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Post by JanetM on Feb 19, 2010 13:52:39 GMT -5
Just checked on Amazon.com and there are shoe lasts on there for $1.25 but they are plastic. there are some others but didn't check very many.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 19, 2010 14:49:12 GMT -5
HA! How about that!?! I found them because I ordered the book. I would have purchased but you can't tell them what size you want. I suppose they figure their customer base consists of people who want to dangle them from the ceiling or nail them to the walls as decorations...  But I DID try!  |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 19, 2010 17:27:28 GMT -5
UPDATE - I ordered the book through Amazon. It's used, there were copies with an asking of over $100. This one was rated "Good" and priced at $45 & changed. Under $50 with shipping included. I just got an email notifying me that the book was already with UPS and they had upgraded my shipping to priority. Now that's what I call service!
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Post by bunkie on Feb 21, 2010 11:23:15 GMT -5
hey jo, i'm checking amazon for the book now. i was wondering about making lasts? our neighbor down the road works with wood. if we could find a pattern, i bet you he could make them....maybe... jo, check out these videos on shoemaking... www.shoemakingbook.com/ShoemakingVideos.htm |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 21, 2010 13:31:42 GMT -5
Oh man Bunkie, what the HECK are we getting ourselves into?!?!  Ya know, I used to be able to drink coffee... couldn't hardly tell one from the other. Then I worked a stint at Peet's. Now, if it isn't excellent, I won't bother drinking it. I used to not wear socks. Then I learned how to make socks. Now, I won't wear socks that I haven't made. Shoes? Me? This is gonna be just insane! And have you checked out some of the makers with links on Sharon's site? HOLY COW! They are just awesome! I'm tellin' ya woman, I'm getting as excited about this as I am my garden. Speaking of which, I'm starting to price tools. Lasting pincers, shoemakers pincers, tack hammer ... Janet, how are you doing with your last hunt? Can you see if you can check out some other tools as well? I would be very grateful to get a set used. I really appreciate your willingness to help out with our adventure. You may be earning yourself a pair of handmades! |
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Post by bunkie on Feb 21, 2010 15:42:34 GMT -5
count me in....everything jo wants...i want! ;D
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 22, 2010 10:46:42 GMT -5
Sharon wants to barter with me! WOO HOO! She wants me to knit a soless upper for her. She's sending me all the basic equipment I'll need and even some leather for practicing with. In exchange, I'll knit the uppers, send them to her, and she will felt them and give them SOUL(s) ;o)
Anyway, sounds like we are really on our way. I hadn't even thought of looking at the fabric shoes and boots she makes. Did you?
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Post by bunkie on Feb 28, 2010 11:19:56 GMT -5
excellent jo! i'm still waiting for my book. and, i may have found someone who teaches on the other side of the state.
are you making slippers? did you deside to go with the plastic lasts?
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Post by mnjrutherford on Feb 28, 2010 14:05:50 GMT -5
No lasts at all Bunkie! You did get Christine Lewis' book right? She doesn't use lasts. I haven't read it yet, but the photos show the leather being moistened then shaped directly on the foot. Sharon sent me a crepe sole. Just one, probably so I won't get discouraged in the attempt The shoe we are collaborating on will be a slipper type shoe. I've fiddled with knitting the triangles. Did I tell you she wants me to use Noro?!?! ;D WOO HOO! It's the Kureyon. Such luxury! |
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Post by greenfinger on Mar 2, 2010 10:17:02 GMT -5
Hello, all. I've been lurking about this forum for several weeks...
"She doesn't use lasts. I haven't read it yet, but the photos show the leather being moistened then shaped directly on the foot."
Can you look at your own foot at eye level? "giggle" I am NOT a pretzel! Maybe that idea of duct tape over a sock would be a better idea. Perhaps filled with plaster of paris for stability?
As a seamstress, I know the hazards of trying to fit myself. It is so much easier to fit a garment to someone else!
Anyone read the book yet? It is a bit down on my priority list for purchase.
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Post by bunkie on Mar 3, 2010 9:22:19 GMT -5
welcome to the forum green!
i am still waiting for the book, so haven't read it yet. and yes jo, that's the one!
it does make more sense to get a better fit by using one's own foot i suppose...unless one made a last of one's foot.
i should get the book sometime this week...
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Post by mnjrutherford on Mar 3, 2010 11:23:37 GMT -5
Greetings Greenfinger! You don't need to look at your foot. It's pretty easy to bend over and stretch the moist leather over your foot enough to attain the approximate shape and make the needed markings for the allowance necessary to attach the upper to the sole. I'm a seamstress as well so I hear ya bout fitting yourself.
The book we are getting focuses on using minimal tools and equipment, making it much less expensive to get started. Lasts, made to order for your feet, start at about $150 and go up to $500. That is JUST for 1 style of shoe. That would work for me actually, but I need to make shoes for 4 of us and 2 of us are growing boys. So, being able to do the job without lasts is important.
Now, you CAN get generic lasts as little as $25 each. BUT, typically you are expected to get a "run" meaning you get a range of sizes and all of a single style. That's great if you intend to make shoes for others, but again, it's expensive for the short term and it won't answer my need right now. I have found some lasts on eBay for $1.25. However, the seller says "We pick them for you. Most are around a size 6 or 7." Meaning that it's a grab bag and they are gonna grab and send you what they grab.
After looking at the book, I'm really not convinced that lasts are all the necessary. I sure am interested to hear your take on the matter when you've had the chance to read the book Bunkie.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Mar 8, 2010 8:02:04 GMT -5
Hey Bunkie! Do you have the book in hand yet? I've gotten Sharon's book as well now. I haven't read it yet though, just glanced through. TONS of photos, historical trivia that is very interesting, and the shoes with pattern ideas and directions are really great. I can hardly wait to get on with the production part of the program. I finished the cape project and got it into the mail Friday and I started knitting the slipper parts Saturday. As soon as I have her project done and in the mail, I'll start bugging her about making my shoes! ;o)
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Post by bunkie on Mar 8, 2010 13:46:54 GMT -5
hey jo, the book came in yesterday's mail. i've skimmed through it and i agree, i don't think the lasts are necessary....at least for now. the pics i saw in her book were fitting material to foot. i have to take some time and read it more thoroughly.
what is sharon's book that you mentioned?
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Post by mnjrutherford on Mar 21, 2010 15:43:34 GMT -5
Hey! Sorry, I didn't see this one.... I can't think of the name of it... ah yes, "Crafting Handmade Shoes". It's a self-published tome and I really like it. The info is very straightforward and she throws in a lot of fascinating historical trivia that points out various aspects of the craft.
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But I DID try! 
Ya know, I used to be able to drink coffee... couldn't hardly tell one from the other. Then I worked a stint at Peet's. Now, if it isn't excellent, I won't bother drinking it. I used to not wear socks. Then I learned how to make socks. Now, I won't wear socks that I haven't made. Shoes? Me? This is gonna be just insane! And have you checked out some of the makers with links on Sharon's site? HOLY COW! They are just awesome! I'm tellin' ya woman, I'm getting as excited about this as I am my garden. Speaking of which, I'm starting to price tools. Lasting pincers, shoemakers pincers, tack hammer ...
