Monthly Archives: April 2014

One boot is always harder to last than the other. I’m tired and running late so I promised myself that the second one would be the easy one and…it was!

I’m preparing to last the oak leaf boots. I like the way I can control where the water goes when I spray the boots, and I like the way I can get the counter soft and pliable when I soak … Continue reading →

I sewed the side seams yesterday and turned them this morning. They’re beginning to look like boots!

One set of red alligator vamps is on the crimp boards. The brown leather is kangaroo lining and it’s cemented to the red alligator. This is how I reinforce a delicate leather; I only reinforce the tongue area and edges. … Continue reading →

I just finished fitting the last for the oak leaf boots. I would say “successfully finished fitting the last” but really there’s no way to know that until I make the entire boot and he tries it on.

As a small person it’s frustrating to never be quite tall enough to reach things and maddening to be underestimated because I’m short. On the other hand, it’s very nice to be able to make myself new red alligator boots … Continue reading →

I stitch all of my boot tops on an old Singer from the 1940s. I’m really glad I finished the oak leaf boot tops last week because I’m not in the mood to wear lipstick to the shop today.