Monthly Archives: October 2023

Stitching puts the finishing touch on a design, especially when there are what appears to be randomly placed flowers and leaves that need stitching to tie them together.

This is the face of happiness and realized power. Morgan had two pairs of soles to stitch on the curved needle today and she asked me to go up front and let her do it by herself. After the first … Continue reading →

Here’s a little lace-up shoe I’ve started. It took lots of patterns and pieces to get to this stage!

Anyone who knows me is aware that I believe in the healing, redemptive power of Craft. I admire the fact that the prison system in Texas still gives space for craft shops and craft, and many inmates earn money to … Continue reading →

If you’ve ever wondered what happens with the long dangling threads that are left after I inseam: I used them to lace in the metal shank.

A few years ago I saw a photo of a bespoke boot online and I was obsessed with how they were patterned. I didn’t copy them exactly but I certainly was heavily inspired by them, and I made myself a … Continue reading →

Long ago, I developed the opinion that time spent patterning is never time wasted. If you spend the time thinking about your pattern and making sure it’s correct, then sewing all the pieces together is easy. When you don’t spend … Continue reading →

Why was Lisa crying this afternoon? Someone sent me a care package of vintage boot catalogs and materials, and this original Jay Griffith boot catalog was in it. I’ve seen catalogs from companies where Jay worked but never a Jay … Continue reading →