Comments for raisedheels

Comment on 18th Century Paste Buckles – Posting From France by raisedheels

raisedheels — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:39:23 +0000

Thank you! Unfortunately, no stock buckles, but I did come away with four pairs of breech buckles also! You can see them at http://www.augusta-auction.com/list-of-upcoming-sales?view=lot&id=12604&auction_file_id=27. If there is a pair you are keen on, I would be delighted to share the wealth!

Comment on 18th Century Paste Buckles – Posting From France by Toni Whyte

Toni Whyte — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:50:43 +0000

Wow. This is awesome. I know the following is not shoe-related, but I wonder about neck-stoce and breeches buckles. Did your auction-haul include any of those?

Comment on 16th C. Jack, Suit, and Boots by raisedheels

raisedheels — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:24:24 +0000

Thanks very much!

Comment on 16th C. Jack, Suit, and Boots by Steven Rothwell

Steven Rothwell — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:40:42 +0000

Excellent job! I hope mine looks half as good as yours!

Comment on Fantastic Extant 1550s – 1570s Velvet Shoes by raisedheels

raisedheels — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:23:16 +0000

That is, indeed, my plan! I appreciate the support. =)

Comment on Fantastic Extant 1550s – 1570s Velvet Shoes by raisedheels

raisedheels — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:22:53 +0000

Sarah, no doubt! Such a hardship to throw yourself out there =)

Comment on Fantastic Extant 1550s – 1570s Velvet Shoes by Trystan

Trystan — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:50:55 +0000

Yo dude! Keep posting spiffy stuff like this! We like – http://trystancraft.com/costume/2013/04/05/very-inspiring-blogger/

Comment on Fantastic Extant 1550s – 1570s Velvet Shoes by Sarah Lorriane

Sarah Lorriane — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:40:15 +0000

I shall valiantly volunteer myself for the first “test pair” you make. Dont thank me, it’s just a service I provide.

Comment on Things I’ve Learned – All about Hammers by raisedheels

raisedheels — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:28:58 +0000

Thanks! And please do let us know how the cobbler’s hammer works out. If it doesn’t quite, Etsy and Ebay always have a decent selection for a good deal. Just get one with a face in good shape!

Comment on Things I’ve Learned – All about Hammers by Scott Perkins

Scott Perkins — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:59:34 +0000

It’s great to see you blogging, Francis! I’ve found a couple of so-called cobbler’s hammers in local antique stores with polished faces on both. I’ll let you know how they do since I haven’t yet found a “French” style like you have there.

It’s interesting that the historical hammers actually look a lot like my cooper’s adze, which were more often used as a hammer than a cutting tool.

Looking forward to more posts!

“I’ve been told that sewing isn’t very manly, to which I respond a sewing machine is just another power tool.”

Comment on Boar Bristles and Coad (wax) – I have them! by raisedheels

raisedheels — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 06:51:57 +0000

Hi Myles, thanks for the comment. Starting in the 16th C., there is evidence for waxed leather boots and shoes, presumably where the grain of the leather is on the inside of the shoe, and the flesh side (well curried, of course) is on the outside, waxed with hot wax (probably beeswax) and rubbed down very well to give a smoother, but still matte, finish. If you don’t have a copy of Garsault’s 18th C. book, I can take a look and see what he says about waxed shoes/boots. The shoemaker’s shop at Colonial Williamsburg (available on Facebook) might also have some insight.

Comment on Boar Bristles and Coad (wax) – I have them! by Myles

Myles — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:26:32 +0000

Just curious if you had more information regarding waxes for leather finishing and protection? I want to create a black, waxed out (very matte, very rough) finish on my shoes/products and wondering how…
You seem informed.

Thanks

Comment on 1560s Shoes for the Ruffiano! by raisedheels

raisedheels — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 04:45:49 +0000

Thank you! The welted construction is consistent with many 1570s shoes, although the exact slashing and scoring pattern was inspired from a variety of extant pieces. There are so many varieties of ornamentation, especially as you get later, that the sky is the limit.

Comment on 1560s Shoes for the Ruffiano! by Martin Moser

Martin Moser — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 01:40:37 +0000

Very nice work again!
Did you build them after an actual find, a painting or …?

