Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

I get an email like this every now and then and it always ticks me off. Ray Dorwart is another cowboy boot maker in my town. I certainly don’t view him as a competitor–we’re friends and fellow boot makers. I’m happy he’s in town because we share supplies and leather if we have a need. I have friends and peers in this business but we do NOT compete with each other!

There are 95 little wooden pegs in the sole of this boot. The pegs are always spaced the same so the total number of pegs depends upon the size of the boots.

This is the bottom view of a pair of lasted boots. Occasionally I have problems with water spots when I last in the toe of a boot. I’ve started completely lasting in the toe area when I last the boot, then I never wet the leather again. Since the leather has already formed I don’t have to wet it after I put in the toe box.

I have two pairs of boots on the last! I believe I shall coast for the rest of the day.

Hmmm… this is a boot with a 2″ heel. Normally they’re a FIGHT to last but this one was sweet and easy. I’m not sure if I should be happy or worried. We’ll see how the next one goes.

Two pairs of boots have been side seamed and turned right-side-out. Tomorrow I’ll put them on the last.

I forgot to put the side liners between the vamp and the liner. I had to take out the side welt stitching, peel it back, stick it in, and restitch it. It’s a rookie mistake which I will blame on road trip exhaustion.

This is my lovely daughter Paige’s work. It’s an alligator leather bracelet with an overlaid watch design. The hands are stitched to three o’clock because that’s when school lets out.