Tag Archives: bespoke

This is the fitted last for the beige/jade ostrich boots. You can see how I trim and prepare the insole for inseaming later.

Side seams are done and the pulls are stitched on. I guess I need to fit the last now and put an insole on it.

I need to finish a couple of pairs of boots before I start this pair, but I wanted to get all the pattern pieces for these done first. Now if I need a break I can relax into cutting and … Continue reading →

I create my pattern design templates by stitching the poster board with no thread in the needle. The holes will close if you don’t have an extra piece of poster board behind the pattern template as you’re sewing. The backing … Continue reading →

The client for the boots with a landscape top approved the design conditionally but requested the addition of some purple in the sky. This is why I enjoy doing custom designs and working with customers — I learn from them … Continue reading →

All of the pieces for this pair of boots are completed.

Holding the template to cut the tongue reminded me of working for Jay Griffith, my first mentor. We cut boot tongues with a cutting die and a clicker. The clicking machine has a large flat beam that snaps down and … Continue reading →

I’m going to share this photo of a pair of boots I made for my son and then I’ll be out of my shop for the rest of the week. A family friend in West Virginia has died and I … Continue reading →

A traditional cowboy boot is a four piece construction: the front top panel, the back top panel, the foot (called the vamp), and the counter (sturdy, heavy leather heel, covered by the visible part called the counter cover). Boot tops, … Continue reading →

The hardest stitching to do well is stitching on light-colored leather. My design visions, however, are indifferent to my comfort.