Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

Customers rarely ever send me photos of themselves wearing the boots I made for them, but occasionally someone will and they’re always marvelous.

I’m mentioned in Elle magazine this month. I have no idea why they wanted a photo of these boot tops instead of a photo of a completed pair of boots, but since chances are slim that being featured will lead to a sale (or sales) I wasn’t too worried about it.

“Sad Wind Sighs”

After lasting and inseaming the boot leather sits above the insole, leaving a depression. You can see how the boot in the center has areas that aren’t level. On the left is the filler piece and on the right is a boot with the filler piece in place. I want to make everything even and level so when I add the shank cover and the sole, they will adhere tightly and not leave ugly gaps.

Introducing: “Blackbirds and Crows” (rough-out version)

“If Heartaches Had Wings”

The Boot Maker’s Prayer (Please match, please match) has been answered. I’ve been building and leveling heels all day and I’m tired so I’m going home now and I’ll finish these tomorrow.

I’m pretty excited about these because I think they’re one of the prettiest boots I’ve made. I’ll have them finished tomorrow.

I found this picture today of a pair of boots I made. There’s a raised cord design going around the front of the foot, precisely along the bottom of the vamp (foot) leather. To do this and get it perfect I had to put the boots on the last, mark where the cord should go, then take the boots off, put the cord in, stitch it, and re-last the boots exactly as they were before. Oh, and they’re a copy of that pair of boots featured on the fabric in the background. Lesson here: Artists can draw cool things but they have no idea how boots are constructed.