3-D Materials and Concepts: Masking Tape Shoes

This project was more difficult than I expected. Interpreting the patterns was a challenge, but once I got them down, I just made copies to make it easier for myself. The hardest and most frustrating part of this project was actually putting together all the pieces. Some of my pieces were too thick, so it wasn't very flexible. Unfortunately, I lost the angle of the toe kick, because I was heavily working on molding it. The laces were also a problem. I tried so many ways to create round laces, but none of them were successful. However, I managed to create the laces as best to my ability. I also added some detail by drawing on the seams. Overall, I liked how it turned out in the end.

Materials: Masking Tape, Wood Glue, Sharpie, and Copy Paper (for the paper model)

IN PROCESS PICTURES

First, I made a show out of just plain copy paper to give me an idea of how to create a 3-dimensional shoe out of 2-dimensional shapes and templates.

The paper was very hard to mold and manipulate into round and smooth areas. I tried my best to replicate the fur on the inside of the boot with paper by just fraying the paper with my x-acto knife.

To start off with my tape shoe, I first wanted to create all the separate planes and shapes that make up the surfaces of the shoe. I decided to tackle the main body of the shoe first. After creating the first one pattern, I copied it 3 more times so there is 2 sides per shoe. I used a hole puncher to create the holes for the laces.

Next, I created the sole of the shoe. I simply placed my shoe on a sheet of tape and traced the shape the sole made. I made 3 more patterns after the initial one, two for each shoe.

Then, I create the soles of the heel.

These are all the pieces I had so far. The long skinny pieces of tape are going to be used for the sides of the soles.

The larger tape pieces are going to be used for the thicker part of the sole.

Here I have made the plane of the boots toe kick.

This is the finished construction of the sole with the heel.

Now that I finished my first sole, it's time to put all the pieces together for the first shoe.

I started with the front of the shoe because the round toe kick was the hardest part to create with tape. I also added the second half of the tongue.

Then, I added the sides along with the back. At this point, it was really hard to to get the tape to stick. As you can see, I have to use some wood glue to secure certain areas.