The pulling over assembly (2, 39) and lasting assembly (13, 40) of a pulling over and lasting machine are capable of being moved apart to enable a pulling over operation to be effected on one shoe at a first station (I) while a lasting operation is being completed on a further shoe at a second station (II). In one embodiment the pulling over assembly (2) moves bodily to the second station (II) at which the lasting assembly (13) is arranged; in a second embodiment the lasting assembly (40) moves to the first station (I) at which the pulling over assembly (39) is arranged. Each assembly (2, 13; 39, 40) has a heel rest (5, 19; 41, 50), the heel rests being so arranged as to carry out without collision the function of holding the shoe against lengthwise displacement.