This project will take you approximately 6-8 hours to make from start to finish. The shoemaking tutorial is designed for total beginners to make from home.

To watch the tutorial, you will need to purchase the Mary Jane Shoemaking Kit.

Before you get started making your Mary Janes, I'd recommend you watch through the whole video tutorial below (at least once) BEFORE you start making anything.

All of the shoemaking components are included in your kit, the only additional tools you'll need are:

• A regular domestic flatbed sewing machine (you can read our recommendations here)
  
• A small jar to decant the glue. We supply some here.
  
• A safety beveler or skiving knife.
  
• A heat gun.
• Leather hole punch.

STEP 1

Use your Mary Jane pattern to cut out the leather and lining pieces, remember to flip the pattern to get left and right feet.

Glue and stitch your uppers together.

IMPORTANT REMINDER - This glue is a contact adhesive which means that it must be applied on both surfaces that you want stick together. It also needs time to dry BEFORE you stick it down.

STEP 2

Attach the insoles to the base of the shoemaking lasts using masking tape. Apply glue all around the base of the insole, as well as on the lasting allowance of your lining. Once the glue has had a moment to dry, stretch the uppers (this process is called "lasting") over the lasts and stick the lining in place under the insoles. Trim away any excess.

Top Tip: Trace your insoles before you start, and use this later as your Last Bottom Pattern.

STEP 3

Next you can insert your stiffeners using your heat gun. Trim any excess.

STEP 4

Next, last the upper layer and glue in place. Trim any excess. Use cork to create a flat surface across the bottom of your Mary Janes.

STEP 5

Your kit comes with pre-made and ready to use soles. Place the mary-janes on the soles and trace around the outside edge with a heat-erasable gel pen. Then glue the soles right up to the edge and the bottom of your Mary Janes right up to your pen line with strong solvent-based glue. Give these a moment to dry - I'd recommend also giving the the soles a blast with a heat gun to make sure the glue is nice and dry.

STEP 6

Once the glue has dried and feels tacky to the touch, go ahead and stick your Mary Janes to their respective soles.

STEP 7

Use a 'Last Bottom Pattern' (the pattern of the bottom of your shoemaking last) to create an insock for your Mary Janes. Glue a layer of leather to your foam before tracing and cutting out your insocks to create a nice padded layer for comfort.

Top Tip: Trace your insoles before you start, and use this as your Last Bottom Pattern.

I recommend you watch through this whole video (at least once) BEFORE you start making anything.

Ok, let's do this!

To watch the tutorial below, you will need to purchase the Mary Jane Shoemaking Kit.

How to make your Mary Jane Uppers:

How to last your shoes and add the finishing touches.

⭐️ The process for finishing a simple ballet pump and a Mary Jane is exactly the same, so you can follow the same steps below but with your Mary Jane uppers. ⭐️

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