Finished Projects!

This past week I either finished or shipped my most recent projects - the ankle boots and the second trial versions of the Velo shoes.

These ankle boots are done in Horween leather from my library. The upper design is a blend of a derby and a balmoral design - well suited to using contrasting materials:

The foot is a Black-cherry Chromexel that I've been holding onto for years (gorgeous, but too heavy for most of my work), and the tops are out of the Vintage Buccaneer London-bus Red. The lining and tongue are the Vermont lining leather in the Wakami color.

The construction is my stand-by of the semi-stitch-out construction, finished with a wedge heel and a ripple sole.

I happy with the way these came out!
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I've also finished the second trial of the Velo shoes:

The first two are in the Buccaneer leather with Vermont facings:

  

This second one was done as a special request. I had the lasts available, so I was able to make the pair in two different sizes. You might be able to pick it up in the full size image, but I altered the facing pattern a little to minimize bulk around this customers particular foot:

  

This pair is done in a new leather I picked up as a potential replacement for the Rust Buccaneer. It's a bit too thick to use as both uppers and facings - especially in toeclips - but this customer doesn't bike, so it's not an issue. My supplier hasn't been stocking the small sizes of the rubber sole I've been using for walking soles, so it has a different option:

 

I did make a pair for myself this go-round. I used an odd piece of Horween leather I had lying around with some of the scraps from an Italian veg-tan I had left-over form a project several years ago. They match a set of toeclips I wrapped when I was working them out for a customer. I'll try to grab a shot later of them together:

 

Overall, I'm happy with this version of the Velos. There are some definite improvements over the first version, but some of the others I'd like to find a happy medium on. As far as time and efficiency, it is better for me to do a larger number of pairs in a run, but it was good to see the results of some bits on a small scale.

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I'm working on some non-paying projects currently, but I am taking new jobs - and don't forget to check out my Etsy store for my small leather goods!

Velo 2 Update and Facebook

I thought I'd show you some more progress on the new Velo shoes. The uppers are on the last, though not affixed to insoles yet, but now you can see some of the changes I've made to the design:

I've reduced the toe stiffener, but extended the toe facing towards the tip - it takes up some of the work of the stiffener, while adding some visual interest. The small alteration to the last and the pattern has significantly improved the toe - I think that at this point it might ultimately be down to firming up the procedure. I'm using three different types of leathers on this iteration - that may become a critical factor once I have these at the "production" stage.
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Facebook stuff:
I've been posting most frequently on the Facebook page. To help with continuity and keep information flowing, it makes the most sense to focus the WIP stuff on Facebook (images mostly), while using this site for finished work and essay type stuff. If you like seeing the random WIP pictures, make sure you follow me on Facebook so you don't miss out!
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One last thing (yes, sometimes I act like Columbo) - a reminder that I do take custom orders. Whatever you're looking for - shoot me an e-mail to curious@riotgeer.com and we can discuss the possibilities! This is a custom pair of boots that are nearing completion:

 

Until later!

Velo V2 Update

I've been waiting to post an update on the new version of the Velo shoes until there was visual evidence. I'm pressed fro time, but here's a couple items.

A big plus has been working machines - I'm no longer forced to run all over to sew bits and bobs elsewhere! After some fiddling, I figured out what was wrong with my one machine for zig-zagging the seams. Much neater and they only require minor reinforcement before the facings get sewn on:



Recently, I acquired a new walking foot machine. This one can sew pretty heavy materials - and specifically - I can use a very heavy sewing thread which I like the look of. With a special attachment I can apply seam binding easily - initially I wanted this for building bags, but it also makes a particularly vexing part of the Velo's much easier and cleaner. I'm still working trouble shooting a bit, but it is a vast improvement over V1:


The tongues now have retainer tabs on them to keep them from wandering off to the side:


There are some other changes to the patterns, but I'm waiting until they're lasted to show them. Some relatively unseen changes are to the internal structures and the lasts, that should improve some of the problematic finishing on the first ones.

I'm about to finish the backs, and move on to the toes and tongues:



In non-Velo news, here's a picture of a pair of ankle boots I'm working on:


Don't forget to check out my Etsy store to see my new wallets!

Gotta run!

Etsy!

I was traveling last weekend, so I didn't have many opportunities to post my new items to my Etsy store - but some of them are now listed!

I've made some new variations on my wallets, as well as a few of my card cases. The first items I've freshly listed are the wallets I'm tentatively calling the "Apiary" group - they are named for different types of bees and wasps.



Not up yet are some one of a kind wallets from limited materials Maybe tonight or tomorrow?

If you were missing my other wallets - they are back after a momentary disappearance from my store!

I have not posted about my Velo shoes in a while - I'm planning on posting about the changes to this next group, as well as some new stuff in my studio that's going to help with one of the processes that was being difficult - as well as making a huge improvement to my wallets and opening up the possibility of some bags in the future.