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?