Shoe Repair 101 - Can I do it myself?

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Hello again! I hope Jonathan will jump in and help me on this one!!

I picked up 2 pairs of awesome shoes this week at antiques malls while I was searching for buttons (gotta have my buttons!). I passed up one pair of cork platforms because the cork was falling off in HUGE chunks, but I picked up these two pairs because I thought that with a little TLC I could restore them to near original condition or at least they'd look better than they do now. I've got little feet and I was ECSTATIC to run across vintage shoes that actually FIT me!!!

The first pair is a pair of wooden platform wedges with vinyl . I grew up with a Dad who taught me how to woodwork so I don't have any issues with restoring the finish on the wedges, but I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a glue to use to glue down the raised fabric above the wedge heel? I'm sorry, I don't know the term to use for this part of the shoe. Also, what can I use to disguise the areas of the vinyl fabric (faux leather) areas that are peeling off? You can see a few of these spots in the pictures. These shoes are for me so I don't feel bad trying to find something to make them look good for me to wear them. Here are some pics:


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wedge1.jpg



wedge2.jpg



The next pair is a pair of wooden heels. Do you guys think it's okay to tear off the remainder of the label that's falling off? I think it reads "Jacques Cohen, Made In Spain". And the leather needs some TLC, what do you recommend for treating/cleaning leather? The wood is not finished but it's a little chipped near the toes and discolored on the top, presumably from sweaty feet. I can gently sand these areas (by hand) to bring them back to near original condition. The grain of the wood reminds me of oak - definitely not pine or poplar (soft woods)!!


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And. lastly, can anyone recommend a book or a source for shoes styles and terminology? I'd greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks in advance!!!

Patti
 
What a blast from the past when seeing the bottom pair, as a teenager in the 1980 a relative from Switzerland stayed with us for 3 months she had a pair just like that. I remember them because they were not the sort seen her in the UK at that time , my older sisters and mother did not have anything like them with high wooden heel.How she walked in them just amazed me, as a 16 myself so did she ( 19 or 20 women)
They must have been fashionable in Europe that's why apart from your photo I know they were made from beech wood, It's are and easy to machine and take a nice finish I would suggest a light sand with a fine grade sand paper, sanding in the same direction as the grain.They would have originally be varnished with a weather resistant varnish, so lightly re vanish with a clear polyurethane one again, or water proof modern acrylic
To stick leather try a contact adhesive here it's call Evo Stick (brand name), I little is always best with glues and try it on a small part first to test there is no reaction with the material. Wax polish feed the leather if it's dried out, but you could always seek advice from some where that knows about leather like a shops that sells horse saddles, and they might have something special for restoring leather.
I hope that's been some help.
Paul.
 
What about gluing down the label instead of tearing it off. I am not sure what glue overall, but i am sure someone will know.

I've got little feet and I was ECSTATIC to run across vintage shoes that actually FIT me!!!

What??

People here have size 4, 5s and occasionally some 6s that they can't even give away or they pass up because they don't fit anybody. Just be very vocal about your size and I am sure people will direct you to everything they have for sale. You would have your pick versus big size 8 footed me who has to fight fight fight against many others for the same pair of shoes.
 
Cool shoes! I have a pair nearly identical to the top pair - must go looking for them now you've jogged my memory!

I use hide cream on leather goods - I got mine from the supermarket's polish section, but an equine/saddlery place would have something similar to make them supple as I think Paul mentioned too.

Let us see the after pics won't you! :)
 
Use contact cement for gluing down the vinyl sock (the sock is the lining on the foot bed) It is what a cobbler would use to repair it and has the longest and strongest bond.
 
Yes, I have small feet but they're WIDE feet!!! I usually wear boys sized shoes or boots since they are more comfortable for me. I think I stumbled upon a stash of shoes worn by someone with my particular shoe issues, too!

Tell you what, folks! I'm going to make this my project of the week and I'll let you see the results (I hope) by the weekend. I just happen to know folks in the equine industry and I'm sure I can get saddlery stuff from them enough so that I can polish up my new shoes!!

I've got sandpaper aplenty, too, so I can sand, sand, sand my days away while I'm waiting for Barney (that blasted purple dinosaur) to finish his songs so I can turn off the TV and not have my daughter mad at me!

I can't wait to see and show the finished product!!!

Patti
 
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