Author Archives: customboots

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About customboots

I'm a custom cowboy boot maker. I own a business, Sorrell Custom Boots, and I create bespoke cowboy boots using vintage machinery and hand tools. I also own www.sorrellnotionsandfindings.com, a company that specializes in tools, supplies, and leather for the boot and shoe making trade.

Steady hand and lots of practice

Posted on December 19, 2014 by customboots

As the previous picture demonstrated, each shape is cut by hand with an X-Acto knife. Then I go back and skive or thin all of the edges so the finished boot top will be smooth and clean. A bit of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cowboy Boots | 4 Comments

Photography and advice

Posted on December 19, 2014 by customboots

First, isn’t this a cool photo? Second, notice how I’m cutting just inside the dotted lines? I do that on purpose because after the inlay is done I’ll need to stitch around it. The dotted line is my stitching line, … Continue reading →

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I’ve been working and I can prove it!

Posted on December 18, 2014 by customboots

Here’s a photo progression of the work I accomplished today. This is the design for the pair of boots I’m making. It’s on top of the leathers I’ll use and off to the right are the pattern pieces for each … Continue reading →

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Starting new boots

Posted on December 17, 2014 by customboots

I haven’t felt well today but the colors on these boots have cheered me.

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged | 2 Comments

You see a flaw, I see a flower

Posted on December 17, 2014 by customboots

There’s a little hole in this piece of leather. Instead of avoiding that area altogether I positioned the design so that I’ll be cutting out a flower shape where the hole is. I’m convinced that this is how and why … Continue reading →

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Boot Maker/Chief Financial Officer

Posted on December 17, 2014 by customboots

Good news this morning! I sent a pallet through FedEx several weeks ago. Somewhere along the way they re-weighed it, decided it weighed 700 pounds more than it actually did, and tried to bill me for $1500 more than the … Continue reading →

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged | 1 Comment

Colors make me happy

Posted on December 16, 2014 by customboots

These are the leathers and design for the next pair of boots I get to make.

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged | 3 Comments

Curved inseaming awls

Posted on December 15, 2014 by customboots

Look what I got in the mail today! I’ve already updated my website if you wish to purchase.

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged | 2 Comments

The machines are out to get me

Posted on December 15, 2014 by customboots

I have a client flying in to my shop today to be measured, so I’m taking a chance and wearing something nice. My machines can sense new clothing and it’s usually the cue for one of them to decide it … Continue reading →

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Memory

Posted on December 10, 2014 by customboots

I have just been struck by a fantastic idea. I’m going to create a Memory game with pictures of my boots. Do you remember the children’s Memory game? It was a deck of little square cards containing pairs of pictures. … Continue reading →

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