Tag Archives: bespoke

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 … Continue reading →

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.

Skiving… that’s what comes next. I sometimes like to pretend that it’s a bore, but honestly I enjoy a long quiet day of skiving.

Don’t forget to slice through the leather build-up at the cone or hinge. I know someone… wide-eyed innocent look… who’s forgotten before.

It has been a genuinely frustrating week. Oh well, at least these are boot tops are pretty.

Today I finally got tired of the jumble of rulers on the back of my bench, digging through them to find the one I wanted, and I wanted to organize the templates hanging on the back of my bench also. … Continue reading →