Footwear Design and Construction
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£875
- Start Date(s): 22 February 2025, 11 August 2025
- Duration: Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm, five weeks or Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
22 February - 22 March 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
11 - 15 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
On this practical course you’ll learn the basics of design and construction techniques to create flat sandals, high heeled open toe mules or heeled slingback sandals.
You’ll be introduced to the technical aspects of footwear construction and its components, from the pattern cutting process to creating a finished pair of shoes with the perfect fit.
This course is for anyone who has a personal or professional interest in footwear who would like to develop the knowledge and skills needed to produce their own made-to-measure shoes.
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You’ll leave with your own pair of flat sandals and heeled open toes mules or heeled slingback sandals. -
By the end of the course you will also have the skills and technical notes to design and construct your own projects and continue making after the course. -
A certificate of attendance will be awarded upon completion of the course. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work.
What you’ll study
Using creative teaching techniques and clear, step-by-step guidance you’ll unravel the process of shoe making, a skill that’s traditionally thought of as difficult to master.
As your technical making skills progress, you’ll develop your understanding of the design process to create your own patterns to continue making shoes after the course.
With only six places offered, this course provides you with one-to-one attention to ensure you leave with the skills and knowledge to continue shoe making as part of your profession or purely for personal enjoyment.
- be introduced to women’s footwear construction techniques
- understand the terminology used in the footwear industry
- develop an understanding of how to use footwear tooling
- learn the pattern-making process and use your pattern to make a pair of shoe
- check the fit and design of your pattern
- learn how to add a lining, sole, in-sock and heel
- develop stitching skills to create your uppers and practice hand-lasting
- select the most appropriate materials for your designs
- complete your shoes with the right finishes, incorporating different materials and trims.
You will be provided will all the tools and materials you will need to create your shoes.
How you’re taught
This is a hands on, practical course taught on the Nottingham Trent University city campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 30 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Bonington building at the City Campus, our dedicated art and design hub.
You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the leather and accessory design studios.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: No experience in shoemaking is required. Basic sewing skills will be an advantage.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £875.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you to the first day:
- a note book and pen
- a camera to record your processes
- an A4 file to take home your pattern pieces
- any materials you may wish to recycle and incorporate into your shoes.
If you’d like to do some pre-course reading, you can look at:
- Fashionary shoe design handbook, this is a great introduction to key design tips.
- Vintage shoes by Caroline Cox, good for anyone with an interest in ladies footwear, it's a great overview of footwear history.
- Footwear news is a great website that covers everything from business to trends.
- Refinery 29 is another website for latest trends and inspiration.
- Shoelust, is a never ending blog of shoes and there is such a variety! This is one of your tutor Laura’s all-time favourite websites for ladies footwear.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
22 February - 22 March 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
11 - 15 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our fashion, textiles and costume short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813