Lisa Sorrell
@customboots.bsky.social
Cowboy boots -- maker, speaker, teacher, writer
LGBT -- ally
Evangelical -- used to be one, won't be back
LGBT -- ally
Evangelical -- used to be one, won't be back
I can't believe I get to make this pair of boots. They're a reproduction of a vintage pair that I have loved for years.
February 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I can't believe I get to make this pair of boots. They're a reproduction of a vintage pair that I have loved for years.
I was a little slow putting these together because I kept pausing to admire the colors and the effect of the cognac alligator with the chocolate boot tops.
January 31, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I was a little slow putting these together because I kept pausing to admire the colors and the effect of the cognac alligator with the chocolate boot tops.
These boot tops are making me happy.
January 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM
These boot tops are making me happy.
This set of boot tops has been incredibly bossy about how they're going to be brought into the world.
January 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM
This set of boot tops has been incredibly bossy about how they're going to be brought into the world.
Completed set of inlaid and stitched boot tops, with pulls
The second photo shows what the inlay looks like from the back, before it's lined and stitched.
The second photo shows what the inlay looks like from the back, before it's lined and stitched.
January 24, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Completed set of inlaid and stitched boot tops, with pulls
The second photo shows what the inlay looks like from the back, before it's lined and stitched.
The second photo shows what the inlay looks like from the back, before it's lined and stitched.
I've really been in the mood to cut, skive, and sew boot tops and shoe uppers recently. At some point I'm going to have to begin lasting everything and building boots! In the meantime, here's the next set of uppers on the work bench.
January 21, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I've really been in the mood to cut, skive, and sew boot tops and shoe uppers recently. At some point I'm going to have to begin lasting everything and building boots! In the meantime, here's the next set of uppers on the work bench.
I got these shoe/boots on the last today! I've been quietly terrified I'd forgotten how to last shoes, but they were so compliant. Maybe I'm also getting better at patterning.
While these will be made on a cowboy boot last, they are shoes and are patterned like shoes rather than cowboy boots.
While these will be made on a cowboy boot last, they are shoes and are patterned like shoes rather than cowboy boots.
January 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
I got these shoe/boots on the last today! I've been quietly terrified I'd forgotten how to last shoes, but they were so compliant. Maybe I'm also getting better at patterning.
While these will be made on a cowboy boot last, they are shoes and are patterned like shoes rather than cowboy boots.
While these will be made on a cowboy boot last, they are shoes and are patterned like shoes rather than cowboy boots.
I love it when my customers prove me wrong. When this client chose the colors, I thought it would be bland and I wished he'd chosen brighter colors. I was mistaken! I love how deep and rich and elegant these colors are together!
#lisasorrell #cowboyboots #leatherart #bespoke #itsabootlife
#lisasorrell #cowboyboots #leatherart #bespoke #itsabootlife
January 11, 2025 at 12:04 AM
I love it when my customers prove me wrong. When this client chose the colors, I thought it would be bland and I wished he'd chosen brighter colors. I was mistaken! I love how deep and rich and elegant these colors are together!
#lisasorrell #cowboyboots #leatherart #bespoke #itsabootlife
#lisasorrell #cowboyboots #leatherart #bespoke #itsabootlife
If you look closely you'll see that there are four of the larger pieces stacked on top of each other; the design is cut completely by hand with an X-Acto knife. The top one is upside down because one is a mirror image of the other. Initial pulls are not reversed.
January 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
If you look closely you'll see that there are four of the larger pieces stacked on top of each other; the design is cut completely by hand with an X-Acto knife. The top one is upside down because one is a mirror image of the other. Initial pulls are not reversed.
Finally starting a real pair of cowboy boots
January 8, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Finally starting a real pair of cowboy boots
It's not quite a Derby and not quite an Oxford. I prefer Oxfords but I hate the way the tongue lining is done and the closed, fixed lace gap. On the other hand, I don't like sewing the quarter over the vamp on a Derby. This design solves both those issues for me.
January 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
It's not quite a Derby and not quite an Oxford. I prefer Oxfords but I hate the way the tongue lining is done and the closed, fixed lace gap. On the other hand, I don't like sewing the quarter over the vamp on a Derby. This design solves both those issues for me.
All four bluebird top panels are stitched. Considering each panel took me around an hour, I'm pleased to have them finished. My usual goal when designing and stitching a boot top is to be able to start, stitch the entire boot top, and finish right back where I began without stopping.
