I’ve finished the next coupla components in my 1 year 1 outfit project!
First up; shoes!
Following the same formula that I used for my previous two pairs of shoes; these have a carved wooden base and a fabric top. For the soles I used Western Australian pine from Bunnings.
I actually had several pieces of wood from which to choose for this project; my Dad had given me some marri from their block; and I also, albeit briefly, considered jarrah as another truly Western Australian product. Also, my brother had given me some jacaranda logs from when he had to lop a branch from the tree in their back yard. But I eventually decided to go with pine … why? Well it’s the softest, lightest and easiest to work with! and our ancient old bandsaw has finally given out, meaning it was going to be a ginormous struggle to cut the marri or jacaranda or jarrah either on any of our other equipment. These are all pretty rock hard woods, also both marri and jarrah weigh a tonne and you’d only want very thin soles of it for a shoe. Pine was the path of least resistance. I have definitely not ruled out using the other wood that I have for future pairs of shoes though. I just need to get better at woodworking first 🙂
Craig helped me with the big cutting and I did the finer shaping using the belt sander, and hand-sanding out the heel groove and some grooves for the ball of my feet. I also carved my initials, just for fun 🙂
The upper is 100% Western Australian Merino wool felt; made from natural, undyed, white fleece and natural, undyed, handspun black sheep’s wool as outlined in this post. By the way; I incorrectly stated in my previous post on my dress that the wool I used for the felt was Corriedale, and I have since discovered that it was pure Merino wool, sorry! I’ve corrected the error in that post now. And am actually rather thrilled to be wrong, to be honest!
Anyway my black and white “plaid” was the thickest and strongest of the felts that I made, so I kept it for these more demanding of my outfit components. Sadly, I realised that it’s still not particularly sturdy and is probably going to stretch out pretty quickly :(( But I’ve devised a devious plan to cope with the inevitability of The Stretch, mwahahahaha… see that central seam running right down the top/middle? well as it stretches out I can just unpick it, cinch in the top seam a bit, trim and re-stitch. Simple! And when it has stretched out past the point of saving, which it will; then I can easily unscrew the screws from the sides, remove the whole felt top and substitute something sturdier like leather. Hopefully I can somehow find a nice piece of thick WA leather, so that my shoes will still be eligible as a 1 year 1 outfit piece!
OK: confession time… I did have to cheat on a few minor parts of this project; the glue holding the pine layers together is made in NSW, and the screws holding the felt upper to the wooden soles are made in *embarrassed whisper* China. I did investigate making these; and concluded that to make my own local glue and “nails” is both possible and achievable. You can make your own glue using boiled animal bones, sap, or milk and vinegar; and I could have made wooden “nails” using jarrah or pine dowel. And originally I was seriously gung-ho about doing just that; until my Dad and my husband advised me to get real.
You see, the wooden soles are honestly such a hugely time-consuming and difficult component for me to make that I really really wanted them to hold together firm and fast and be perfectly secure; and NOT EVER fall apart. A rank woodworking beginner like me could all-too-easily destroy my carefully hand carved soles trying to ram wooden dowel “nails”, with hot homemade glue dripping everywhere; and even then if I was miraculously successful; they could later on just fall out or snap at a moment’s notice. Which, according to my experienced father and my husband; is pretty darn likely.
And I would, um, yeah; be sad. Understatement of the year, right there.
Anyway, I went the route of properly manufactured wood glue and steel screws… but I just want to say, for the record, that I did investigate the 100% hardcore approach, and gave it serious and careful thought.
And I do not regret not going there either, not one little bit, sorry! You can only do so much!
What is more! I will also be gluing some thick rubber to the soles to protect them from damage. I haven’t done that yet, I plan to “show” them first in this virginal state. But I will.
Exhibit two; a bag!
And it perfectly matches my shoes, hehe. Isn’t that the old fashion must-do advice for a lady from the 50’s or something? I seem to remember reading somewhere that a lady would never dream of sashaying out with non-matching shoes and bag. Ancient stuff, I know; we definitely do not adhere to such a strict dress code anymore! But I had enough felt for it so here I am, totally regressing to the standards of a previous era.
ooo yea.
It’s just a simple, um, something-bag? A sort of rustic briefcase? I don’t know the correct term to describe this kind of bag. A fold-over, almost-envelope, with rectangular side gusset thingies to make it box-like. It’s all held together and decorated with blanket stitch. For the handhold; I cut and blanket-stitch edged three slits that line up with each other through all layers. Ta da! Simple, but it does the trick.
I like the way the felt is thick enough that it can stand up by itself… just.
I am toying with a few extra components for my 1year1outfit project, but minor things that may or may not come to anything. However, they may; fingers crossed. If all else fails, at least I do have a complete outfit now!
Amazing job with your shoes Carolyn!! I'm especially impressed with your hand carved soles!
Wow! I am once again blown away by your talent! These look great!
