Monday, May 14, 2012

New York Shoemaking Course 2012 Day 7

Day 7, begins with a new week and a new teacher. Having flown in yesterday, it was great to meet the students. And what a lovely group they are! Deborah said it had been a pleasure to teach them and I can understand why.

Today saw everyone trimming their soles with their very sharp knives! Followed by cutting a channel which seems to be everyone's favourite stage. Needless to say, they all did admirably with a little help from me).




Next came stitching the soles which is a much easier task than sewing the welt, so everyone was happily surprised.


Apart from a bit of bristle slippage, it went by smoothly.







One word of warning though. Don't put your awl into the welt too near the edge, because this is what can happen. While pulling the threads through, the whole sole gave way - quite a breakthrough! I have to say, I had never seen this, so it's true, you learn something new every day.



All in a good day, so well done everyone. We will finish stitching the soles tomorrow and start building heels.