Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

Cutting the vamp tongue is always exhilarating because there is zero room for error. It’s certainly not like I can go grab another crimped alligator vamp out of the scrap box.

I wonder what I’ll make out of Cherry Red Alligator?

Boot tops: it’s a start.

Lasts come in standard sizes but feet do not. I’ve customized this last for the client; I like to fit the last before I start cutting leather.

This is how a commissioned pair of cowboy boots begins.

I laid the soles on this pair of boots today, stitched them, and the next job is pegging the soles. But it’s a wet and rainy day and the soles aren’t drying at their normal pace. They’re still far too damp for pegging, but they’d be too dry tomorrow if I left them out, so I’ve placed them in a semi-open bag for the night. They should be at the perfect stage in the morning.