A fun little pair, blue edge binding, turn-welt construction. The commission request from the lovely Miss K was one for a strapped shoe flexible for use in multiple centuries, but with a double-sole to help protect and insulate from rocks and whatnot. The results, as you can see, are pleasantly below.
In preparation for an amazing trip (of which you will hear more about soon), I worked up a new pair of 18th century shoes. Similar to the ones I worked up a while back, these ones were actually for me! The basic pattern was similar, but I must note that as it had been over two years since I worked on that past pair, I made some rather newbie-type mistakes. I must also preface it by saying that I visited several museums just weeks after finishing this pair, and as is always the case, one discovers so many things that were done incorrectly. Refer to the original source material in all things! In any event, they look decent enough, though I can’t wait to get my hands on a couple of weeks to make another pair for myself, an even better pair.
One thing about this piece is that I attempted it in a manner consistent with what is described in Garsault’s 1767 work, the Art of the Shoemaker, translated and annotated by the master cordwainer Al Saguto at Williamsburg (available here).
A while back, over cocktails, a friend of mine mentioned what neat idea it would be to have a Viking chest that looked, for all intents and purposes, like a normal 6 panel Viking chest, but would unfold and unlock to have a cocktail bar inside. I agreed, and we continued the conversation, not really giving it a second thought. A few months later, he again brought up the subject, and when my friend Kelly brings up something twice, he really means to do it. With a couple of precious slow hours at work, I came up with what I thought was a rather clever design. It sure looks like a normal viking chest, doesn’t it? More below the cut…
Continue reading Viking Cocktail Chest – Yes, you read it correctly…
So, I’ve been taking a bit of a break from shoes to work on other projects (repairing house stuff, sewing, etc.) and in case you were not aware, I actually have to work for a living, more is the pity. It does have a few perks, though, other than keeping a roof over my head and the cat fed. This time, it’s a trip to Japan, and I’m fortunate enough to spend the weekend in Japan for a bit of sight-seeing and tourist-y stuff. This post focuses primarily on my trip to Nippori Fabric Town. Now, there are a lot of blogs out there that talk about their trip to Nippori Fabric Town with stunning amazement at the wide selection and the number of stores. If you’re interested in scarves, jeans, quilting, or anything that is remotely modern, then I suppose this is a fair assessment. The moment you start looking for materials suitable for the 18th century and before…well, aside from the restaurants with really good noodles, I’m afraid that I’ll have to disappoint you.
It started off favorably – a very easy trip to Nippori station from Shinagawa, and pretty much right out of the station, I saw a sign!
Well, it was a specific sign telling me I was on the right track. Now…where did the signs lead me?
Continue reading Fabric Shopping in Tokyo – Nippori Fabric Town