Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

The boots are sewn right-sides together then turned right-side-out. And… since I broke my American Straight Needle and my iPhone today, I’m done. Instead of seeing what else I can destroy, I’m going home.

Boot makers often stick with one tongue shape for all the boots they make, but I like to switch it up every now and then.

I finished stitching all three of my boot tops today and made the pulls for them.

A decorative piece on the top of a cowboy boot is sometimes called a collar, but it can also be called a top band, which I prefer.

I was interviewed recently for a project about cowboy boots and cowboy boot makers.

Handmade Boots

Three sets of boot tops lined up and waiting to be stitched. Considering the fact that I didn’t get back into the shop until after five today, it may take me a while.

Fabric wrapped around a cord is called piping; leather wrapped around a cord is called beading. I’ve put handmade beading at the tops of these boots. I like to use a delicate little cord and finely skive the leather, because if the beading is too fat it looks like a big ol’ worm crawling on the top of the boots.

I had visitors this week–Eric, a shoemaker, and his wife Joanna. They fixed me dinner, brought me birthday cake, and Eric learned inlay/overlay and made a Matisse-inspired pillow.