Shoemaking Course June 2023
Another course week has come and gone, and as always, it was a blast! We had a group of five students who were all eager to create their very own Air Max 1 sneakers. We kicked off the week with a quick introduction before diving into the design process.
It was interesting to see that some students had already fully conceptualized their designs, while others preferred to start brainstorming with us in the studio. Both approaches are totally cool! However, if we may offer some advice, we do recommend coming prepared with a rough design in mind. This saves time and allows us to delve deeper into the art of shoemaking itself. Designing your sneakers can be done through various methods. We personally use the ProCreate app on our iPads, but you can also work with Photoshop or any other editing software. Alternatively, you can always print out the template and color it in by hand.
I want to take a moment to highlight one particular design—the Air Max 1 Master Scrap. Normally, we strongly discourage beginners from attempting such a complex design for their first shoe ever. However, this student came prepared beyond belief, and we just couldn't say no. At VIJZ, we always strive to provide the best experience possible. Since it was more intricate, we offered this student some extra support. But now, let's get back to the rest of the group.
Once all the designs were finalized, it was time to discuss with the students which specific details they wanted to incorporate into their sneakers. There are various methods for adding these details, but the most common one is through the use of an embroidery machine. Check out the photo gallery below to see the chosen details our students went for.
With the preparations out of the way, we dove right into the machines. But before we let our students loose on the sewing machine, we made sure to familiarize them with it first. Every sewing machine is different, and we want you to tackle your shoe-making journey with confidence. That's why we spent some time practicing specific shapes and lines. Once the practice sessions were over, the students could finally start bringing their own shoes to life!
Throughout these days, Team VIJZ made sure everyone received ample guidance and achieved a beautiful end result. If we ever had doubts about something, we simply did it again or made it better!
"The wonderful thing about a shoemaking course is that you spend five days working on something amazing with a small, unfamiliar group of people. You get to know each other better, and it just keeps getting more enjoyable. At the end of the week, you not only walk away with a gorgeous shoe you've created, but also with great memories," Words of Claudia at the end of the course.
Looking back, it was an incredible week of learning and creating, and we can't wait for the next course from August 7th to 11th. Will you be joining us?
Check the results of our students below
