Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

Finally starting a real pair of cowboy boots

I’m pretty much obsessed with the pattern for these shoes — not the design (to be fair, I’m obsessed with that too) but the way this style of shoe is patterned. I don’t even know what it’s called. It’s not quite a Derby and not quite an Oxford. I prefer Oxfords but I hate the way the tongue lining is done and since it has a closed, fixed lace gap you always have to wear the same weight of socks. On the other hand, I don’t like sewing the quarter over the vamp on a Derby. This design solves both those issues for me and so far I haven’t tired of making it over and over and over. It’s like a song I enjoy playing on repeat.

All four bluebird top panels are stitched. Considering each panel took me around an hour, I’m pleased to have them finished. My usual goal when designing and stitching a boot top is to be able to start, stitch the entire boot top, and finish right back where I began without stopping. I managed that on three of these panels, but on one panel I kept getting distracted so I had to go back in and sew a couple of things.

I have one (1) of the four (4) bluebird top panels stitched. This is going to take a while.

Today’s work: shoe uppers and cowboy boot tops

More little birdies and butterflies and flowers are stitched.

I’m working on another small pair of shoes with teeny tiny birds and flowers. I’m ready to make shoes or boots for someone who’s a size 12 now, please.
First photo: I’ve cut out all the shaped holes and skived them; off to the left you can see bits of leather that will go in the holes.
Second photo: Some of the leather colors are in place. I forgot to grab some of the colors when I selected the leather, so I’ll do that tomorrow.

The little birdie uppers are together and ready to be put on the last. I have one more pair of shoe uppers to make before I begin lasting though.

All the little birdies are stitched.