Pattern Making Process

So this week I have been working on the patterns for the pair of heels I had designed for Wednesdays post just gone. Im hoping by Sunday I should have them pretty close to finished (they should be up on the blog next Wednesday since its my birthday weekend) so on that note enjoy the progress pics and hold tight for the finished beauties! :)

10 Day Challenge...so far

This whole week has been about making and designing. By Wednesday I had 4 shoes designed but hadn't quite settled on the two pairs of heels I wanted to make. I had just about figured the choice of leathers I wanted to use on the footwear and went about making the first few designs because I'm queen of procrastination and didn't want the fact that I couldn't figure out the last few designs to stop me from making. So with nerves and apprehension I present to you my first few steps of my collection so far. (This is only a working project to get me training so the collection isn't quite cohesive but I have tried my best to keep the collection looking like a range!)

Snake Skin High Heel Sandals

Yesterday was my last full day at the ICMS Studio before getting prepared for Curacao. Now even though I'm totally hyped for it, I always get bogged down with things I need to get done before I leave, this time it was footwear. I wanted to make a pair of high heel sandals, along with espadrilles and complete my sisters flat shoes. I did bits and pieces on the espadrille and the shoes for my sister and managed to complete a whole pair of snake skin high heel sandals. Below are some of my process images and the final outcome. I adore them and can't wait to put them on in Curacao, they took me about 3 hours to complete, with help from my boss. High Heel sandals have an instant satisfaction just because the progress is instantly visible as its a shorter process. I'll be making more in no time! Add me on Instagram: @madebykirenmodi or follow me on snapchat for more instant updates; kirennnmodi

High Heels High Hopes

....is on the Road!

I come across talented shoe makers on social media regularly, I'm either mesmerised by the designs and the quality of the hand made shoes, or in awe of the process videos they make, each one with their own little touch of personality depending on the maker. I often wonder what their studios are like, what tools they prefer using, their favourite style of shoes and most importantly what I'd be able to learn from them if I was ever able to meet them. A couple weeks ago, I had an epiphany, while planning what to pack for my holiday to Curacao (part of the ABC Islands - that are just off the coast of Venezuela). I set off with my family and boyfriend next week to see my uncle who works out there so we can commemorate my Dads life (Im hoping holidays around this time of year becomes a regular thing! - Much prefer remembering my Dad this way!). My uncle has mentioned a number of times a shoe maker who's studio isn't too far from where lives, instantly I was intrigued. My aunt had sent me pictures of sandals she had made by the shoe makers in this very studio and I was hooked. (this is where the epiphany comes in) I figured this would be a fantastic way to meet shoe makers and see how they work; while travelling - documenting the beautiful journey along the way through the blog. With this in mind, and the power of social media I thought I'd put the feelers out to see whether any of you guys know any shoe makers in the below locations or if indeed you are a shoe maker yourself and would like to be featured on the blog! Feel free to comment with the names and websites of the shoe makers you have in mind!

Curacao : 18th - 27th March 2016

Washington DC : 11th - 18th June 2016

New York : 18th June 2016

Hong Kong : 8th - 12th September 2016

Tokyo : 12th - 24th September 2016 (exact number of days here TBC)

Kyoto : 12th - 24th September 2016 (exact number of days here TBC)

Practice Makes Perfect 

Handmade pointed flat lace ups

Pointed flat lace up inspo

Now that I have a better routine in place and the modeling has calmed down, I have been able to make time for designing and making. This week I was able to start lasting a pair of flat pointed lace up shoes, that I have been meaning to complete for a while. The shoes will be for my sister as I have used a size 4 last and will have eyelets attached to the uppers to have laces looped into them. Now this is my first time attempting a pair of flats with an intricate upper detail, where the stitching doesn't take its usual route around the top line. I have designed the upper with some areas that are quite intricate especially where stitching is involved.  Lasting the lining became quite a challenge, with making sure both shoes mirrored each other. I only managed to get to this stage as I had no toe puffs or counters to put in place. I will be completing this at some point this week (follow me on snapchat for the rest of this project : kirennmodi) and Im hoping this part will be a bit easier to complete. See below for some of my process shots so far - sorry the quality isn't amazing; I took the pictures via snapchat!

Taping the bottom of the last to get a sole pattern

All taped up

Tape pattern on paper so i have a firmer pattern to draw around when transferring to Texon Board

cut out pattern

Texon and foam cut out.

Gluing the foam to the texon board.

Covering the foam and texon with leather

Pleating the leather around the board.

Using the clicking knife to skive the pleats and excess leather off.

Attaching the insole boards to the lasts and then attaching the uppers with masking tape.

Uppers attached to last and the lining lasted to insole board.