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My First Attempt at Boots!
Project: Non-clothing
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You made whole ass boots? That's awesome!
👆That is sentiment or my reaction! Badass!
Although I've been sewing garments myself for a while, the idea of making shoes always felt so mysterious and esoteric. I did a ton of research and ordered some supplies/visited a local cobbler store and learnt a lot.
I drafted the pattern myself, they're based on Rick Owens "Creeper" zip boots. The leather's a funky dusty red cowhide, mostly just something cheap for practicing. I have a Sailrite Ultrafeed and even though it's a pretty hefty machine it struggled on some thick parts, especially around the back pull tabs.
I have some really nice leather on hand I'd like to try something else with, a bit nervous to start though!
As someone with my own unique experience in footwear, objectively these are a remarkable first entry into the trade! You’re obviously a quick study and should find this to be an addictive past time. Now you can truly cover all bases, head to toe handmade 👏👏👏👏
This is absolutely fantastic! These are just beautiful. Do you have any specific resources that were the most helpful for you? I got the book Making Handmade Shoes by Harry Rogers which seems good but I'm curious what you liked best. Also, where did you get your lasts?
Wow! You should post this on r/cordwaining too!
Wow, now that looks like a sewing machine! All of my machines are vintage and I never understood why anyone would spend thousands of dollars on a plastic machine. But this one looks so cool! Portable heavy duty, even a pretty color
These are fantastic, and as someone who despises clanky zipper pulls when walking, I love that you made a little snap flap to solve that!
…Leaves to reevaluate sewing goals
Joins you in the brainstorming session
That is your FIRST ATTEMPT?!?!
haha, I have been sewing clothing (and some leather) for years, but yeah this was my first try with shoes! I went suuuper slow with it, making sure I was doing each step right.
I can barely sew a mask that isn’t super fucking wonky (thanks Covid!) but this is astounding! Sometimes I watch cobbler videos for like an hour, so vaguely knowing what went in to this, and how amazing they look! 🙌🏻
How do they fit/ feel?
are you joking, this is NEXT LEVEL, you are so talented!!! they're absolutely beautiful, amazing work!!! please tell us more about the process
I just said out loud “you MADE these?!?”
Great job!
are you fckn kidding me? this isn't sewing, this is art. congrats, wow!!!
holy shit you ppl amaze me
also just casually making boots is crazy cool
Wow! Impressive! You should be very proud of yourself.
Whaaaaa!!! Ppl just out here really making their own boots. These are amazing!! Get it! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👌🏽🤯
For some reason this post reminds me of the film, Kinky Boots! 😄
This is so cool
WOW!!! They look so nice. Really impressive - well done. 🤩
They're gorgeous! What sewing machine did you use for this??
Okay, I'm officially jealous
These look amazing and so well executed
They look store bought! Incredible!
Wow; these look like they were artisan made (I guess it’s you. You’re the artisan)!
How many shoes have you made? I’ve been interested in trying it out but don’t know where to start or what the learning curves like
I was gonna start with the slippers tutorial I saw on YouTube. comfy historical slippers . I can figure out if I like it before I go hog on getting leather super involved (except for the sole)
Yes, and also watch Nicole Rudolph's other video on making historical Medieval Turn Shoes! Kinda like the leather shoe version of the slippers in a way. https://youtu.be/tTWvgxVFaiI?feature=shared
Thanks for the tip!
I made a pair from the Chicago School of Shoemaking and loved it. The kit came with everything I needed, the videos were great, and I got a sweet pair of shoes that I get to brag about!
In awe.
I am FLABBERGASTED!!! Amazing!!
This is beyond impressive and their beautiful to boot🫣.
Wow that's a challenge!! And what a result!
You are talented and you are brave and you are amazing
Holy cow these are so cool! I really want to learn how to make shoes but the financial aspect of even more tools and materials required just feels irresponsible at this point. Plus, my joints are less than stable and I’d be afraid of making things worse.
Wow beautiful, I want them! I’ve been wanting to make some boots too, but am hesitant to start another new project. I don’t think my juki will be able to handle it either. I have an 8700.
Install a roller presser, a single row feed dog, and the corresponding needle plate on your 8700 like this plus a proper leather needle, and you can sew through shoe or boot-weight leathers, no problem.
The caveat is that you won't be able to make every single style of shoe or boot out there on a flatbed because of the 3D nature of shoe uppers, however there will be some styles of shoes and boots that can be done on the flat. Just have to plan ahead and formulate a plan to see what works with what you have.
With leatherwork like shoes and bags, it can be a situation where 90%+ of the entire process can be completed on some form of flatbed machine, but there will often be just a few seams toward the end that need to be done on a cylinder or post - the ones that turn the 2D shape into a 3D one. I've seen Youtube videos out of the developing world where they do an entire shoe on a flatbed, though, so there are workarounds.
We got a really cheap hand crank machine off Amazon for I think less than $100. My husband does leatherwork, mostly by hand right now, and wanted to take the next step. It's not fancy, and needed a much sturdier stand than it comes with, but fortunately woodworking is our other hobby lol. If it's something you are wanting to pursue, it's a small investment. Learning how to thread it was just a bit easier than threading my serger, and my husband deferred to me on that particular task 😂
THIS IS SO GOOD
They look great , I’m very jealous
you must fulfill your destiny as a cobbler!
These are amazing!! Give yourself a huge pat on the back!
Omg how🫶🏻
DAMN these are incredible!!!
Impressive!
i think i’m in love. i’d buy these in a heartbeat at any store
I just want to make ballet flats for my hard to fit daughter, but I haven't the first idea how to start. Great job
Wow! I wanna make shoes too some day
This is such a cool, ambitious project! They turned out great!
How do they fit????
These are so beautiful! Love the color and the little button flap at the top of the zipper
Where can one harvest soles?
This
wow this is next level
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what hat did you do for the rubber ?
Not dumb at all! It's a Vibram #100 sole with a stacked leather heel and separate heel piece. The rubber sole's just cemented on, no welted stitching or anything fancy.
I didn’t realize you could just buy soles!
Thanks for the answer! And for understanding what my fingers meant to type haha
THESE ARE INCREDIBLE!!!! WELL DONE ❣️❣️❣️
Beautiful work! These are so impressive.
"Cling !" just made my heart...
These are the kind of boots I'd love to find in a boutique. They're perfect in every way. Bravo !... :)
omg these are amazing. i am curious what these would be sold at. if you were paid well for your labor what would you charge?
$400 is my guess
Wowwww! Incredible work!
Incredible!
I’m seriously impressed!
Amazing, beautiful & well done - hope they fit like a dream!
These are so gorgeous wow. Well done!!
Absolutely amazing!
is it real leather?
Yes, cowhide!
That’s awesome. Where did you get the soles from?
Wow, that is so cool!
O.O I am immensely impressed 👏🤘🤘🤘
Wow!! I’m impressed!!
Keep it up! Gorgeous work!
Ooh! This is awesome. I could never. My machine would die.
Wow! These look phenomenal! Well done 👍
I want these! Great job!
These are gorgeous, you should be so proud!!!
Sick!!!!
W O W !!
These are incredible - huge congratulations!!
😮
🤩
This is incredible and they look amazing!!!
Nice job!!
Awesome !!!!! 😱👍🏼😊
Amazing 👏🏼 👏🏼
They look super good!
Can you sew me some quality work boots?! Name your price!
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Wow!