Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

I almost finished the Karner Blue butterfly boots today, but now I have to head back to West Virginia to pick up my mother. She fell and broke her hip three weeks ago on a trip out there, and since she’s strong and healthy it’s time to bring her back home to Missouri. Holly will be here entering orders and packing boxes, and I’ll be back next week!

I found this photo of me demonstrating inseaming, and I look like I am explaining something very thoroughly!

I’ve been out of the shop for a couple of weeks and I’m relieved to report that I still know how to make boots. Also, I have company today. It’s a tiny, whiny, loud little tyrant disguised as a kitten.

Here’s a trailer for my upcoming interview with Steve Van Plew and the Leather Craft Community Podcast Show. He flew out to Guthrie for the interview and I enjoyed chatting with him!

I couldn’t post any pictures because I wanted it to be a surprise, but I made a pair of baby boots for my friend Carina’s little grandbaby. Now that the gift has been given, here’s a photo. Introducing: “Singin’ In The Kitchen.”

I inseamed the Karner Blue butterfly boots today. Boots are so pretty at this stage.

I am happy to announce that I am successfully back to where I started with these. The boots have been lasted, allowed to dry, removed from the last, wingtips put on and stitched, and they’re back on the last.

Ostrich is very likely to twist when being lasted; when there’s a wingtip on the toe it can be difficult to position if the boot is trying to twist. I decided to try lasting the boots first, letting them dry, taking them off the last, and sewing the wingtip exactly where the center wants to be. Here are things I’ve learned:
1.) Skiving the edge accurately with the whole boot in the way is no fun. 0 stars
2.) As a rule the only time I last a boot and then take it back off the last is when I’ve completely messed something up and it must be fixed. Even though I planned to do it this way I’m feeling reflexively guilty.
3.) I can’t report on sewing the wingtip on yet, but I will tell you in advance that it’s more difficult with the whole boot attached and in the way. Fortunately this is a very simple wingtip so I should be OK if I take it slow.

Jule and I came to the shop today and put our boots on the lasts. We can’t continue until they’re dry so tomorrow they’ll be ready!