The frame technique provides the most reliable way I have found to successfully make patterns for custom shoes and sandals. Perhaps you became interested in shoemaking because you don’t have standard-shaped feet – this technique could be just what you are looking for!
The technique is based on the assumption that these shoes will be stitched by hand (although a few people in my shoemaker’s gathering are working on stitching shoes on a sewing machine), so getting stitch marks matching between the upper and the sole is essential.
I have made videos that show the technique. One is made using the technique over a very wide and deep last representing a foot – https://youtu.be/gASfeyd268c. The next is made over an actual foot – https://youtu.be/5tMtFNIY2E8. And here’s one for making custom sandals – https://youtu.be/XVVIK-fZYxQ.
I hope you’ll give “the frame” a try – please email me if you have questions about the process – . It would be wonderful to see you at a zoom shoemaker’s gathering where you can also ask questions – it’s 1st and 3rd Monday evenings, 7:00 EST – just send me your email request so I can send you the link.
I hope this technique will be useful for people who might like to make custom shoes for family and friends, and possibly as a small business. Have you thought about starting your own shoemaking business?