Skip to main content

The Book

Current technical literature for uppermaking has not been available for decades, and the content of older literature has limited validity today. This is especially true for the application of contemporary orthopedic shoe technology.

Master students of orthopedic shoe technology have long complained about the lack of comprehensive technical literature, which was the trigger for starting this work.

However, uppermaking is a very complex craft. In addition to the various possibilities in patternmaking, the important knowledge about the different types of leather, about the multitude of other materials, and also about knives, tools, skiving, splitting, sewing machines and much more is essential.

This did not make the selection of topics easy, which is why the authors coordinated the contents together with orthopedic shoemakers, bespoke shoemakers, master shoemakers and specialist teachers.

Since there is also a lack of current specialist literature on uppermaking in other countries, the professional exchange extended to dedicated colleagues from seven countries. For individual chapters, further experts from other fields were consulted.

In addition, the book should not only deal with the contents relevant to the Orthopedic Shoemaking Technician Master’s Examination, but also with the aspects of the newly amended occupational profile of “Bespoke Shoemaker Uppermaking Specialist”, as well as many other interesting topics relating to the making of uppers.

Originally, there was to be only one book, but it proved impossible to accommodate the topics identified in the surveys in a single work. Therefore, there will now be three volumes with a total of about 600 pages, with hundreds of photos and graphics, which comprehensively depict the craft of uppermaking. Nevertheless, each of the three volumes stands alone and completes its respective topics. Information about the contents of the three volumes can be found here.

Whether as preparation for the Master Craftsman’s Examination, for your own upper production or for a professional design discussion with your customers, you will find this work an important aid!

Even those who purchase uppers from external suppliers will find much in this work to facilitate communication with an external uppermaker as well as the design discussion with the customer. The contents will also help to convince your customers of your professional competence in consultation meetings.

  • A first-class book! I am very impressed by the detailed descriptions. I have never had such a well-written reference book in my hands. I really appreciate it and am very glad to have my own copy. I hope the next installment comes soon.

    OSM László Urbán – Emmerich am Rhein / Deutschland
  • Passing on knowledge and not keeping it to one’s self is very valuable, especially for the younger generation in our craft. The book provides detailed background knowledge and explains step by step how to make the different types of uppers. The book is fantastic and I have also heard from other shoemakers that they also really appreciate the book.

    Alexander Fröhlich – German-French bespoke shoemaker
  • Finally a technical book that deserves the name! It has a sensible and clear structure. The topics are well explained but not bound up with excessive detail. Each step is explained in a usable and accessible way. The illustrations are brilliant! You can feel the enthusiasm of the authors on every page.

    OSM Clemens Hagen – Nagano / Japan
  • A monumental work! It is impressive how comprehensively the authors have approached the subject.

    OSM Christian Härdi – Schöftland / Switzerland
  • A fantastic work whose true greatness can only be appreciated by those who have read it. It makes one crave for even more.

    OSM Bernd Franke – Bad Wildungen / Germany
  • Although we are all looking forward to the English translation arriving in our workshop, here at Bill Bird Shoes in the UK, it will be a confirmation rather than an addition to what we have already learned and put into our practice through the wonderfully illustrated German edition.

    Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaker William Robert Bird – Moreton In Marsh / England
  • I am delighted that the authors have taken the time and effort to write so extensively on this subject. I don’t think any reader can comprehend the amount of work that goes into such a work. This book is a true milestone for the craft.

    OSM Martin Kreitmayr – Hessing Foundation in Augsburg / Germany
  • You have managed to produce a superlative work! I can truly recommend it to everyone.

    OSM Katja Streckhardt, lecturer for uppermaking at the Orthopaedic Shoe Technology Training Centre Southwest (BOSS) / Germany
  • A first-class book! I am very impressed by the detailed descriptions. I have never had such a well-written reference book in my hands. I really appreciate it and am very glad to have my own copy. I hope the next installment comes soon.

    OSM László Urbán – Emmerich am Rhein / Deutschland
  • Passing on knowledge and not keeping it to one’s self is very valuable, especially for the younger generation in our craft. The book provides detailed background knowledge and explains step by step how to make the different types of uppers. The book is fantastic and I have also heard from other shoemakers that they also really appreciate the book.

    Alexander Fröhlich – German-French bespoke shoemaker
  • Finally a technical book that deserves the name! It has a sensible and clear structure. The topics are well explained but not bound up with excessive detail. Each step is explained in a usable and accessible way. The illustrations are brilliant! You can feel the enthusiasm of the authors on every page.

    OSM Clemens Hagen – Nagano / Japan
  • A monumental work! It is impressive how comprehensively the authors have approached the subject.

    OSM Christian Härdi – Schöftland / Switzerland
  • A fantastic work whose true greatness can only be appreciated by those who have read it. It makes one crave for even more.

    OSM Bernd Franke – Bad Wildungen / Germany
  • Although we are all looking forward to the English translation arriving in our workshop, here at Bill Bird Shoes in the UK, it will be a confirmation rather than an addition to what we have already learned and put into our practice through the wonderfully illustrated German edition.

    Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaker William Robert Bird – Moreton In Marsh / England
  • I am delighted that the authors have taken the time and effort to write so extensively on this subject. I don’t think any reader can comprehend the amount of work that goes into such a work. This book is a true milestone for the craft.

    OSM Martin Kreitmayr – Hessing Foundation in Augsburg / Germany
  • You have managed to produce a superlative work! I can truly recommend it to everyone.

    OSM Katja Streckhardt, lecturer for uppermaking at the Orthopaedic Shoe Technology Training Centre Southwest (BOSS) / Germany

The Book

Book production in Germany, by Medienhaus Blömeke in Herne (bloemeke-media.de). High-quality paper (FSC certified, from sustainable and controlled forests) with a high opacity and brilliant color reproduction, printed climate-neutrally. Durable binding with round spine.


More than a Book – Online Bonus Material:

The books each come with a bookmark which has an unique access code printed on it for bonus material on the website.

Further interesting content will be made available there on an exclusive basis. Parallel to the three volumes, a comprehensive uppermaking glossary will be available there. Historical technical books are being digitized and can be accessed along with other interesting topics related to uppermaking.

Hartmut Seidich
Schirrmannstraße 20
D-44653 Herne
textbook@uppermaking.com

With the sale of the textbooks we support the work of the Kuehn Foundation

Hartmut Seidich
Schirrmannstraße 20
D-44653 Herne
textbook@uppermaking.com

With the sale of the textbooks we support the work of the Kuehn Foundation