Online shoemaking course

Discover the traditional shoemaking techniques to make sneakers from home.

In our factory workshop in London we’ve made 1000s of shoes and taught 100s of students— now learn everything we know online.

Perfect for beginners with step-by-step tutorials

Join our global online community of shoemakers

FREE patterns to get started

LIFE-TIME ACCESS — LEARN AT YOUR PACE

$199

select your course

DUNK Sb

Shoemaking Course

Air JorDan 1

Shoemaking Course

AIR MAX 1

Shoemaking Course

“This shoemaking course is the real deal - traditional techniques for shoemaking from actual cobblers.”

What you get

PDF DOWNLOAD

Shoemaking handbook

Assembly walkthrough

Patterns in
your size

Step-by-step video tutorials

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What our students say

  • Lux the shoemaker

    I flew from Toronto, Canada to London to attend the course and it was one of the best decisions I ever made, hands down. This shoemaking course is the real deal - traditional techniques for shoemaking from actual cobblers. I found many of the courses in North America to be more focused on customization and used a lot of short cuts in their approach. If you want to learn actual shoemaking and understanding how sneakers are engineered from start to finish I would recommend LSS over the others.

    Lux Yogasegaran
    Shoemaker

  • I’ve been wanting to go on LSS’s sneaker making courses for ages!! I’m so glad I was finally able to because I loved every minute. Thank you so much for so patiently teaching, keeping everything on track and helping me out when I got stuck. I learned some really invaluable skills and knowledge about shoemaking I can’t wait to take forward. This course was well worth it and I finished feeling confident to pursue shoemaking as new skill!

    Stella
    Custom artist

  • I was offered the opportunity to attend LSS from well known street band, Broken Planet to join the 5 day Jordan 1 course. I really liked the creative space we were in and the friendly staff. It really helped me understand the structure behind my favourite Jordan silhouette.

    Jordan
    Artist

  • I was searching for shoe making courses and i’ve seen many courses but the course that attracted me was London Sneaker School course, their website is simple and straightforward, no complications at all. I really loved the atmosphere and the energy of the instructors, they explain any point to the furthest and tiniest detail so you get the point.

    Ali
    Bag maker

  • The course was totally amazing! Gotta say it was one of my best weeks I’ve ever had. Very cool teachers and students. I always wanted to take customs to the next level and that course exactly reached me that, how to be creative and design and make my own pair of sneakers. I learned how to sew, glue and much more. I would recommend it because in comparison to other snesker schools the price is stunning! Also it‘s an amazing experience for everybody who wants to create something with their hands.

    Aris
    Customiser

  • Couldn’t have done this without the chaps at LSS. They were knowledgeable, experienced and most importantly been very approachable throughout.⁠ I would recommend it to anyone interested in making their own sneakers.⁠

    Damon
    Craftsmen

  • I've never sewn, I've never 'clicked' (cut) leather, I've never lasted. The teaching was so hands-on, so detailed and supportive, I was able to emerge with a great pair of shoes from scratch.

    Matt

Example lesson

Punching your vamp perforations and stitching your mudguard

what you’ll learn

This course has been designed for you to follow step-by-step — craft your own pair of Air Jordan 1s, Dunk SBs or Air Max 1s at home.

We teach transferable shoemaking skills for you to apply to your own customs, brands or career. We take no shortcuts in the process to make teaching easier — our methods are based on traditional manufacturing processes for sneakers.

Our teachers are lead and taught by London Sneaker School founder Thomas J. Rowe. Thomas has been making footwear in London for over 12 years and currently makes shoes for films and productions such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel and more.

At the end of this course you’ll have made a pair of sneakers using traditional shoemaking techniques.

  • This lesson provides an in-depth look at the essential tools and equipment needed for shoemaking. You'll learn about the different types of shoemaking tools, their specific uses, and how to choose the right equipment for your project. This foundation is crucial for both beginners and experienced shoemakers to ensure precision and quality in their work.

  • Guided by our experts, you'll delve into the intricate process of patterns. Lay the selected leather on the pattern templates and trace the outlines meticulously, ensuring accuracy in every contour. This step is critical as it sets the foundation for the entire sneaker construction process.

  • This session focuses on the various materials used in shoemaking. You'll learn about the different types of leathers, fabrics, and other materials, their properties, and how to choose the right material for different types of footwear. This knowledge is essential for both aesthetic and functional aspects of shoemaking.

  • This lesson is all about the process of clicking and tracing in shoemaking. It covers the techniques for accurately cutting leather and other materials, the importance of tracing for pattern precision, and tips for minimizing waste while maximizing the aesthetic appeal of the materials.

  • Skiving is a critical skill in shoemaking, and this lesson focuses on mastering this technique. You will learn about the different types of skiving tools, the techniques for thinning leather and other materials, and how skiving contributes to the comfort and fit of the finished shoe.

  • This lesson brings together the components of the shoe. It covers the steps and techniques involved in the assembly process, including stitching, gluing, and aligning different parts. The focus is on precision and technique to ensure a well-constructed and durable shoe.

  • Lasting is a key step in shoemaking, and this lesson is dedicated to it. You'll learn about the purpose of lasting, how to choose the right last for your shoe design, and the techniques for stretching and molding the shoe material over the last to achieve the desired shape and fit. This step-by-step lesson will run you through how to last your own shoe from home.

  • This lesson focuses on the technique of removing an outsole from a shoe. It's an essential skill for shoe repair and customisation, where you'll learn about the tools and methods for safely and efficiently removing old outsoles without damaging the rest of the shoe.

  • In this lesson, you'll learn about attaching a new outsole to a shoe. The session covers the selection of appropriate outsoles, preparation of the shoe for attachment, and the techniques to securely attach the new outsole for both aesthetic appeal and long-term durability.

enrol today