I’m preparing to last the oak leaf boots. I like the way I can control where the water goes when I spray the boots, and I like the way I can get the counter soft and pliable when I soak them. So I combine the two techniques: I soak the counter area then spray the rest of the foot prior to lasting.
I sewed the side seams yesterday and turned them this morning. They’re beginning to look like boots!
One set of red alligator vamps is on the crimp boards. The brown leather is kangaroo lining and it’s cemented to the red alligator. This is how I reinforce a delicate leather; I only reinforce the tongue area and edges. The vamp looks nicer and is easier to work with than one that has the reinforcing leather cemented all over the entire vamp.
My new red alligator boots were SUPPOSED to have black tops but they keep changing to brown, or beige, or bone in my imagination. I may just have to get over my obsession with matching and wear black leggings with beige and red boots.
I just finished fitting the last for the oak leaf boots. I would say “successfully finished fitting the last” but really there’s no way to know that until I make the entire boot and he tries it on.
Fashion Connection: Engaging Creative Entrepreneurship
Last week I was part of a panel discussion at Oklahoma State University. Hosted by Dr. Mary Rupert-Stroescu, it was a discussion with successful entrepreneurs talking about their experience in the fashion industry. The program was recorded with a live studio audience on Wednesday, April 9.
As a small person it’s frustrating to never be quite tall enough to reach things and maddening to be underestimated because I’m short. On the other hand, it’s very nice to be able to make myself new red alligator boots out of the scrap box!
I stitch all of my boot tops on an old Singer from the 1940s. I’m really glad I finished the oak leaf boot tops last week because I’m not in the mood to wear lipstick to the shop today.
Dale and I went to the party for the Western Heritage Awards last night at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. I met someone who follows me and he asked me to autograph a deck of playing cards. I felt famous!
Update on Round Two with the machine: I finally won. It was one of those times when I struggled for hours and suddenly it just slipped into place. I could hardly believe it happened!
On the other hand, I will go home tonight sore and exhausted and that stupid machine will feel no pain so I’m not sure who really won.
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Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker 