Hello. I’ve made some new shoes… some black suede oxfords. My fourth pair of black oxfords. Fourth?! Ha!
Yes, four pairs seems a tad excessive, mmmmm? but really, my first three pairs were all in the realm of practise runs really. I’ve still been wearing them all, because, well, they all work just fine! and there’s nothing more useful than a pair of black oxfords in winter… they go with everything. But my new ones are possibly the first ones that I feel I needn’t be at all ashamed of! No need to sheepishly hide my feet under my chair at ladies’ gatherings, hehe… Nowadays I finally feel like I’m getting shoe-making right and it’s even… dare I say it? actually quite… easy? Yes, I dare. Well, I’ve made quite a lot now, so it’s about time I got my act together!
I decided I was desperately in need of a new pair when I got out these ones to wear with my new tartan shirtdress… they too have been rain-drenched a few times and are looking pretty tired now. 🙁 Yes, it’s a bit sad when something once wonderful to yourself is no longer so wonderful; but shoes do get worn, so it’s inevitable. Only just a teeny bit sad though, since; well, now I have some new ones!! Which I reckon are much, much better. 🙂
These are made in black REAL suede, which is actually a product of the old Fremantle Tannery, an institution sadly now long long gone. Losing our old, local, heritage industries is a very sad state of affairs, however I’m glad that at least I’ve managed to get my hands on this little bit of local history, right here, and feel like I’ve honoured it by putting it to good use and making something worthy. Up until now I’ve been terrified of ruining this precious piece … I have such a very tiny stash of real leather and do not want to stuff any of it up! but I feel like my cobbling skills have improved a bit and I’ve shaken those fears off now. I bought this suede from Bilby Yarns, a treasure trove of Western Australian raw materials. That’s where I bought all my local merino and corriedale fleece when I did my one year one outfit project. I was sooooo thrilled when June unearthed some locally made leather for me!
They are lined completely with chocolate brown faux suede, from Spotlight, and the toe puffs and heel counters are made with stretch cotton denim and lots of PVA glue, as described in this post here.
The soles are cut from rubber sheeting, from Bunnings. I made my own stacked heels, as usual, glued them all together with contact adhesive, and sanded them all off nice and smooth before giving them a blacking, and finally a coat of satin varnish. On some of my shoes I’ve started to varnish underneath the soles too, like I saw Andrew Wrigley does with his handmade shoes. At the time I watched his video I wondered about the practicality of this; after all, isn’t that varnish going to get all scuffed up almost immediately? Now I like doing it too. Sure, it’s going to get scratched up, but it does look nice when it’s all new and shiny like this. And maybe it does help to protect that sole, for just a little bit longer than otherwise 🙂
Those are incredible. I’m in awe!
thanks so much MayravB; I’m pretty thrilled with how they turned out 🙂
Love your new shoes Caroline! ha! Will just have to share this new addition with the women in my group that just can’t get over the fact that you make your own shoes 🙂
thank you very much, Kathleen! 🙂
incredible ! You are so succesful !!!! They are nice
thank you! 🙂
Those ones have a very smooth toe, you are getting better aren’t you? hang in there for the spring sunshine – at least you are giving your shoes a good test out. Jo x
thank you, and thank goodness for spring! I’ve been wearing this shoes nearly every day since I made them, they’re my new favourites 🙂
fantastic, I hope these last a long time. And question – have you considered making loafers? a slip on style? or is having the laces a help for the fit?
thanks Beth, and yes, in fact I made slip-on shoes only very recently; these beige suedette shoes
The laces don’t make any difference to the fit, they are only there if you need to open them more to get your foot in.
What I love about this project is how you didn’t go to school to learn how to do this – you studied on your own with the resources at hand and went for it fueled by passion. And now it’s not scary and you can be assured of achieving stellar results, like these shoes. Love them!!
thanks so much Melanie, your words mean a lot to me. I really really want above all else to be at least half as creative and clever as you are with your clothes one day 🙂
Great shoes. The black suede is always smart!
thanks Andrea! These are the shoes I wish I’d made at the beginning of winter, not the end!
Love them! You are definitely one of the most inspiring and creative blogs there is.
aw thank so much Shirley, that’s so kind of you to say xx:)
They look fabulous! You have become quite the cobbler 🙂
thank you Kay! I’m learning new things with each pair, there’s so much and it’s still fun, so that’s good!
Love these beautiful shoes. Love them.
thank you Tomasa! 🙂
Beautiful black loafers.
thank you, Sharon, but they’re Oxfords! I don’t want to get all pedantic on you but loafers are a completely different thing… no laces for one thing!
You’ve definitely came a long way with your shoes, this pair looks beautiful and very comfortable!
thank you Michal! 🙂
Wonderful, I really like the suede!
thank you Sue! I love suede too.. I wish I had more! 🙂
Gorgeous pair of shoes! And a sweet emotional connection with the source of the suede. These truly do look fantastic!
thank you Lisa! I am super please with how they turned out, and wish I’d had the skills to make these at the beginning of winter, rather than at the end! My winter would have been that much more well-shod 😉 xx
Lovely shoes – you’re doing so well.
thank you Norma! 🙂
Beautiful!!! You are so talented, Carolyn! I’m amazed everytime I stop by your blog.
As for the scuff marks, I’ve seen some sprays sold in stores for suede winter boots so they are not affected by rain or sleet. Maybe thats available in Australia too?
thank you so much! My suede actually has no scuff marks, do you mean the scuff marks I mentioned on the sole of the shoes? I think they’re inevitable, no matter what. 🙂
These are really fantastic!
thanks Lisa! 🙂
I can’t believe you’re still getting better with every pair, but you are! Those looks amazing, incredible that you got so far within one year only. You really are a pro and I believe you can make anything if you set your mind to it, you are so talented.
thank you so much my dear Katharina! that is so sweet of you to say xx:)
That last photo is begging a little ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ foot Stylin’ Carolyn. Keep up the fancy footwork – boom boom!
😀
Wow, your footwear continues to look more and more professional!
thanks shams! I’m always so inspired by your wonderful Trippens footwear and am slowly and deviously working my way up to copying some eventually! 🙂
I’m a lurker who has read and marveled at your blog for several years. I have to say that I am beyond impressed with your shoe making skills. Most days when I head out the door, the only thing I am wearing that I didn’t make is my ring and my shoes so for me, shoes are the final frontier. Your cobbling adventures have been fascinating and inspiring and the quality of your finished product is just so very good. Thanks for posting abut your process and for showing us the great pictures of your work.
thank you so much Allison! Your words, “shoes are the final frontier” were my exact same words a couple of years ago… so maybe shoes are next on your agenda too then? Please let me know if you go ahead and make some, I’d love to see 🙂
Hi Carolyn!
Wonderful shoes. They are really pretty.
On pintrest i see oxfords with cut out panels all the time and I adore them, could that be something for you?
thank you Jannie! Yes, I’ve pinned a whole lot of lovely shoes with cut out panels too! truly I would like to make more interesting/colourful/funky shoes in the future. I feel like all my time is taken up with making basics and essentials right now 🙂
Carolyn, your shoe making has really come a long way. These look so good, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from RTW shoes. But of course, yours are better, they’re made for your feet!
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