Engineer Boots |
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Terminator
whiskered Joined: 04 Jan 2019 Location: Zurich Status: Offline Points: 541 |
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What are they, and what size?
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jukeboxromeo
raw Joined: 02 Apr 2019 Status: Offline Points: 19 |
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Far Eastern Enthusiast. Size 8.5 but fit like 9.
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jukeboxromeo
raw Joined: 02 Apr 2019 Status: Offline Points: 19 |
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This sounds ideal, I wasn't sure if it was possible. Have you had any of your engineers relasted? |
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canucklehead
whiskered Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 326 |
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Check this out. Thoughts?
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The Librarian
whiskered Joined: 28 Aug 2015 Location: Bellingham, WA Status: Offline Points: 3454 |
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Nice, they remind me of Vibergs. Not quite on the level of the Japanese makers, but quite good.
If I was to critique them I'd say clean up the stitching, only do a single row of stitching on the soles, change out the butterfly buckles, & lose the pull loop.
Edited by The Librarian - 13 Apr 2019 at 5:49pm |
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canucklehead
whiskered Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 326 |
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So, here's the story behind the boots. I made them.
Having spent too much money on engineer boots over the years, I wondered how difficult it would be to make my own pair... to customize them to be just what I want. The photos I shared were of my first attempt to work in leather, let alone to make footwear. I researched boot making web sites and tutorials and found a place to buy a last. Got some relatively cheap leather and buckles for my "learning" project, and proceeded to design the patterns. After cutting out the pieces, I took my time and started to put together the elements in a sequence that made sense to me. Had to remake some parts due to some oversights but I got everything for the uppers together and was at a point where I felt like I could use some pointers. I called up a local bootmaker and asked if they'd be willing to see what I'd done and perhaps offer some advice and was welcomed. Seeing what I created, they were impressed and were more than happy to help with lasting and showing me what it would take to put the soles/heels on. They even provided the material without me asking! I had no expectation that I'd end up with something wearable, let alone looking decent. They are not exactly what I would want but with some tweaks (taller heels, better stitching), I feel like I'm close. I've got some nicer leather and better buckles and am planning to take what I've learned to do even better next time. Not bad for a first attempt though, eh?
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The Librarian
whiskered Joined: 28 Aug 2015 Location: Bellingham, WA Status: Offline Points: 3454 |
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That's great for your first attempt. What sewing machine(s) did you sew the uppers vamp & counter together with?
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Aries
whiskered Joined: 23 Apr 2013 Location: Melbourne Status: Offline Points: 1681 |
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That's incredible for a first attempt, nice one!
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dudewuttheheck
whiskered Joined: 25 Sep 2016 Location: OC Status: Offline Points: 8626 |
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For a first attempt, that is quite impressive!
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canucklehead
whiskered Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 326 |
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Thanks everyone for the positive comments. To answer some questions: As this was my first attempt, I really took my time planning and designing the patterns, manually cutting the pieces, testing what it would take to last, laying out the parts, etc. I started the project back in November but there were weeks when I did nothing but let my head think about the logical next steps. As I started putting things together, I realized there was a chance I could end up with something wearable so the made me take my time even more. I imagine that for my next pair, it'll take less time but I do want to do a much better job so am now planning my tweaks. The machine I bought sews leather but is probably not the right machine for the job. It's a Sailrite. Powerful for multiple layers of leather but it's a flat bed so that made stitching a bit difficult. I'm now seriously thinking of selling it and getting a Pfaff 1293. There were parts (i.e. the backstay) that I used my Sailright to punch holes and then literally hand stitched because there would have been no way to do that with the machine. As I mentioned, I got the entire upper parts done and was ready to last and do the soles. This appeared to be a much more difficult process so I contacted a local bootmaker who was impressed enough to have guided me through the process of getting the soles done (they even provided the materials for exchange with a bottle of scotch. LOL!!). Therefore, I had access to some machines to press and stitch the soles and heels, as well as grind and polish them. It was a really cool process. I simply like making things and have done various different creative projects with wood and of course, in the kitchen. Definitely thinking of a future in just making stuff. |
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