A new project – these are rather unusual shoes, and are based on a couple of images from some German painters (Cranach, most notably). First, let me give you finished product (although the picture does not really do them justice) and then go into detail.
Updated: 9/7/20 – it has been 9 years since I made these shoes. I’ve found quite a few more examples, but those only serve to further complicate things. As it should be, a good mystery! But, the indications are that at least in one example, the “black lines” in some of these shoes almost appear to be laces of some kind rather than simple slashes. This makes some sense, as the lines in all of the images are actually quite dark compared to their white contrasting background. Moreover, if they were indeed laces, they could just as easily have been made with white material as with black, which might explain the red and white shoe with no apparent laces, but there does not seem to be any evidence of lacing on that pair.
What was most unusual about these particular shoes was the black “strip” that surrounded the entire shoe. There are a couple of German pictures which shoe this type of “two-toned” shoe, and although my reproductions look similar, I’m not entirely satisfied with the design.
I just finished up a new pair of shoes based on the Wadden Sea shipwreck finds. Specifically, Fig 26 on Page 227, although there were some differences between my attempt and the actual pattern. First, let me give you the cookie, and you can dig for more details deeper in the post.
The structure is pretty similar to shoes that you’ve already seen on this site, although I typically attempt something new (a new stitch, technique, etc) with each piece I do, with the hopes of learning more each time!
I just posted a new Lesson on Late 16th C. Wedges (Cork). This lesson is based upon some engravings done in the late 16th C. of corked shoes which have a bit of a wedge heel.
These shoes have a carved cork interior acting as the wedge, and an extended rand which envelopes the cork wedge (often referred to as “envelope” construction). Enjoy!
I agreed to trade a pair of shoes for a couple of hats, and was thrilled to get the better end of the deal (the joke being that a good deal is defined by each party thinking that they got the better trade =). The order was for a pair of shoes similar to those in Lesson 8: Late 16th / Early 17th C. Heels (Timber), except that they were to be done on crooked (left and right) lasts, and with a very particular color of orange.
Oh yes, I almost forgot – the finished products! Do forgive the poor quality of the picture, but it gives a good representation of what the shoes look like.
