Quilted Kicks: Make Your Own Sneakers Workshop

Your favourite fabric has spent long enough folded on a shelf. It’s time to take it out into the world—on your feet.

We're thrilled to have Jessie Roorda teaching this one! In this full-day workshop, you’ll transform your own quilted fabric into a pair of completely individual sneakers. Bring the colour, the print and the personality; we’ll supply the shoe-making essentials, sewing machines and guidance needed to bring everything together.

This is part sewing class, part footwear engineering and part very satisfying magic trick.

Class details

Time: 9.30am–4pm
Price: $250 per person
Sneaker sizes: EU 36–43
Skill level: Confident beginner to intermediate

Is this class for me?

You don’t need any shoe-making experience, but you do need to know your way around a sewing machine.

You should be able to thread a machine, sew a basic seam and work independently between demonstrations. We’ll guide you through all the unfamiliar shoe-making parts, including sewing thicker layers and assembling the finished sneakers.

This isn’t a learn-to-sew class—but if you’re a comfortable beginner ready for something wildly more exciting than another cushion cover, you’ll be right at home.

The plan for the day

We’ll work through your sneakers one stage at a time, including:

• Cutting the upper and lining pieces for your chosen size
• Positioning your print so your favourite motifs land in the right places
• Building and shaping the sneaker uppers
• Sewing through quilted foam and structured layers
• Choosing between a bound or clean unbound finish
• Setting the grommets
• Adding the soles, laces and finishing details

Our aim is to have you leaving with a finished pair—or very close to it—and all the know-how needed to complete them confidently.

Your place includes

Your sneaker kit will be prepared for your selected size and includes:

• Sneaker soles
• Size-specific pattern
• Grommets
• Use of a sewing machine
• Full-day tuition and individual assistance
• Snacks, tea and coffee

With only five places available, there’s plenty of time for questions and hands-on help throughout the day.

A little homework before the fun begins

Your main fabric must be quilted onto foam before class.

This bit matters. If everyone arrives with their fabric ready, we can spend the day making actual shoes instead of losing half the workshop to fabric preparation.

You may use fusible or non-fusible foam. 

Once you book, we’ll email you clear preparation instructions so you know exactly what needs to be completed before the workshop.

Pack your sewing tote

Please bring:

• Your main fabric, already quilted onto foam
• Lining fabric—no quilting required
• Laces, or the materials needed to make your own
• Bias binding ready to sew, if you would like a bound finish
• Lunch

There’s no need to haul your sewing machine along—we have one ready for every participant.

Bring lunch from home or pop out to one of the local cafés within easy walking distance. Snacks will keep us going between shoe-making milestones.

How much main fabric will I need?

As a general guide:

• EU sizes 36–40: One fat quarter is usually enough
• EU sizes 41–43: You’ll need more than one fat quarter

Bring a little extra if your fabric has a large-scale or directional print, or if there’s a particular motif you want to feature prominently.

Ready to make the best shoes you own?

Choose your size, claim one of the five seats and start auditioning fabrics. Subtle is allowed—but absolutely not required.