A stitched waterproof joint can be formed between the vamp and top plug of a shoe by applying waterproof coatings to the interior facing surfaces of the vamp and plug, stitching the vamp and plug together to merge the waterproof coatings, heating the vamp and plug to eliminate voids in the merged film, and applying an additional waterproofing layer to the interior edge of the stitched joint between the vamp and the plug.