Hi Carolyn,
I've just happened to run into this brand new post of yours. Wow. The accessoiries both turned out great. I admire that you handmade the wooden soles of your shoes.The screws are a smart addition – I guess Chinese screws are ok if you don't make shoes like these professionally 😉 Also the bag looks gorgeous. I believe it doesn't only match your felted dress and cardigan but also other more mundane outfits. Beautiful!
Gosh, that is one amazing challenge and an even more amazing outfit. Have really enjoyed following your journey from sourcing raw materials to creating the wonderful garments and accessories. Quite an achievement and looking forward to seeing the big reveal once it is completed.
thank you so much Dilliander! I'm waiting for a good opportunity to wear the whole outfit together, and sharing it here too! 🙂
There is nothing you can't do!!!
All I can say is I am seriously impressed … nearly speechless with your talents
thank you so much Kathleen! that's very kind of you 🙂
Fantastic shoes, think you can be let off the small screws!
Great, you made shoes! I would really like to try that too, but I have never worked with wood and it seems very complicated to me. I cannot believe that you made the soles from an actual tree 😀 That's just amazing! I think it was a wise choice to use standard glue and nails, the one year one outfit project should be fund and not obsessive I think, to me it is more about mindfulness. And you've given it enough thought.
The bag also looks great!
Great shoes. . .Can't wait to see the whole outfit all together.
thank you! I will show it here pretty soon, I'm excited to wear it all together actually! 🙂
Those shoes are INCREDIBLE! In love <3
Wow, I can't believe it, you made shoes!! Fabulous – and they will go so well with the dress you have made for your 1 year 1 outfit. Can't wait to see the whole outfit together.
thanks Shelly! Yes, I'm really excited to "reveal" my whole outfit together too… I'm quite pleased with it all 🙂
I cannot wait to see everything together. Both the shoes and the bag are wonderful. Very well done on finishing!!
Amazing! You are one talented woman!
thank you very much Melissa!
That's so AWESOME!!!!
Wow. DIY taken to the max!
Nothing wrong with the screws in my mind and I expect you could get quite a few commissions for these handmade items,
Fantastic!
I am doing a complete outfit thing at the moment, I will comment you when I am done. I think they are awesome and you are right they have to actually work as shoes otherwise why bother!!Jo xx
Wow! That's all I have to say, because my jaw is still on the floor.
fantastic, I would so love to make shoes, always been a dream of mine. an apprenticeship in Florence – can you imagine? love the bag as well. I kind of miss the matching shoes and bag thing, it can really set off an outfit. (and I predict will come back someday)
Great! Amazing! You are the best! Bravo!!!!
woww
I'm still so impressed that you can make your own shoes! If you can find the leather you want, would it work to line the felt with that to keep it from stretching and still keep the original look?
I am just totally amazed that you made those shoes! The bag is great too. Wow!
It is amazing how you have Made your Pen shoes ! Congratulations!!!
Epic. Win! I love the CS feature on your shoes- great future proofing 😀
Wow! I have a deep and abiding interest in your shoe-making. If you ever do the animal bones and sap glue, please let me know and make sure you get it on video. O sometimes makes his own screws but gah! Your shoes shock and amaze with their awesomeness. I have a pair of booties with wood soles that I could as a template but nowhere to do power-sanding which seems to be essential. Anyway, well done! The clops must be music to your ears. And the matching bag. Yet another feat. Wear all with joy!
Imagination + skill + determination + so much more = Carolyn
Just lovely, Carolyn!!!
Incredible and wonderful. Your shoes improve with every pair and the matching bag is a triumph!
These look like a lot of work! But beautiful felt and such fun to look at. Can't wait to see the whole outfit together.
Is there anything you can't make? Love these beauties.
This is beyond impressive. I can't believe you seriously considered making your own *nails*. I am looking forward to seeing the whole outfit and I am curious about those other components which may or may not happen…
so cool!!!
Absolutely amazing!!!
You've outdone yourself this time Carolyn, there is truly nothing that you can't do!
You are just so talented!
Fabulous and I wish I had witnessed your chaps being the voice of reason – hilarious!
they are brilliant. I love them.
Superb. Yet again I am in awe of your ability. Well done Carolyn
Wow! I'm working on my 1 year 1 outfit garments at the moment but I never even considered shoes! Seriously impressive as always. x
Oh my gosh, you are amazing.
Truly impressed with your woodworking and I really like the bag. Can you actually walk in those shoes? Or are they more to look at?
I can walk in them just fine, but well, they're clogs, so dancing is out!
Wow, your 1year 1 outfit outfit is truely fantastic and these are just icing on the cake. Great work.
Amazing shoes and a bag to match, Are we going to see it all together?
You are beyond amazing!!!!!!! Not only are you a fabric expert, but also a wood expert! I can't tell you how impressed I am right now. This is such an inspiring project you're undertaking xxx
I think the shoes might be my favorite part of this whole outfit!! I mean, the entire thing is amazing, but SHOES???? and not just a fabric slipper-ish shoe, but real shoes, with HEELS…. (And this is not your first pair??) Can you recommend your favorite resources?
Happy making ~ Tracy
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Really cool. And inspirational.
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