hello! I’ve made some new shoes!
I have to admit, I actually had no drama with these ones I was just kinda, yeah, you know, need some new shoes for walking the dog, whatever. I’ll just use this paisley stuff, it’s a bit thick and beefy, quite stiff so should work quite well, plus it’s kinda cool-looking too. Making them all went so smoothly and I didn’t even once feel depressed that they weren’t going to work out at any point at all. A first! So I’m now rather thrilled with them 
This is actually a shoe version of a muslin, whatever you would call that… I’m working up to making some shoes using some of the Icelandic fish leather that I bought when we visited there a few years ago and I’m trialling a new pattern. The pattern looks almost identical to the pattern I’ve been using previously, to make my previous pairs of oxford shoes, but since I made that pattern prior to getting my lasts I decided it would be prudent to make a new pattern tailored specifically to the lasts.
So I did it all properly; got out the masking tape, and re-did the whole pattern making process as described here. Got my new pattern and this is the trial run before slicing into my precious leather.
quickie pictorial of the process…
Details above: the top pieces are edged with close-spaced zig-zag stitch in black, and the shoes are fully lined with pale yellow faux suedette from Spotlight. The paisley fabric is from Spotlight too. Foam shoe liners from Coles for added comfort are covered with the pale yellow suedette which gives a co-ordinating, neat and tidy look inside. Heel counters and toe puffs from stretch cotton denim exactly as described in this how-to post here. Stacked heels and soles are made from sheet rubber from Bunnings; glued together using contact gel adhesive, then thoroughly sanded smooth and finished with satin finish varnish. Heels nailed to the soles from the inside exactly the same as pictured for theses shoes here. I hand stitched a small square of black vinyl on the back edge to strengthen that area and hide the seam top.
Craig and Cassie both separately and spontaneously, and without my asking, mentioned that they thought this is my best finish yet. The shoes are quite sturdy and I don’t think I’d even be embarrassed should they be subject to a close inspection. Hehe, I cannot say the same thing for some of my previous efforts!
Plus I think they’re actually rather cute too 
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