Learn to tailor and customize fabrics to create espadrilles with a unique and personal touch
Rather than fall into a cycle of fast fashion and trends, the goal of ANTONIA'S, an artisan footwear brand, is to offer long-lasting and quality handmade espadrilles with a luxury design. For Isabel Río, the brand's founder, each piece she creates is an outlet for expression, and experimenting with fabrics is one of the ways she gives her designs a voice.
In this course, Isabel teaches you how to design, develop, and make espadrille sandals by hand using custom fabrics. Learn about each step involved in making this iconic footwear and discover that mistakes are an opportunity to innovate and to use your imagination to dye, print, and customize your fabrics. Create footwear that leaves a mark wherever it goes.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 6 downloads
History
4 minutes, 26 seconds
Elements, characteristics and materials
12 minutes, 19 seconds
Modifications
6 minutes, 10 seconds
Mood board 1
15 minutes, 19 seconds
Mood board 2
11 minutes, 2 seconds
Textile experimentation: knots
18 minutes, 27 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know your teacher, Isabel Río. She tells you about her professional background and some of the biggest sources of inspiration for her designs before giving you an overview of the course.
Learn about the history of espadrilles, from their humble beginnings to being a cornerstone in contemporary fashion. Break down this footwear into separate components to see different types of traditional soles, fabrics, and patterns and then discover the variations that fashion brands and designers have developed over the years.
Next, search for inspiration and create a mood board for your project. Let your imagination run wild and experiment with pleats, knots, and textures to create a rich collection of sample designs so you have plenty of options to choose from.
Now it's time to craft your espadrille sandals using traditional techniques. Start by cutting out your pattern and assembling the decorative piece and then sew it all to the sole using the blanket stitch. Once you've finished, you'll have your very own pair of these iconic sandals.
To wrap up the course, see how to make small changes to the original design to create two new stylish variations: a pair of mules and a pair with ribbon ties and a heel cap. Finally, Isabel gives you some practical tips on how to package, wash, and care for your footwear.
What is this course's project?
Craft hand-sewn espadrille sandals using traditional techniques.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in making footwear or who loves creating with traditional techniques.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is needed for this course, but some experience with a sewing machine will make it easier to follow along.
The materials include scissors, needle and thread, fabrics, a sewing machine, and an iron. You also need to purchase the soles for your espadrilles since they will not be made as part of the course.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Great class.
- 6 months ago
Absolutely loved it, well presented and filled with information and explained in the finest of detail. Truly superb
- 6 months ago
El curso tiene mucha magia, me encantó el contenido! Muy recomendado!
- 1 year ago
Lindo curso.
- 1 year ago
Recomiendo 100%
Each collection is a curated selection of high-end pieces crafted by genuine artists that follow the traditional Spanish techniques behind this iconic footwear. With this business model, the brand promotes local art, authenticity, and responsible design.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Context and history
- History
- Elements, characteristics and materials
- Modifications
- U3
Preparation (game)
- Mood board 1
- Mood board 2
- Textile experimentation: knots
- Textile experimentation: pleats and pleating
- U4
Making
- Pattern
- Sewing of accent piece 1
- Sewing of accent piece 2
- Upper seam 1
- Upper seam 2
- Mounting
- Scallop stitching
- U5
Variations and final tips
- Open espadrilles with ribbons
- Packaging, care and washing
- FP
Final project
- How to create, design and make an espadrille
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
You’ll learn traditional Spanish techniques for crafting espadrilles, textile handling, pattern making, shoe customization, sole assembly, plus care and professional presentation.
Prior experience isn’t required, but basic sewing knowledge is recommended to get the most out of the course.
You’ll need durable fabrics, jute soles, needle, thread, scissors, a sewing machine (optional), iron, and basic hand-sewing tools.
Yes, the course teaches you how to manipulate textiles, mix fabrics, do patchwork, and add flowers and textures to personalize your espadrilles.
Yes, you’ll learn how to modify the basic pattern to create wedge espadrilles, open styles, crossed heel straps, and different fastening types.
The course covers blanket stitch, zigzag stitch, hand finishing, attaching the upper to the sole, and techniques for reinforcing thick pieces.
Yes, you’ll learn to create both digital and physical mood boards to inspire and guide your espadrille design projects.