I’m now 8 months into my year of handmade! two thirds of the way through… Above is a small selection of some of my favourite outfits from over the past month, the entire collection so far can be viewed in my Year of Handmade Flickr album for the challenge, here
What to say, what to say… well, I’m still chooffing along, one foot in front of the other, which is an excruciatingly apt analogy since my one big Challenge out of the thing continues to be my shoes! Clothes have presented no problems whatsoever, I’ve been wearing all my own me-made clothes for many years now so zero dramas there. I guess doing this challenge while I was still learning how to make shoes as opposed to feeling comfortably accomplished at it; well that has been the kicker. I still consider myself an advanced beginner, or maybe a low/intermediate shoemaker and am under no illusions as to my abilities. Or lack, thereof, ahem. There have been times I’ve positively longed, longed, I tell you! to just slip on a pair of old sneakers, or a pair of chic high-heeled pumps or pretty stilettos, none of which I am capable of making myself.
So, I guess as a natural follow on from that, I now have a HUGE appreciation for well-made rtw shoes. So far, I’ve mostly avoided going into shoe stores; it’s just been better for my own self esteem not to! because my own shoes do not compare. Anyway, just recently I did; Cassie and I went into Zomp because she wanted a new pair of shoes for herself. Well, I don’t know what I looked like… I think I managed to keep my cool on the outside, but on the inside I was positively drooling. Seriously! Picking up, handling all those lovely shoes, inspecting them all over with hushed and awed reverence, like I was holding my newborn baby for the first time or something… ok I’m exaggerating but honestly, not by much. Possibly it was inevitable that RTW shoes would get set upon a mental pedestal for me right about now. It’s like, in my current new state of awareness, a pair of well made shoes is like the most amazingly beautiful little work of art. Seriously. It’s not easy to make a shoe, let alone a matching pair; and with my newfound appreciation from having struggled to make my own, I’m blown away by how amazingly, perfectly constructed most rtw shoes are.
I know that sounds rather dramatic, yes? well I expect only those of us who have ever gone this far will ever understand what I mean here. I’m wondering what it’s going to even feel like, going back to rtw shoes… will it be amazing? a relief? nothing special? a letdown? Hmm, I can hardy wait for that day to find out 😉
I must admit, I can’t imagine making my own shoes. I feel as though it would be much more difficult than dressmaking – you can probably say whether that’s true! I have certainly enjoyed following your journey though, and your last few pairs have looked really rtw (I particularly loved your boots). I always look forward to reading your blog when a post pops up.
thank you so much, Philippa! and yes indeed, shoemaking is far more difficult that dressmaking! By a long shot! but I feel with experience you do start to get the hang of it and it does get easier 🙂
I’ve found that that particular sense of awe is one of the lovely side benefits to developing a craft; suddenly you’re aware of all of the time, effort and skill that went into making something that once you took completely for granted, and it creates a sense of intrigue and curiosity as you contemplate how and why they chose to use those particular materials/techniques. Aaand then you start stopping strangers in the street to inspect their duds *ahem*…
So true, Julie!
Hang in there. I’m not surprised shoes continue to be a challenge. I’ve pondered shoemaking looking at your lovely handmade shoes as well as the ones Marilla and Julie have made. Wonderful shoes. But the process continues to strike me as technically very challenging and demanding in terms of equipment and sourcing quality materials. I’m rooting for you on the shoe front. Even if you decide not to stick with it, it’s really impressive what you’ve achieved so far. Your shoes may not be as durable as you’d need them to be, but they are really nice.
On the clothes front, your wardrobe is and will be very inspiring for me. Great ideas and great execution. And maybe more importantly, such joy and inventiveness in every garment and ensemble. I love checking the Year of Handmade updates not only to see what you’ve made up recently but also to see pieces you’ve made before in different intriguing combinations.
Julie has said it so well. The challenge with RTW shoes would be the comfort and fit factor like our clothes you are making your shoes for your foot, not the miss average in the shoe store I think this will be the biggest hurdle.
thank you Sharon! ah, the comfort and fit factor are but just two of the multitude challenges when it comes to making shoes…. 😉
I wonder if you will go back to rtw? I think you will now make shoes forever, your investment in them is getting to be quite big.
I hadn’t considered the difficulty of getting a perfectly matching pair. I always used to admire those Camper shoes that had a slightly different design on each shoe. That would be a fun idea to play around with. Congrats on getting two thirds of the way!
Just think of how many years you have been sewing, and how all those years of experience have enabled you to sew beautiful, well-made clothing. The shoe-making is a new endeavor for you, so you cannot compare the results of the two. I am still amazed at the shoes that you make. And I am in awe of the fact that you have taken on this challenge and not wavered. That really does take strength of character! It will be interesting (at least to me) what you will decide at the end of the year – whether this entirely self-made wardrobe lifestyle is something that you wish to continue with, or will you allow some RTW to seep into your closet?
Your year of handmade is so interesting to follow! I can imagine how difficult it is to make a well fitted pair of shoes which is also pretty. I am really picky with shoes to be comfortable, so I guess that I will never make my owns apart from some home slippers or so. But I love to read about your shoemaking and I admire your endurance!
Always interesting to read your thoughts and follow your cobbling journey. I think your shoes look fantastic and though I may not make my own shoes….. and probably never will…. learning vicariously through you has led me to have a newfound appreciation for well-made shoes too. 🙂
I agree with Sue, you’ve definitely invested a lot of time and effort towards learning how to make your own shoes. I think you should continue with your journey. It’s always so amazing and inspiring to see what you make.
Seriously in awe. I look forward to the day those handmade heels and stilettos appear on your blog (because I’m almost certain they will come!).