These steps will show you how to make your own shoes which will have the advantage of being a perfect size for you. And what an achievement to be able to say you made them yourself!
Shoe hunting in the shops is great fun, but how about shoemaking? If you are creative soul, you will most likely enjoy the challenge of making a unique piece of footwear. The instruments and tools you will need for a basic pair of shoes are readily available. And handmade shoes have the additional benefit of being modified for an ideal fit. Attempt to make your own shoes by following this guide for foot fashions.
When it comes to shoe design you have to make some decisions. You need to know what you want the finished product will look like. So you have to have a plan to follow. Take a couple of minutes to draw your design ideas for the shoe. Think of the general form of the shoe as well as the types of fabrics and materials you will use to make it.
1. Begin on the sole. The sole needs to be made out of stuff like leather or rubber. Why not use the soles from an old pair of shoes. Get a shoe in your size and draw around the sole, remembering to cut out two soles, one for the left foot and a reversed one for the right foot. Otherwise, look in an op shop for an old pair and take the soles from those.
2. Make the “upper” of the shoe. Here comes the part where you have a bit of leeway. It just needs your decision of the kind of shoe you want. Do you want a boot, sandal, or runner? Mostly a mould called a shoe “last” is used. Expand the last to the required size of the shoe you want. Cover with material or plastic and tie it tightly over the “last” so it does won’t move. Then cover over in tape using little strips as you go until you have covered the whole thing at least twice over in tape. When this is done, run a sharp knife or safety blade along the bottom of the last remove the masking tape pattern. Snip the pattern down the center (front and back) so the pattern lies flat. That is your shoe template completed!
3. Now get leather, material or canvas and cut out 2 patterns using your masking tape template. Don’t forget to turn the template over so that you get a right foot and a left foot template.
4. Now adhere the shoe upper to the sole using any kind of shoe cement (alternatively shoe nails or shoe staples.)
5. Put in insoles. Your new shoes will need insoles. This is easiest addressed by getting some from a shoe store. They will be the most comfortable. Stick them to the inside sole of the shoe with a proper shoe cement - crazy glue won't work.
6. Make eyelets for the shoelaces. If you are having shoelaces, just snip cut down the front middle of the shoe. With a hole puncher, cut out six or seven holes on each side of the flaps you have just created. Ensure they are well aligned. Thread in some shoelaces and your job is done! You've just learned how to make your own shoes!
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What is the History of Batik = What is Batik?
Most people have heard of Batik but many are not really aware of the process of batik or the history behind the origins of batik. Batik is an ancient craft dating back centuries and relates to hand drawing or hand painting involving wax. Wax-resist dyeing is the definition of the art of historical batik.
Wax is painted on to the fabric and the color is filled into the fabric between the wax. The instrument stated as used for this particular art form in Javanese cultures was called a canting. This is an item in design similar to a pen that was used to apply the design with the wax directly to the cloth. The wax is placed to stop the color running through to the next color of the design.
The wax is then later washed from the cloth leaving only the color hence the white lines you will always see on batik. There are then of course a variety of designs that are sold as batik but are actually made using more traditional methods and while the look may be similar they are not in fact original or true batik.
Batik is considered a traditional art in many Asian countries. In Javanese the definition of the word Batik is writing with wax. In Indonesia for example there are traditional batik colors mostly darker shades of indigo, dark brown, white and violet, which are used in representation of four main Hindu Gods. Other countries in Asia, as stated, are also traditionally using batik techniques, such as India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma etc. There are also some West African countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and Uganda among others which also use batik all of which will be in varying degrees of the same original historical form of batik.
1500 years ago you could also find the wax style batik cloth in Egypt and the Middle East. Today you will find that Batik is a more commercial form of artwork often on sale in tourism rich countries for purchase by travelers. Almost all Asian countries will be offering up modern and traditional designs of batik and you will be amazed at what there is available however whether they are creating original historical forms of batik or not can only be known by requesting to visit with the artist while they are in fact creating. Of course if they are carrying out the traditional form of batik you, having been made more aware of what the art actually is, will be able to immediately tell for yourself if they are original batik designs or just a very good impression of this ancient art form.
