Hi 👋 Katie from the team here!
I've had these platform sole units hidden away under my desk for a while now. I knew I wanted a kinda classic style shoe but wasn't sure exactly what to make - so I pulled together a little mood board:
After pulling together this mood board, I decided to make some contrast stitch platform mules out of an espresso brown leather. I also decided to introduce some cut outs at the side.
Let's break down the making process:
Step 1: First I cut out the uppers and linings using the slider pattern. I amended my pattern by cutting semi-circles out of the sides. I decided I wanted a folded topline so I used water based glue to glue this down in place before stitching.
Step 2: I then stitched the uppers together with a contrasting white thread. I did 2 layers of stitching, one for keeping the folded edge secured down and the other for decoration. I also stitched around the semi-circles at the sides for decoration.
Step 3: I then glued the platform unit using strong solvent based glue. I also glued my leather for covering this in the same glue.
Step 4: I covered my platform unit with the same leather I used for my uppers.
Step 5: I cut out my insoles out of texon board. I also added a layer of foam for comfort.
Step 6: I then covered the insoles with the same espresso brown leather. I skived the bottom of the insole to create a flat surface with a safety beveler.
Step 7: Then I glued the base of the platform unit so that I could glue my resin soling on. I used strong solvent based glue for this.
Step 8: I then glued down the black resin soling. I used 2mm thick resin soling.
Step 9: I then glued the upper to the insole board and skived away the excess to create a flat surface on the bottom of the insole board.
Step 10: I then glued the base of the insole and the top of the platform unit with the strong solvent based glue. I then pressed my insole into place to complete the shoe.
And here are the finished shoes:
