Category Archives: boot maker

Fabric wrapped around a cord is called piping; leather wrapped around a cord is called beading. Here’s a front and back view of the beading on a cowboy boot top and the reliefs I cut into the beading so it … Continue reading →

Toe wrinkles and a buck-stitched wingtip were my Sunday afternoon fun Toe wrinkles: a backing is glued onto the back of the vamp (foot leather) and then evenly-spaced lines are stitched through vamp and backing. A hook or eye end … Continue reading →

Skiving on my handy-dandy marble lazy susan

It always feels good to have that first heel layer on. Tomorrow I’ll keep adding layers until I have the correct heel heights on these boots.

Today I finished fitting a last, created the boot top pattern, and drew the design.

My boots made the headlines! Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Daily Mail, UK

I don’t get to relax and enjoy my Saturday until I peg two pairs of boot soles. One down, three more soles to go.

This is what happens when you hit the shank with your pegging awl.

For my 100th episode of “It’s a Boot Life” I’m featuring the whole of my presentation in England at the Independent Shoemaker’s Conference. I spoke about the qualities of a good teacher, and this is probably my favorite of all … Continue reading →