A method of forming an article of footwear can include providing an upper in a substantially flat orientation, securing a gathering string along at least a portion of a perimeter of a first surface of the upper with a securing member that is attached to the upper, positioning the upper on a last, and applying tension to the gathering string to at least partially conform the upper to a shape of the last.

A last system and a method of making the last system are disclosed. The last system includes a last member and an exterior layer. The exterior layer becomes deformable when heated above a characteristic temperature. The method can include forming a braided footwear component on the last system. The exterior layer may be joined with the braided footwear component by heating the last system above the characteristic temperature.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method. The method may include placing an upper on a last, where the upper includes a lower perimeter edge secured to a lasting element, and where the last includes an opening for receiving the lasting element. The method may further include feeding the lasting element at least partially through an opening of the last and tensioning the lasting element to tighten the upper around the last by pulling the tensioning element at least partially through the opening.

According to a last, in a forming surface for forming a shoe upper, at least a portion of a specific region corresponding to an upper end portion of a to-be-formed portion of the shoe upper is defined by a plurality of plate-shaped parts included in a plurality of last forming parts. By arranging the plate-shaped parts to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of an upper end portion of the shoe upper, a portion of the specific region that is defined by the plate-shaped parts is defined by an end surface of each of the plate-shaped parts. A recessed portion as a mark used for alignment with the last during overlaying of the shoe upper is in the portion of the specific region that is defined by the plate-shaped parts.

A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method. The method may include placing an upper on a last, where the upper includes a lower perimeter edge secured to a lasting element, and where the last includes an opening for receiving the lasting element. The method may further include feeding the lasting element at least partially through an opening of the last and tensioning the lasting element to tighten the upper around the last by pulling the tensioning element at least partially through the opening.

A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.

A last for footwear production. The last includes a last main body that has an external surface that at least partly has a shape of a human foot, and a movable last body part. The last main body and the movable last body part are at least partly formed by additive manufacturing. The main body and the movable last body part each include guiding structures configured for guiding at least partly a relational movement of the last main body and the movable last body part.

An article of footwear can include a braided upper. The structure of the braided upper may be manufactured using an article forming member and a braiding apparatus. The article forming member includes a body portion substantially similar to a last for shoemaking, as well as a flange portion that extends outward from the body portion. The article forming member moves through the braiding apparatus in varying orientations that can improve the efficiency of the braiding, enhance the braiding pattern, and enhance structural support of the braided upper.

A last for footwear production includes a last body having a side wall having an external surface having at least partly a shape of a human foot and an internal surface defining an inner volume of the last body, and an attachment structure configured to attach the last body to a footwear manufacturing device.