GippsTAFE Shoemaking

GippsTAFE is offering its first shoemaking course in the Warragul area

By Eimear McNelis - 12th September 2002 - Back to News

GippsTAFE is offering its first shoemaking course in the Warragul area, taught by Shoe Maker and Sculptor Rhonda Storm.

Ms Storm set up a shoe manufacturing business in Melbourne in the 1980’s, then moved to Meeniyan in Sth Gippsland and opened a shop called "The Long Last Shoe Co" , later Storm Shoes, making leather and fabric shoes, a range of sandals and leather covered sheepskin boots and baby shoes.

"The unique factor of the course is that it is accessible to most people, as the shoes are hand cut, hand stitched and lasted on their own feet," said Ms Storm.

"The course is directed to the person who gets a kick out of saying ‘I made them myself’ when complimented on their creation."

The shoe design is adaptable to suit male or female. They can have a high ankle boot look with tongue and laces or can be cut away into a slip-on style; it is all up to the participant.

There is a selection of colour dyes for the leather and different pre-coloured and textured leather for decoration.

Every course participant finishes with a very unique custom made pair of shoes.

Topics covered in the course include: taking an accurate foot measurement and tracing, designing the upper and sole shape patterns, working with leather and fabric, using hand tools, stitching methods, using the shoe glues and sanding and finishing methods.

"The course offers participants with no previous shoemaking experience a starting point," said Ms Storm.

"It is the first time the course has been run in Warragul which is really exciting."

For more information on the shoe making course please contact GippsTAFE on 5623 2740.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com