Repairing a pair of leather shoes involves replacing the worn-out sole of the shoe with a new one, cleaning the interior of the shoe, and making fixes to the uppers of the shoe.
Every pair of shoe is a little bit different in terms of its exact needs, but here are the common steps for a full resole:
Remove the old sole: First, the old sole needs to be removed from the shoe. This is done using a shoemaker's knife to carefully cut away the stitching and any remaining glue.
Clean the shoe: Once the old sole is removed, the shoe needs to be thoroughly cleaned and prepped for the new sole. This includes removing any remaining glue, sanding the sole area, and smoothing out any rough edges.
Prepare the new sole: The new sole is then cut to the size and shape of the shoe. The shoemaker may use a pattern to ensure an exact fit. The sole is then sanded and smoothed out.
Stitch the new sole: The new sole is then stitched onto the shoe using a special sewing machine. The shoemaker will use a special thread and needle to ensure a secure and long-lasting bond.
Select the Sole Type and Glue the new sole: Leather or Rubber soles? After stitching, the new rubber sole is glued onto the shoe using a strong adhesive. The shoemaker will carefully apply the glue to ensure an even and thorough coating. Some leather soles are sewn on.
Trim the new sole: Once the glue has dried, the excess sole material is trimmed away using a shoemaker's knife. The shoemaker will carefully trim the sole to ensure a clean and finished look.
Finishing touches: Finally, the shoe is cleaned and polished and any necessary touch-ups / repairs are made to ensure a clean and professional appearance to the uppers of the shoes.