Class Calendar
Residency Options
Private Lessons
Memberships
Private Parties
Special Pop Ups
Virtual Live Lessons
Date Night
Testimonials

In-person classes
Visit our 2500 sq ft studio and learn everything from shoe construction to bag making and general leather work.
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Virtual classes
Design and build your own shoes or sneakers in the comfort of your own home. Our virtual classes are facilitated via Zoom.
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Shop now
Select leather working tools and kits, or shop our line of premium leather goods. We’ve got a new line of leather products!.
shopAbout us
Built with leather
Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts (CSOS) provides in-person and online leather arts workshops and courses. CSOS is conveniently located in Ravenswood for students at all levels to learn the “lost art” of leather arts and shoemaking.
+75
combined years of shoemaking experience
+150
combined years of leatherwork experience
+2108
shoes, boots, and sandals created
We’ve reached a 10 year milestone with our footwear programs.
Chicago School of Shoemaking was founded by Sara McIntosh, a Master Cobbler. Sara has made more than 10,000 pairs of shoes and is delighted to share the excitement of creating a first pair with her students.