Boots Boy

HOW A COWBOY BOOT IS MADE

There are many, many steps to completing a custom-made Western 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 (see FOOTnote) of steps necessary to make a boot...click on any of the photos to get yourself a close-up view.

1. Measuring

Take Foot and Calf Measurements

2. Design

Choose leather

Choose toe and heel style

Design boot tops

3. Boot Tops

Prepare paper patterns

Cut tops, lining, front and back stays, and pull-straps out of leather

Skive appropriate edges of top pieces

Assemble tops with cement, including beading

Sew 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! want to buy the best cowboy boot go to HOW A COWBOY BOOT IS MADE

There are many, many steps to completing a custom-made Western 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 (see FOOTnote) of steps necessary to make a boot...click on any of the photos to get yourself a close-up view.