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I got hugely inspired by @Tastech to do some more serious repair work on a riding boot this time home. Our oldest son works full time as a rider at a jumping stable, and his old daily boots had come apart. The glues outsole had loosened completely, my guess is that it happened since the insole was only made of some pressed cardboard like material, and the uppers were only glued to the underside of it, so at some point everything started to loosen and the boot was damaged. I took off the outsole and inspected the boot. The midsole was also some cardboard like material, and that was removed as well. I made a new insole from a piece of veg tan leather, tracing the remains of the original insole and guessing how the tip should look. The new insole was glued in place and I used a curved awl with a hook on it to make a lock stich to attach the uppers to the insole. Since the original sole didn't have a sewing channel, I thought that I'd better not change the design too much and that's why I chose the lock stitching method. When the insole was in place, I glued the sole stiffener in. I didn't have any cork filler, and I had too little patience to get some. So I tried to make my own filler from latex paint, sawdust and PVA glue. It looked all right, but I after letting it dry I as afraid that it would not hold up to the job, so I removed it all again. I didn't want to risk that the sole came off because of my homemade filler. After spending a lot of time removing the sawdust paint filler, I decided to fill in the voids with some scraps of veg tan instead. That went surprisingly well, and after attaching the mid sole, I rigged up an old round sanding wheel, and roughed up the bottom and shaped it to correspond to the inside of the sole. After one failed glue attempt where I had placed the sole too far back, I managed to get a decent positioning and everything was hammered tight. I don't have a heel press at the moment, but hammering seemed to do the trick. I didn't time myself for the repair job, but given that a set of boots like those will most likely set you back around 600 US$, it is still worth spending a couple of hours doing it plus the added benefit that it is an interesting job and I like to learn something new. The biggest surprise for me was that the original insole and midsole were of such a crappy quality. And also that the upper and the insole/sole only relied on glue to hold it together. Aside from that, it was daunting at first to separate the boot, but once I got started it all seemed fairly logical. And given that the boot was so damaged that Gustav originally wanted to throw it away, I didn't risk much except investing a bit of time and learning something in the case that I hadn't been able to repair it. Damaged Cavallo riding boot. Close up of the damaged part of the boot. Sole, inner lining, midsole, insole with stiffener on it. The new insole is glued in place prior to stitching. Wavy stitching, done with a hook-awl, it doesn't look pretty, but I think it holds better than no sewing. The white stuff is the remains of the homemade paint/glue/sawdust filler. Now the voids have been filled with veg tan that is glued in place. New midsole installed and the underside has been shaped on the sanding wheel. The sole is glued on again and the boot should hopefully hold up for a bit more use.

I'm making shoes. I am using milled veg-tan leather because this is what my teacher uses & I'm following along until I choose to make a different decision. I am going to dye the leather, but then I have to waterproof it. I bought some Fiebing's Resoline, which is an acrylic-based waterproofer that the sales person recommended because it will keep the leather supple and protect the dye while waterproofing. When I bought it, I didn't realize it was acrylic. Will the leather still accept regular shoe water-proofing after this? I usually Sno-Proof or mink-oil or some other oil-based protectant. Thanks!

So I don't know if this is the right place to ask for help but I have searched the entire internet for either similar boots or someone I could commission to make them for me. I'm looking for something based off of these: I wouldn't expect them to be exact because this is not a real picture but I really love these boots and I want something similar. If anyone could help with this or help me find someone who can that would be amazing. Price isn't an issue. My email is jacklynlemay (at) gmail.com Thank you!!

https://www.aliveshoes.com/true-faithfull

Hello guys, I have a pair of my favorite double monk strap shoes in light brown. Having visited an expert in the field,he told me that the shoes are made of "seal leather"(As I researched I understood that's just oiled leather? But I'm not sure about that). He also told me that this type of leather is undyeable meaning there is no way you can dye it effectively. Recently,I have been going out with my shoes and alcohol based drinks (Vodka,Whiskey,beer etc.) have been spilled on the shoes and for some reason I can not understand,this has left stains on the shoe. The help I need is how can I repair the shoes. One solution I have found is to dye the shoes darker brown(Which is cool by me) but first of all the expert said it is unattainable and second of all as I have understood different leather need different care methods,which is not my profession so I do not know what to do. Do you have any ideas on how should I repair the shoes? Thanks in advance for the help and have a great summer guys, Petros

Hello, I am selling a shoe repair oven with infrared lamps used to revive the glue, as new (used only a few times). Heating temperature at 45°C in ~5 minutes. My price: 140 GBP. Retail price is around 450 GBP, check below: http://www.bicifestival.it/lavorazione-artigianale-pelle-bdd-1_26/forno-a-raggi-infrarossi-per-calzature-jlrhqclq-odd-1903.html The item will be shipped from Romania. For UK the shipping cost is 30 GBP. For other countries I will check best shipping option at request. The item is listed also on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Infrared-oven-for-shoemaking-repair-FORNO-A-RAGGI-INFRAROSSI-PER-CALZATURE/233017359077 If interested, please let me know. Best regards, George

Hello. I am completely new to leatherworking and I want to make some shoes. I could use a bit of guidance regarding tools and such. Can anybody estimate the size/type of thread/needles/awl for the more decorative stitching in this next video, even a rough guess? https://youtu.be/iHwE9C_3MUo?t=45 Starts at 45 seconds. Another video with similar tools here, at 7:31. https://youtu.be/IG02Iwl2kt4?t=451 The awls seem especially difficult to find. Any advice welcome. Thanks! -Aaron

