I haven't posted here in quite a while, but here's my latest work:


At this point I have the welt stitching all the way around. Unfortunately I don't have enough money for training. Doesn't seem like anybody's willing to take an apprentice without you paying them, so I've just been going it on my own. This leather is so thick that I had to trim the inside layer so that the welt (the inch wide strip at the bottom with stitching) will lay flat against the outsole. Ideally you'd bend them both out for added strength. I've since learned about a method called stitch down-- stitching the upper to a midsole. It saves time, so if I want to turn this into a business of sorts, I could sell the shoes for less. Basically my goal is to make good craftsmanship available to as many as possible. Everything here is done with hand tools.

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I was born [upon the prairie] where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath. I want to die there and not within walls.
--Ten Bears

wow! impressive . . . .

That is beautiful. What do you line them with?

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Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Since they're for my own use I don't line them. I think a good calf skin lining leather would run another $30 and I try to keep my expenses low, although I guess just using an old cotton t shirt wouldn't have been out of the question. Thanks

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I was born [upon the prairie] where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath. I want to die there and not within walls.
--Ten Bears

Thank you

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I was born [upon the prairie] where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath. I want to die there and not within walls.
--Ten Bears

That is great. Do you hand sew them or with a machine meant for shoes? I am VERY impressed.

Thanks much. I hand sewed everything. The welt stitching is done with an inseaming awl (a curved, somewhat flat-tipped blade) and the rest with a diamond tip blade awl. Supposedly there are benefits to hand stitching, because the thread goes all the way through the holes, but I do it by hand because it's cheaper. The "problem" is from poking the holes to finishing the sewing is probably 10-15 hours of work .

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I was born [upon the prairie] where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath. I want to die there and not within walls.
--Ten Bears

Beautiful!

That is SO cool!

awesome. is that the first pare you made?

Thanks for sharing love your work.

Hmmm too bad you weren't out west.

There is a great old time Italian shoe maker nearby who never could find somebody to teach his trade. All of his kids went on to be highly trained in their fields of interest.

I wanted to go and be his apprentice but life took another direction.

Hi Cam!
Glad to see you are still making shoes.
They look good.
Do they fit you?

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Cows may not be smarter than People, but some cows are smarter than some people.

Oh my!!!!!! Beautiful craftsmanship! Looks like you've done a great job, I'm impressed with how this is self-taught...!

Incredible workmanship! I can't imagine sewing these by hand. If the SHTF, You'll be in demand!

Whoa, thanks everyone! Gives me a little more confidence.

This is the second pair I've made. All new challenges.

Is this guy still around?

I would hope so. I haven't tried it on yet. The lasts were modified from the previous pair, so we'll see.

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I was born [upon the prairie] where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath. I want to die there and not within walls.
--Ten Bears

now THATS a lost art!

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"Walking… Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”

Very impressed! Nice work - I wouldn't even know where to begin.

I'm impressed...very cool.

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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow the fields of those who don't."-Thomas Jefferson

Wow, like the others I am VERY impressed with your work!

Thanks folks. I'm just waiting on a few more materials and then should get it done quickly and will post the completed one.

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I was born [upon the prairie] where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath. I want to die there and not within walls.
--Ten Bears

thats really cool. who makes shoes anymore? if you can get out west to that Italian guy you should do. I am interested to hear about how they feel and all that once you wear them.

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www.infowars.com
www.dollyrockfarm.com
www.angorafiber.com
Licensed ARBA Registrar

This is just wonderful. We always talk about different lost arts over in the S&EP forum and we talk about shoe making but I don't think anyone has ever done it. I'm just tickled at how amazing it is that you made these---by hand no less!!

I love love love your shoes!