Thank you! They use cow & pig skin to make shoes but also fabric as some people prefer not to use animal skins. They were actually fairly easy to make. We drafted our patterns off lasts, transferred to paper. Then cut the pieces & sewed together. We lined the footbeds in foam with suede lining. Stretched and fit back over the lasts. They also use a cork filler before adherence of the bottom sole. Then screwed on the heels with a power drill. Before putting footbed in. They use normal Janome machines, not industrial. The lady who founded it went to school for shoe making & so did all her employees. Honestly not a whole lot of tools besides a beveler, scissors, tape, glue, cork filler, leather, foam, and the sewing machine. I’m actually trying to go back & take more classes soon.
It is totally worth it! You’ll have fun & meet people from around the world. I’m still in contact with my friends I met there. Enjoy the class! Thank you for the compliment!