Hand Sewer (Shoemaking)
てぬいこう（せいくつ）
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
Hand sewers (shoemaking) are artisans who manually stitch the upper and sole of leather shoes for manufacturing and repair.
Description
Hand sewers (shoemaking) handle the highly skilled process of hand-stitching the upper and sole. They select needles and threads according to the leather shoe's design and material, adjust the angle and pressure of needle insertion, and apply reliable and beautiful stitches. In shoe repairs, they also carefully mend frayed or damaged areas to maintain durability. There is high demand in custom-made shoes and high-end brand shoemaking workshops, requiring years of experience and delicate handwork.
Future Outlook
Due to increasing demand for high-end and custom-made shoes, demand for skilled artisans is stable to increasing. Meanwhile, machine sewing is replacing hand sewing in mass-produced items in some fields, making the inheritance of traditional techniques a challenge.
Personality Traits
Dexterous with hands and good at fine work / Excellent aesthetic sense / Meticulous / Patient
Work Style
Custom Orders / Repair and Maintenance / Shoe Production / Workshop Employment
Career Path
Apprentice Artisan → Hand Sewer → Lead Hand Sewer → Workshop Manager → Independent Business (Shoe Workshop Owner)
Required Skills
Fine Adjustments / Hand Sewing Technique / Needle and Thread Selection / Stitching Technique / Understanding Leather Properties
Recommended Skills
Color Sense / Leather Craft / Quality Inspection / Repair Technique / Shoe Design
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Because even slight deviations in stitches affect quality. |
| Creativity & Ideation | Because creativity and ingenuity are required for adjusting custom-made shoe designs. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Physical stamina is needed to endure long hours of handwork. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Because it does not require advanced calculations. |
Aliases
- Hand Sewn Shoe Artisan
- Hand Stitcher
- Hand Stitching Artisan
Related Jobs
- Leather Product Manufacturer
- Shoe Manufacturer
- Shoe Repairer