More information from O*NET OnLine:

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers - 51-6041.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Boot Maker
Cobbler
Leather Worker
Saddle and Harness Maker
Shoe Cutter

Shoe Maker
Shoe Repairer
Shoe Repairman
Stitcher

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-6000	Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers
51-6040	Shoe and Leather Workers
51-6041.00	Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Related Occupations

51-6031.00	Sewing Machine Operators
51-6042.00	Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
51-6051.00	Sewers, Hand
51-6052.00	Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
51-6093.00	Upholsterers
51-7021.00	Furniture Finishers
51-9022.00	Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
51-9031.00	Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
51-9071.00	Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
51-9195.00	Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Tasks

Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
Check the texture, color, and strength of leather to ensure that it is adequate for a particular purpose.
Clean and polish shoes.
Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
Cut, insert, position, and secure paddings, cushioning, or linings, using stitches or glue.
Draw patterns, using measurements, designs, plaster casts, or customer specifications, and position or outline patterns on work pieces.
Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.
Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
Make, modify, and repair orthopedic or therapeutic footwear according to doctors' prescriptions, or modify existing footwear for people with foot problems and special needs.
Nail heel and toe cleats onto shoes.
Place shoes on lasts to remove soles and heels, using knives or pliers.
Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.
Read prescriptions or specifications, and take measurements to establish the type of product to be made, using calipers, tape measures, or rules.
Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
Repair or replace soles, heels, and other parts of footwear, using sewing, buffing and other shoe repair machines, materials, and equipment.
Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.
Stretch shoes, dampening parts and inserting and twisting parts, using an adjustable stretcher.

Detailed Work Activities

Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
Assemble garments or textile products.
Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.
Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
Cut fabrics.
Design templates or patterns.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Operate sewing equipment.
Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Repair textiles or apparel.
Select production input materials.
Sew clothing or other articles.
Trim excess material from workpieces.