Many Javanese temples also have beautiful stone statues sculptured on their walls however confirmed historical proof of these designs being batik is as yet to be determined. They could in fact have been created using a weaving technique rather than the traditional batik. No doubt in the future there will be proof of these facts and it will be clear which traditional and historical art form was used in the creation of these amazing designs.
It is also said that there were specific Batik designs that were created for Javanese royalty and these particular patterns can only be worn by royalty whilst other regions in Indonesia offer their own patterns unique to their region. There are others however who deny that batik was meant for royalty alone and that it was a form of art created for all people.
Thanks to modernization you are easily able to purchase batik. Whether it is traditional or not you now have the tools to check for yourself. If the artist is not willing to show you how they are creating the designs then it is in all likelihood that they are using a modernized form of batik and therefore while still beautiful you will not be purchasing a traditional batik. Therefore just because the cost of a particular batik is perhaps more than another it does not also mean that it is original.
Ask the artist to show you their work space and see for yourself whether you are getting the real thing. If you find you are not do not despair you will come away with a wonderful piece of art work either way to add style and flair to your home just don’t go passing it off as an original batik!
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Wax is painted on to the fabric and the color is filled into the fabric between the wax. The instrument stated as used for this particular art form in Javanese cultures was called a canting. This is an item in design similar to a pen that was used to apply the design with the wax directly to the cloth. The wax is placed to stop the color running through to the next color of the design.
The wax is then later washed from the cloth leaving only the color hence the white lines you will always see on batik. There are then of course a variety of designs that are sold as batik but are actually made using more traditional methods and while the look may be similar they are not in fact original or true batik.
Batik is considered a traditional art in many Asian countries. In Javanese the definition of the word Batik is writing with wax. In Indonesia for example there are traditional batik colors mostly darker shades of indigo, dark brown, white and violet, which are used in representation of four main Hindu Gods. Other countries in Asia, as stated, are also traditionally using batik techniques, such as India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma etc. There are also some West African countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and Uganda among others which also use batik all of which will be in varying degrees of the same original historical form of batik.
1500 years ago you could also find the wax style batik cloth in Egypt and the Middle East. Today you will find that Batik is a more commercial form of artwork often on sale in tourism rich countries for purchase by travelers. Almost all Asian countries will be offering up modern and traditional designs of batik and you will be amazed at what there is available however whether they are creating original historical forms of batik or not can only be known by requesting to visit with the artist while they are in fact creating. Of course if they are carrying out the traditional form of batik you, having been made more aware of what the art actually is, will be able to immediately tell for yourself if they are original batik designs or just a very good impression of this ancient art form.
Many Javanese temples also have beautiful stone statues sculptured on their walls however confirmed historical proof of these designs being batik is as yet to be determined. They could in fact have been created using a weaving technique rather than the traditional batik. No doubt in the future there will be proof of these facts and it will be clear which traditional and historical art form was used in the creation of these amazing designs.
It is also said that there were specific Batik designs that were created for Javanese royalty and these particular patterns can only be worn by royalty whilst other regions in Indonesia offer their own patterns unique to their region. There are others however who deny that batik was meant for royalty alone and that it was a form of art created for all people.
Thanks to modernization you are easily able to purchase batik. Whether it is traditional or not you now have the tools to check for yourself. If the artist is not willing to show you how they are creating the designs then it is in all likelihood that they are using a modernized form of batik and therefore while still beautiful you will not be purchasing a traditional batik. Therefore just because the cost of a particular batik is perhaps more than another it does not also mean that it is original.
Ask the artist to show you their work space and see for yourself whether you are getting the real thing. If you find you are not do not despair you will come away with a wonderful piece of art work either way to add style and flair to your home just don’t go passing it off as an original batik!
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
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