Sunday, March 4, 2012

Shoes 2

My second pair is now officially finished!  And fits perfectly.  I'll get to put them to the test tomorrow night, so long as the rain stops and things aren't too wet.  They're turn shoes, just like the first pair.  The uppers are wool pasted to whittaw leather and bound in silk grosgrain ribbon.  These only took a couple of months of sporadic working, unlike the first pair which took a year.  I could easily get a pair done in less than a week if I worked full time on it, and every time I'm getting faster.  The quality and stitching is much finer as well.  Particularly around the heel where I was allowed to work, delicately, with the tinier awl to make smaller stitches (no one makes that type of awl blade any more, so breaking one is really bad).  I can see a lot of places for improvement, but as long as every pair gets a little better, I'll be there fast.



I also purchased a 1920s pair of shoes recently.  I needed something to wear for 1912 evening attire, and these will do suitably.  They're a bit worn, but nothing a little cleaning and a few stitches won't brighten up.  They fit perfectly, which is the important part.  The fabric is gold lamé brocade, only a little worn and tarnished.

I started on my third pair of shoes this weekend.  We added a toe piece to adjust the shape of the last and I've made up two insoles, preparing for a randed construction.  Any guesses on the time period?

14 comments:

Olympe de la Tour D'Auvergne said...

Very, very neat! I'm going to guess Middle Ages on the new shoes, but I did see a bunch with that kind of toe point at the Met from the 19th century.

Samantha said...

oooh i say regency!

Lauren R said...

Gorgeous! I love your colors scheme for these, and they just look absolutely perfect. Very well done :-)

Robin's Egg Bleu said...

The toe is looking medieval to me, and the other shoes you made are AMAZING!!!

Maggie said...

They turned out beautifully! Love them!

Rebecca said...

I'm so in awe of those shoes and your diligence (and amazing skill!) at completing a *second* pair so quickly! They're absolutely gorgeous.

My first pair is, alas, still in pieces. Fingers crossed this summer will bring them to completion! :-)

Very much looking forward to more on your mystery pair up next!

KHerman said...

Been reading for a while, but I'm unsure whether I've commented before.
Your new shoes came out lovely!
Your need for 1912 evening shoes reminded me of both "Downton Abbey" (swoon!) and the shoes sold by American Duchess. Between the two of you, I'm very impressed, both in shoes and period clothing.
As for your new pair, my first thought was Medieval. Then I saw some early 18th-century shoes on the Met Museum's website - so 1700-1740s gets my vote. (Links are way too long, but accession numbers are C.I.44.79 , 2009.300.1414a, b and 13.49.28a, b .)
I know there are Medieval turnshoes extant, but I'm unaware of them having heels. Wouldn't you use a different last for a flat-soled shoe than for one with a heel? Or even with a different heel height?

Augustintytär said...

I adore the second pair. They look very professional.

And my guess would be late baroque to early rococo.

nokomarie said...

Awesome and 15thC!

Ike said...

Id say 17th century

Anna said...

Wow, absolutely beautiful shoes! I am in awe!

seamstress said...

so lovely you are a clever clogs. I have never attampted shoes I am afraid I just concentrate on costumes but I would like to have a go if I can ever find the time! loooking forward to seeing the next ones.

A traveller in time said...

OMG, watch out shoe maker and the elves. They're fabulous! LOVE the soles!
OK I'm not sure whether you intend those pointy toed shoes to have a heel or not. If not then medieval, if yes, then they could be late Stuart era perhaps. They look a little too long and thin to take a high heel. In any case I can't wait to see the results. Congratulations you must feel so happy with them. I would be delirious!

The Dreamstress said...

Ooooooh! You lucky, lucky thing! I want to be able to make shoes! They are so, so beautiful!

And your 1920s shoes *swoon*. I could never wear them - they are just too pretty, and I'd be so scared of damaging them.