Truely Shoe lasts are very very rare to find. i found a couple stores locally that sells them. One of the stores sells only in dozens and for female foot - with varied sizes. Luckily the other store sells individual pairs for men sizes, BUT, my foot is size 9&1/2 and the last few ones they have are size 8&1/2 and size 8.... Having seen some youtube videos of cordwainers modifying their last shapes by adding cork boards, I went and bought the size 8&1/2 and some cork boards... i havent fully done the modification, but still is about half way and i've added about 3 layers of cork on the outer side. - My feet are fairly wide. As i see the lasts, they still need about a layer of cork more on the inner side... So my question is... Is there a limitation to this modification?.. is 3 layers of cork on one side ok?... seeking the wisdom of those who have done this.

ISO supreme 60 shoe finisher/sander. I know what they cost new to ship so obviously I don't want to pay that much if possible. Any help is appreciated.

ISO supreme 60 shoe finisher/sander. I know what they cost new to ship so obviously I don't want to pay that much if possible. Any help is appreciated.

Hello! I've gone barefoot too long and now I can't find a summer sandal that doesn't look like a brick or isn't an orthotic. I'm looking for someone local who can make a simple huaraches-like footbed and laces (I'm looking for something fairly strappy and simple!) Thank you!

Its been couples of years here in this platform with you folks. I can remember that when i opened this id I was doing my undergrad. Undergrad complete years ago and headed to accomplish postgraduate. And of course doing work with leather. Well, today i'm going share with you a event which is going to take place in Ashland, Oregon, USA in June 24-26, 2016. The event is "Footwear Symposium 2016". If you are a shoemaker or footwear professional or shoelover then a huge G2G is waiting for you in there. Like previous year 2015, this year in June 24 to 26 Footwear Symposium is going to happen. Shoemaker from different location goes there in order to exchange knowledge. Show off there work and interact with different personalities. Shoe Designer find inspiration, gather knowledge and understanding about footwear making process like construction and finishing. Shoe repair expert finds repairing material source. And Shoe Making Student/Learner meet shoe expert and learn comprehensive shoe making. Everything in a row! So why wait! You too also join there!!Website of Footwear Symposium already started registration for this year pretty soon. You could register yourself from www.footwearsymposium.com as attendant. All other related information is there regarding to the event, Guest Lecturer, Speaker or Venue, Schedule and in details. You could attend there demonstrate your art work also! So friends lets meet there!!!!

As the title , how do I make lasts so l can make myself a pair of everyday boots. I have heard ofof plaster casts, feet in jelly and so on -but I want to end up with a pair of wood lastsI can make the boot directly onto. HELP! Best Wishes Claire

Hey Everyone. I'm Carson. A 16 year old high school student from Canada. Been leathercraftin for 4-6 months and about 5 hours a day. I've made bags wallets and even leather dress shoes although I did not carve the shoe last by hand. I'm really hoping to be an active member and contribute positively as much as I possibly can. Any other teens on here who leather craft?

Hello all, I'm a beginning shoe and eventually boot maker in Utah. I'm just finishing up on my first pair of shoes. I will post my progress shortly when I can collect all the pictures and get them into one spot. My leather interests include shoe and boot making, bags, and whatever else I may come across. I hope to do some more learning and interacting. Before, I just went to this forum and perused but didn't become a member. Thanks!

I was reading and watching a lot on shoe and boot making. I wanted to get into making my first pair of dress shoes or chukka boots but where I am having trouble is with the lasts. I don't know what model/style or size to get plus where to get them from. If anyone has any helpful knowledge or insights it'll be great. Neil.

Hello all, I have recently been working on a pair of shoes for a vegetarian friend of mine and have run into a wall when it comes to attaching the soles. I am having trouble coming up with a suitable alternative to leather for making an insole to outsole that can be welted by means of a feather. Any suggestions? Is there a way around this that anyone may have experience with such as forgoing the welt entirely and cementing the outsole directly? Is there something that may work in a similar fashion to a cut feather for sewing the welt? Thanks in advance Kenneth

Hello there, this question is for any shoemakers or anyone with some input out there. I am interested in getting into bespoke shoemaking and am looking for advice, recommendations, and input from those of you with experience. I have been doing plenty of research and am still unsure what kind of sewing machine might be the best fit for me. I have been looking into walking foot machines but i would have to say that the majority of the videos and images I've seen of people actually sewing vamps and uppers on machines using a roller foot rather than a walking foot. is this better for cobbling or are these, roller feet, designed to do things specifically that walking feet are less compatible to? some other questions I wouldn't mind answered: -places I can purchase single pairs of rubber, silicone. shoe soles that I could cement to shoes I make. (I want to work with canvas shoes too) -tools: where to buy them, or how to make them. which ones are essential. -suggestions on books, videos, websites, etc. that have useful tutorials and instruction. - anything else you can suggest

I'm really enjoying reading about making footwear in general but i'm having a little bit of trouble. I tend to get caught up in the terminalogy. Can't seem to find a source that tells what piece is what and was wondering if anyone else had found anything worthwhile that described or even has a picture to point out the parts.