The Crispin Colloquy

Here is a simple ankle boots with zipper.

Here is the second pair of shoes I have made.

(Message edited by courtney on March 02, 2009)

Due to the discussion on zipper boots, I thought I would throw in a pic of one of our recent efforts. This is a black oil-tan with kooka shaft and a YKK chap zipper.

Hello All,

I've been busy trying to get my work done. It seems like an uphill battle sometimes, but satisfying.

Here is a pair I just finished. Cognac Ostrich, Calf tops with Roo collars and monogram.




Paul

(Message edited by paul on March 04, 2009)

Opps! Another try

Here is the next bespoke order from my workshop. I wanted to make full brogue, but my dear customer wanted to have like this.

This is my first attempt at buckle shoes, and my fifth pair of shoes overall. I discovered after reviewing the pictures that the dying isn't even, so that's something (just one of the many things)I'll fix with the next pair. Always something new to learn and something else to fix!


(Message edited by truzicki on March 13, 2009)

Oops. Had a problem with the upload.

The back and top views, per Geri's request:

First pair from the belly of the Koronya workshop. I cannot claim the uppers as my own, but the rest is all my novice hand. Hopefully this post.

Hello All,

I am really embarrassed to even show these new Buffalo moccasins to the group. But the possibility to learn from my mistakes over powers my shame. I started making these thinking that they would be a quick shoe for my son who wears a 13 4E shoe. It was my first attempt sewing a midsole onto the upper leathers. I cut out the midsole according to my pattern from 13 ounce veg tanned leather. I then soaked in cool water. I bent it and twisted and rolled it to break it. I am not sure that you call it that, but the last pair of sandals that I made I did not do this to and they walked more like snow shoes. After I sewed them to the uppers, to my surprise they had shrunk. They were now a good 1/2" smaller than the pattern. I did some adjusting to the tongue piece and the vamp so that the toes would not hang over the sole. They will now fit a mens 10 double wide with swollen ankles. My mother may actually be making use of these because she will not ease up on her salt intake. I also built up the arch with cork but I am sure that I did that wrong. I welcome what anyone has to say.

Geri

Our latest Zipper boot creation. Horween Chrome XL pull-up with roo-hide tops. French rolled edges on the three piece vamp and the sole. Cuban heel with brass inlay: a little closeup of the square toe:

Geraldine

Veg tanned leather very often shrinks after soaking and drying. In a case like this it is better to cut larger and let it dry before cutting out to the pattern. Was this soling leather or belly or something like that? When cutting leather insoles it is best to wait until they are completely dry before trimming to the last, and the same applies here. Why not ditch them and make a new pair and use these for something else later?

Tim
www.shoemakingbook.com

Hello, This is Ana's, Koronya's other student, first pair. I will let her tell you about them. She will join the forum shortly, but for tonight she's gonna post on my account.

Hello! This is my first pair of shoes ever! Seriously, I have never even touched a pair of lasts until two weeks ago. It is a simple cemented oxford, perfect for a beginner. I am very proud of it, and I hope, so is my master...

I posted my 1st pair of this model to the gallery previously. This is now my 4th pair and my technique is tightening up a bit.


In particular, I'm much happier (although not totally happy) with my sole edges, stitching and welt pricking.


GN burnishable buffalo, antiqued with an airbrush and finished off with brown Kiwi polish.

First of all, Thank you for the nice remarks on my last ones. Jason, special thanks to you.

The work you all have been show is great also. Keep it up.


Here's the last two pair I just finished.

This black ostrich has tooled banners (the five stars are for his kids) and stitched in crosses. The arrow shapes on the pulls are remnecient of Graham Hill, his racing hero. These elements were all on this customers helmet when he was racing.


This second pair is GN Glazed Water Buffalo. The flur-de-lis is a stitched pattern, grey over black. I was going for the look of a collar.

I have been laid up just recovering from a knee op and bored in bed so made these. I wanted to continue practicing techniques and found bits around the house and an automatic awl. So now a proud owner of some moccasins slippers.

Kept me busy and out of mischief.

I found cutting the synthetic soling really difficult to cut. I found myself cutting in lots of little straight lines rather than a nice curve.

I liked geri's mocs I certainly benefit from seeing different types of shoes.
Claire

This is the new pair from Ana, my Brasilian apprentice. Still some small deatils left to improve, but she made that from the scratch to finish! The next one will be much better. Nice work Ana!

Another one of my "fancies" for a customer who wears kilts. Not exactly an "historically correct" colour for the style but hey he wanted it.

French calf, round closed at the sides.


Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

A pair for myself. brown calf and blue kid.

Here's the latest out of my shop. Horween Latigo foot, the pink calf was from Stevenson Paxton, and the sole is a Vibram 1136

Here's a pair with the Vibram 1718 sole. The green is the same calf as the pink boots. I really liked the leather so I got it in a couple other colors too. This pair has been worn for a while....

Budapest in the house! Spinning Goiser. On to English Sewn, before I head back to the States.

Just finished these over the last couple of weeks. The first is a green top (cowhide from GN) with a glazed black water buffalo. The second picture is a pair of mules made for my step daughter Holly, also made from water buffalo with inlays. The last pair is a 14" top boot with mule ears and a 2" heel, with a bull shoulder foot and a square toe.

Mike