Best,
Martin

Comment on Lesson #7: Mid 16th C. Shoes (Stacked Leather) by raisedheels

raisedheels — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 23:56:21 +0000

Thanks for the thoughts! In truth, I have not done much work on narrow-waisted lasts – it’s something that I’ve been meaning to move more towards, but have not focused much on last work. You might check out http://wherearetheelves.net/late-16thc-last-start/ where Alasdair has done a bit of work on 16th C. style lasts. With proper lasts, since the opening is narrow, I would imagine the gap problem would work itself out.

Comment on Lesson #7: Mid 16th C. Shoes (Stacked Leather) by corn maker

corn maker — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:00:13 +0000

Thank you for this fantastic blog! Did you ever try making this type on shoes on a narrow-waisted lasts? I am trying to create something similar, but those narrow insoles are causing some gaping..

Comment on Lesson #1: Late 16th C. Venetian Chopines (Cork) by raisedheels

raisedheels — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:44:37 +0000

Hi Mirm – for taller Venetian chopines, timber seems to have been the rule of thumb. The Venetian examples tend to have more extreme curves and architecture that cork simply cannot support. The chopines in Lesson 1 were constructed of cork due to the ease of carving with power sanders and such, but Lesson 2 chopines are, indeed, made of timber. Another thing to consider is that pantoufles (shorter wedges, ~2″ max) were constructed of either material, and I have seen evidence for both, since there are no extreme curves required.

Comment on Lesson #1: Late 16th C. Venetian Chopines (Cork) by Mirm

Mirm — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:58:14 +0000

I’m interested in Venetian footwear for myself and am curious as to why the choice of cork over timber. My experiences with modern footwear using cork is that it tends to be too soft and quickly becomes unsafe for my ankles because of it’s wobbly softness as a material.

Comment on Grooving the Outsole by raisedheels

raisedheels — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:08:16 +0000

Makes sense! I can certainly see that working well and forming more space for the thread to sink into. I’ve been using some fairly thick saddle skirting for the outsole on many welted shoes, and since I cut a fairly deep stitching groove, the stitching is pretty much hidden when I press the outsole groove closed. Thanks for the comment – your work is quite nice, and I appreciate that you took the time to put a binding strip on the shoe opening. A vast majority of shoes from the Medieval era to the Renaissance have some kind of opening treatment, and although it takes more time, it really does look nice!

Comment on Grooving the Outsole by Martin Moser

Martin Moser — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:43:00 +0000

Thanks for the clear description. I found that a curved, broader awl is also very handy for this job, as it also allows removing some material from the groove, creating extra space where the thread then can rest. Don’t know how to describe the point of the awl best but you can see it at http://sutor.jimdo.com/shoes/renaissance-shoes/mary-rose-cowmouth-2/, towards the bottom.

Comment on Lesson #2: Mid 16th C. Pantoufles (Cork) by raisedheels

raisedheels — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:57:32 +0000

Thank you for the compliments! You know, I have never seen the foam yoga blocks, to be honest. They might be a bit trickier to carve properly, but once you get the form out of them, I don’t see a reason why they wouldn’t work for construction. I would definitely try standing on them first, though – if they compress a lot, then it might not work as well and could trip you up. Do feel free to ask any questions on the process – there are plenty of shortcuts that you can take like using glue instead of awls, etc., that may make it easier for you =)

Comment on Lesson #2: Mid 16th C. Pantoufles (Cork) by Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:24:17 +0000

Hello!

I am loving your tutorials and the thoroughness of your work–
these are FABULOUS.

…

Could I ask for some advice?

I’m making chopines for SoCal Renaissance Faire,
and I was wondering if I would be insane to use foam yoga blocks as opposed to cork.
The foam blocks are far cheaper, and they seem like they would be sturdier for walking.

Am I insane?

Comment on 1530 – 1540s German Shoes by raisedheels

raisedheels — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:58:16 +0000

Thanks for the kind words! We’ve got a team together to do some early Tudor cow mouth shoes, and we’re working some more period looking lasts for those. Should be lots of fun, and I’ll be sure to post some details once we get them rolling.

Comment on 1530 – 1540s German Shoes by Martin Moser

Martin Moser — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:07:06 +0000

Very intereesting and new to me. Thanks for bringing this up! Very nice work indeed and a great site you are maintaining here!
I agree on the modern last problem, they tend to give shoes a look too reminiscent of more modern shoe forms. Looking forward to see you attempts at modifying the lasts!
Best,
Martin

Comment on Boar Bristles and Coad (wax) – I have them! by raisedheels

raisedheels — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:23:41 +0000

Great! I will drop you a note directly.