Hi folks.
We have a kickstarter running to make a video that teaches you to make your own leather boots (or any shoe, once you understand the process) that is cast from your foot!

http://kck.st/2yfHdqj

We did a livestream yesterday talking about the project.

https://www.facebook.com/VillageVideo/videos/1867710003257034/

I just heard about this project today and decided to back it. I've been interested in learning leatherworking for a while and this looks like a great opportunity to learn new skills, make something useful, and of course: acquire more tools!

Oooooh, this looks fascinating! My sister-in-law has been getting into making shoes for herself and her daughters, and she actually put some leather working tools on her gift list. I think she'd really like this! Does the Turnshoe video give the basics of making any shoe? I don't know if she'd like making that style and so want to make sure she'd be gaining the skills to make other similar shoes. Thank you so much!

I'll also try to get this in tomorrow's dailyish!

The boot is a lot more versatile. That style of construction allows you to make almost any modern looking shoe, but cast from and fit to your actual foot. There are a lot of variations you can make with the turnshoe design, but with the internal-stitchdown boot technique you can make dance shoes, dress shoes, tall boots, pretty much anything.
It also gives you a lot of fundamentals for working with leather. Over thanksgiving my mom started working on some turnshoes and I applied what I learned from making the turnshoe video to make a sheath for my hatchet and my outdoor knife. I hope that helps!

That does help! Right now she's making mocassin-type, minimalist shoes/slippers for her and her daughter, so I think the turnshoes might be right at her level? I only have money to get one of the videos, so I'm thinking the turnshoes would probably be the right choice for her, especially since it'll be here by Christmas!

Yeah. I think the turnshoe video will be perfect for her then!

I supported at the $19 level for the Turnshoe DVD!

And, I wanted to say, the little Stop-action video of making the turnshoe mesmerized my 4 year old and 1 year old for at least half an hour. Beautifully done!!!

So cool! That was a lot of fun to make, and its helpful to see what you're about to do before you do it.

Do you happen to know if curved awl needle will work, or does it need to be a curved awl blade? I want to buy the needles as part of her Christmas present. I'm also wondering if this needle kit will work https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Stitcher-leather-fabrics-additional/dp/B06XJ1ZN6V/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 (she had it on her Christmas list already) or if needs to be the hooked straight needle?

Thank you so much!

Nicole Alderman wrote:Do you happen to know if curved awl needle will work, or does it need to be a curved awl blade? I want to buy the needles as part of her Christmas present. I'm also wondering if this needle kit will work https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Stitcher-leather-fabrics-additional/dp/B06XJ1ZN6V/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 (she had it on her Christmas list already) or if needs to be the hooked straight needle?

Thank you so much!

Please, do yourself a favor and shop around for that sewing awl. It can be had for much less.

https://m.harborfreight.com/quick-stitch-sewing-awl-91812.html?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

That sounds amazing to be able to make my own shoes. We could make our own Earthing shoes too. I might order just dvds, and see how many materials are involved to see, if it is something I am ready to do now.

Here I go again.
I've backed the kickstarter with enough capital to get the boot-maker DVD and a few tools - well short of the deluxe package.

The first pair of shoes I make will be the most expensive footwear I ever will have owned. (But they'll be more MINE than anything else.)

It's fully funded! Woo-hoo!!!

If you end up missing the cut-off for the kickstarter, which ends in less than 2 hours, the Turnshoe DVD is available here: http://villagevideo.org/store/

or here (which also lists the classes offered in the Portland, Oregon area) http://laughingcrowe.com/