Thursday, October 27, 2005

Hats & Boots

Hilda asked to see some of the hats I've made (mentioned in my 20 Things) ... here are some oldie-but-goodies. Click for larger images. For each of these, I dyed the straw (except for the white hat), and blocked and sewed the hats entirely by hand, using traditional millinery technique.









And here are my custom made western boots--they fit me perfectly--sitting in the sun drying just after I finished them. Mine are the short ones, closes to the camera.


Sewing on the industrial machines used to make boots and shoes was an adventure. As you can see, years of sewing didn't help much when it came time to do the fancy stitching . . .

5 comments:

Pat/SWquilter said...

Wow, great hats and boots, Sophie!! I'd love to have a pair of boots/shoes that were a perfect fit!

Pat

sophie said...

Don't worry, Gemia, making boots like these are not easily "made at home" because of the equipment required. I went to boot camp (my name for the 2-week workshop) wondering if a custom boot business was a viable business idea and came back thinking that the investment required, for the equipment, a bunch of lasts (in every size for several styles) leather and tools was pretty significant. I did love learning how shoes and boots are made and how to design patterns, though, and I have an even greater appreciation for the shoes I buy.

Hilda said...

Hey, thanks for the pictures Sophie. When you said hats, I had a totally different vision. I have a pair of "lasts." My friend Rosie's dad owned a moccasin business in CO and she gave me a pair of wooden lasts. I treasure them. Are you still looking for a viable business idea? I'm always on the lookout for that. Last year on vacation in Galveston we bought an awesome kite, and looking at some of their offerings, I thought I could make cool kites. I bought some bright rip-stop nylon, but I haven't made one yet. I'm disenchanted with the idea, now that I'm not at the beach and seeing people flying them.

Debra Dixon said...

I have a small shoe tree collection that I just love! After this week at Houston, my feet are covered with blisters. I may just bite the bullet and wear my comfy sandals tomorrow.

Shoes really are interesting. Hats too, actually.

Jules said...

I love the boots! I have always wanted some genuine cowboy boots. The only time my husband went on a trip to the west, he flew in, gave a talk and flew back out the same day. Not long enough to get boots for me. Somehow, cowboy boots bought in Georgia just won't cut it.

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