Aven

Hand skiving takes a bit of practice, but it is a skill worth learning. Do a search for Lisa Sorrell Skiving Youtube. She has two, maybe three videos about skiving and skiving knives. They are well worth your time.

I went to a couple of Jason Hovatter's shoe making classes in Portland. We used a jerk needle to sew the uppers to the soles. The stitch locations were marked on both so we didn't sew the shoe together twisted. The holes in the sole were made with an awl at each mark, from the flat of the sole coming out in the middle of the edge side. Once that was done, the uppers were lined up and glued onto the sole. Backed stitched the last stitched and tied a knot. It wasn't lightening fast, but it wasn't difficult.

Frodo, you can add width, but the armholes might be uncomfortable. If you can stack the cut out patterns large, medium and small, you will see how the armhole shape changes from one size to the next. You might be able to figure out an XL and an XXL pattern from just this. But if this was me, I'd look for a denim jacket from the thrift store as a guide. A sweatshirt should work as well and will probably be cheaper. You don't have to cut them to use them, just pull the arm into the body. If you know someone that is the right size you could ask borrow a piece of outerwear use to trace a pattern. This might help. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/2463-biker-leather-patterns/ This is a painters vest pattern. Its digital so you will have to get it printed, but if they stack all the sizes on one pieces, you'll see how the armholes change. Its only $9, so cheaper than the thrift store jacket. Painters Vest

Fred, all my experience with rawhide is trying to use dog chews. I have soaked them, unrolled them and let them dry again. It was still very hard and stiff. Most were too thick to use. How did you soften it so it could be worn? I think I will be doing just that. Thanks

Thanks Fred. I'll include upholstery leather in the list of choices. Did you use the rawhide for the soles, the uppers or both?

Actually no I don't. I wasn't planning on spit shining the little darling's shoes. The parent(s) can decide if they want to put anything other than a damp cloth on them.

Huzzah sir. Well done.

There are no shadows here. No conspiracies. Just a general question about leather and the different tannage processes.. Every shoe manufacture knows the leather they are use and how was manufactured and what was in it. I don't so I thought I would ask what I thought was simple question to those who know more than I do. I expected an answer of maybe use veg-tanned instead of chrome tanned. Or maybe just not make shoes for the wee ones because they suck on anything they can put in the mouth. But thanks for your input everyone. It was enlightening

If you are interested in garb for RenFaires, start there and figure out what you want your garb to look like. If you are going to do something simple like a tunic, start with a simple a ring belt. Not much to it. Then a couple of simple draw string pouches would be easy today. Maybe something a bit more fancy next. Check out Karl Robinson in the UK for inspiration. Eventually you can work up to doing shoes or boots. They look impossible I know, but you can make them.. Somebody was able to make them all those hundreds of years ago with just a very basic set tools.

Thank you Klara for your input and the link. My German is rusty, but I will give it a watch. As for the arsenic, my mind lept to Arsenic and Old Lace for the poison. I should have said cyanide. It's present in apple seeds.

I've been asked to make shoes for a couple of munchkins (toddlers) and knowing they are super flexible and have to taste everything I'm looking for some advice. Are there leathers that I should absolutely avoid, toxic to suck on kind of leather. And conversely, is there an type of leather that can be gnawed on without worries? I remember seeing an "organic" leather out of Italy or maybe Spain, but I can't find it now and besides, arsenic is organic so that word doesn't always mean that's it good for you. Thanks

Weaver carries non-slip tape.

Have you tried using non-slip tape on the bottom of template? Only have to apply it once.

That turned out a treat. Its beautiful.

Which 3D printer did you go with? Like Sliverd, I would love to see one of your printed lasts.