December 20, 2024 at 12:10 AM
All four bluebird top panels are stitched. Considering each panel took me around an hour, I'm pleased to have them finished. My usual goal when designing and stitching a boot top is to be able to start, stitch the entire boot top, and finish right back where I began without stopping.
I have one (1) of the four (4) bluebird top panels stitched. This is going to take a while.
December 17, 2024 at 9:43 PM
I have one (1) of the four (4) bluebird top panels stitched. This is going to take a while.
My original plan was to introduce the color lavender in the shaft of the feather. Friday I flirted with making it purple instead but I hated it, so I took out all of the purple leather and replaced it with lavender. It looks so much better. I'll do all the stitching with lavender also.
December 17, 2024 at 12:31 AM
My original plan was to introduce the color lavender in the shaft of the feather. Friday I flirted with making it purple instead but I hated it, so I took out all of the purple leather and replaced it with lavender. It looks so much better. I'll do all the stitching with lavender also.
Today's work: shoe uppers and cowboy boot tops
December 13, 2024 at 10:47 PM
Today's work: shoe uppers and cowboy boot tops
More little birdies and butterflies and flowers are stitched.
December 11, 2024 at 11:45 PM
More little birdies and butterflies and flowers are stitched.
I'm working on another small pair of shoes with teeny tiny birds and flowers. I'm ready to make shoes or boots for someone who's a size 12 now, please.
December 11, 2024 at 12:00 AM
I'm working on another small pair of shoes with teeny tiny birds and flowers. I'm ready to make shoes or boots for someone who's a size 12 now, please.
My reflection art piece, titled "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand," has gone to a new home. He's promised to love it and take care of it and allow me to visit when necessary.
I need to make more art pieces. Maybe then I won't be so emotionally attached to each one.
I need to make more art pieces. Maybe then I won't be so emotionally attached to each one.
December 9, 2024 at 9:45 PM
My reflection art piece, titled "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand," has gone to a new home. He's promised to love it and take care of it and allow me to visit when necessary.
I need to make more art pieces. Maybe then I won't be so emotionally attached to each one.
I need to make more art pieces. Maybe then I won't be so emotionally attached to each one.
The little birdie uppers are together and ready to be put on the last. I have one more pair of shoe uppers to make before I begin lasting though.
December 9, 2024 at 5:17 PM
The little birdie uppers are together and ready to be put on the last. I have one more pair of shoe uppers to make before I begin lasting though.
All the little birdies are stitched.
December 5, 2024 at 10:56 PM
All the little birdies are stitched.
"Little birdie, little birdie
Won't you sing to me your song
Got a short time to stay here
And a long time to be gone"
Won't you sing to me your song
Got a short time to stay here
And a long time to be gone"
December 4, 2024 at 11:51 PM
"Little birdie, little birdie
Won't you sing to me your song
Got a short time to stay here
And a long time to be gone"
Won't you sing to me your song
Got a short time to stay here
And a long time to be gone"
I cut out the shaped holes in the shoe quarters. Next I'll layer in all those randomly-shaped bits like little colored puzzle pieces and they'll become bluebirds and feathers.
December 3, 2024 at 12:30 AM
I cut out the shaped holes in the shoe quarters. Next I'll layer in all those randomly-shaped bits like little colored puzzle pieces and they'll become bluebirds and feathers.
I sold both of these art pieces today and as always, it feels like a little piece of me leaves with them.
I'm a cowboy boot maker, known for intricate inlay, overlay, and stitching work, and I use the same techniques for my art. There's no painting, only different pieces of leather.
I'm a cowboy boot maker, known for intricate inlay, overlay, and stitching work, and I use the same techniques for my art. There's no painting, only different pieces of leather.
December 2, 2024 at 5:51 PM
I sold both of these art pieces today and as always, it feels like a little piece of me leaves with them.
I'm a cowboy boot maker, known for intricate inlay, overlay, and stitching work, and I use the same techniques for my art. There's no painting, only different pieces of leather.
I'm a cowboy boot maker, known for intricate inlay, overlay, and stitching work, and I use the same techniques for my art. There's no painting, only different pieces of leather.
Looks like I need to pop some popcorn and settle in with an entertaining book or three.
“A History of American Manufactures” 1608 to 1860, Volumes I, II, and III
“A History of American Manufactures” 1608 to 1860, Volumes I, II, and III
December 2, 2024 at 4:08 PM
Looks like I need to pop some popcorn and settle in with an entertaining book or three.
“A History of American Manufactures” 1608 to 1860, Volumes I, II, and III
“A History of American Manufactures” 1608 to 1860, Volumes I, II, and III