Instructor: Tasa Gleason

In this class you will learn how to make a pair of classic espadrilles!

Using pre-constructed soles, you will use your choice of fabric to make a personalized pair of your very own shoes. During the class we will analyze foot size and shape and determine how to fit the top of the espadrille to your personal measurements. Your shoes will be constructed using a combination of machine and hand sewing. You will use fabric naturally dyed in our studio for the exterior of the shoe and we will discuss design and embellishment options for these and future shoes.  

You will learn how to:

+ Assess your foot and determine the size pattern you should start with

+ Fussy cut fabric for desired placement on shoe

+ Reinforce fabric for more durable shoe

+ Assemble top of shoe and check fit

+ Attach top of shoe to sole with hand stitching

Prerequisites: This class is for the advanced beginner. You should be very confident in basic sewing, including sewing curves and sewing with accurate and consistent seam allowance, as well as operating your sewing machine.

Kit Options + Class Materials

When you sign up for Sew Your Own Espadrilles, you will select a material and tool kit to meet your needs. Since you are a somewhat experienced sewist, you may already own some of the tools in the Basic, Basic Plus and Deluxe Kits. In this case, feel free to select Essentials, which will get you the project-specific materials and tools for this class. In each case you will still need to bring a few supplies - please read carefully below! Whatever kit you purchase will be ready for you at the shop when you come to class. 

Essentials - $165
This kit includes:
+ 1/4 yard of hand dyed fabric for the outer of your shoes (see pictures for fabric choices)
+ 1/4 yard of natural, undyed fabric for the lining of your shoes
+ Espadrilles soles
+ Espadrilles needles
+ Espadrilles iron on stabilizer
+ 10 yards of thick cotton thread for hand stitching
+ 1 spool of machine sewing thread in a matching color
+ 1 A Verb for Keeping Warm Project Bag

What to bring to class: clear 2" x 18" ruler, fabric scissors, seam ripper

Basic Sewing Kit - $185
This kit includes:
+ All the materials and tools included in the Essentials
+ 1 Seam Ripper
+ 1 Clear 2"x18" Ruler
+ 1 box of 200 Glass Head Pins
+ 1 set of 20 Sharps Hand Sewing Needles

What to bring to class: fabric scissors

Basic Plus Sewing Kit - $205
This kit includes:
+ All the materials and tools included in the Essentials
+ 1 Seam Ripper
+ 1 Clear 2"x18" ruler
+ 1 box of 200 Glass Head Pins
+ 1 set of 20 Sharps Hand Sewing Needles
+ 1 pair of Fiskars Seamstress Fabric Scissors

What to bring to class: just yourself!

Deluxe Sewing Kit - $235
This kit includes:
+ All the materials and tools included in the Essentials
+ 1 Seam Ripper
+ 1 Clear 2"x18" Ruler
+ 1 box of 100 Merchant & Mills Glass Headed Pins
+ 1 set of 25 Merchant & Mills Hand Sewing Needles
+ 1 pair of Gingher Dressmaker Shears with sheath

What to bring to class: just yourself!

We will have sewing machines available to share and use during class.

Please let us know in your order comments which fabric and what size sole you would like! The soles are available US women's sizes 4-10 and run about one size large.

Not local but still want to make shoes? Great! We are offering these kits online as well, so you can get everything you need to construct your own pair at home.

1 session / 6 hours

Class Size:  9 students max.

Date: Coming Soon!
Time: Coming Soon!

Tasa Gleason holds a certificate in Apparel Design and Merchandising and has been working as a professional costume and apparel designer for over 15 years. She is the technical designer and pattern drafter for Verb’s line of sewing patterns and teaches sewing classes at Verb. Tasa makes over 50% of her own, and her family’s, wardrobe and hopes that her classes inspire others to create and work with textiles in whatever way fits their lifestyle. Currently Tasa works in the costume shop at Cal Shakes and designs costumes for several local dance companies.

$165.00