of shoes

Experience the SATISFACTION of walking around in beautiful shoes made by your own two hands!

Gain the SKILLS you need with the tools and step-by-step INSTRUCTIONS for successful shoemaking.

Shoemaking hand tools and leather pieces lying on a wood workshop table

Step 1

Choose Your Style

Beautiful pair of light brown handmade 10th Century Scandinavian Turnshoes

10th Century Scandinavian Turnshoe

The Scandinavian Turn Shoe is a 10th century style shoe with a thin leather sole similar to a moccassin. This shoe style is made inside out and then turned right-side-out so that the stitching ends up on the inside.

Handmade men's dress loafers in black & chocolate with lacing and thick soles

Internal Stitchdown Shoe

The internal stitch down is a more modern style of shoe that uses the same one piece upper and flap construction as in my Turn Shoe class but attaches to a commercial Vibram brand sole. Sole styles can be chosen for traction on terrain, cushioning on cement, or even straight leather for use on the dance floor.

Classes take place at Haw Creek Commons, in Asheville, North Carolina.
More Class Details

Step 2

Choose Class Dates

Handmade turn shoe in progress on workbench with tools and materials nearby

TurnShoe Class Dates

The class is four 8 hour days, running from 9am-5pm each day, with sewing home work / evening work on the 3rd day. The cost of the class is $525. All supplies, materials, and tool usage fees are included in the price of the class.

Only hand tools are used in the making of this style of shoe. Students will complete one pair of shoes during the 4 day class. 

Not Currently Scheduled

Patterns for cutting and stitching leather for handmade shoes spread out on a workbench

Stitchdown Class Dates

The class is four 9 hour days, running from 9am-6pm each day, with sewing home work / evening work on the 3rd day.The cost of the class is $575. All supplies, materials, and tool usage fees are included in the price of the class.

The shoes are mostly made with hand tools but there is a small amount of power tool usage in the making of this style of shoe. Students will complete one pair of shoes during the 4 day class. 

Not Currently Scheduled

Step 3

Register Now

The time for a sabbatical has come, during which Asheville Shoemaking will be working on exciting new designs and inspiration for future shoe classes and offerings.

I am teaching at the John C. Campbell Folk School from March 31st – April 5th. Come join me there if you can.

“The process of wrapping a protective layer of leather around our feet is 40,000 years old and, like fire, is one of the elements that defines us as humans.”

~ Instructor Michael Ismerio

“Michael is a master teacher.  Each step is spelled out on paper as well in class.  AND he makes it fun.  I have been so proud to wear my turn shoes.  I would love to do it again!”

Robin

J C Campbell Folk School, 2018