at Custom-Boots.NET

HOW A BOOT IS MADE

There are many, many steps to completing a custom-made boot. Some you can see when you hold a boot in your hand, others are hidden from view once a boot is finished and ready to wear. Below is a summary of steps necessary to make a boot ... click on any of the photos to get yourself a close-up view.

1. Measuring Foot, Calf and Leg Measurements based on the accurate measurements you have made and sent to us electronically.	2. Designing Your Boots We select the leather, the toe and heel style & heel height and incorporate any design you desire for the boot tops.
3. Boot Tops We prepare paper patterns and from these paper patterns, we cut the tops, lining, front and back stays, and pull-straps out of leather.	Then, we skive the appropriate edges of top pieces and we assemble the tops with cement, including beading. Next, we sew the tops and pull-straps with inlays, overlays, and stitch patterns.
4. Vamps Cut vamps and lining Stretch vamps and lining over crimpboards. Measure, trim and attach vamps and foot linings to tops.	5. Counters Cut out hard leather counter and counter cover Slit, fit, and cement counter to boot top Skive and cement counter Sew counter and counter cover to top, trim.
6. Side Seaming and Pull Straps Cut, cement, and sew side welt (piping) Rub seams down flat Attach pull-straps Turn tops right-side-out	7. Fitting the Last Compare standard last to foot measurements Build up last (if necessary) with leather Smooth finish
8. Insole Nail insole to the last Trim and shape insole Cut channel for welt	9. Lasting the boot and Toe Box Stretch wet vamp and counter over last Anchor with tacks Turn back vamp leather and position toe boxes Cement, dry and smooth toe boxes Pull and anchor vamp leather over toe boxes
10. Inseaming, placing shanks and shank covers Punch holes through insole with awl Stitch inseaming thread through welt and insole Trim and flatten seam Sew in shank, sew or peg around heel Insert steel shank or flattened 40 penny nail Fill in shank and bottom of insole with leather pieces Shape/grind shank, then peg	11. Attaching Soles and Pegging Trim welt to desired width Cement and trim sole to welt Sew and peg soles Ink and finish front of sole
12. Stacking Heels Stack, cement and trim layers of heel leather Nail or peg heels, and add rubber heel cap Sand heels to final matching shape	13. Finishing the Boot Ink the heel Polish Pull the last out, sand pegs inside boot Insert heel pad

Put 'em on your feet ... and ENJOY!

Click on the Boots link above, so we can start making yours!