Shoe Making Unit: Travel and Transport

Being able to make and repair shoes was a handy skill to have, especially with eight children because shoes could be passed down to a younger brother or sister.  Shoes were expensive to buy and hard to get because shops were located in big towns far away.

To make shoes, leather was cut out using the curved blade.  It was then shaped and stitched around the shoe last or mould.  Thick leather and metal caps were nailed on for the sole.  The metal caps helped the sole last longer when walking on rough roads or through paddocks.