Slippers, or the start of something new...

Today I attended a leather workshop in Goulburn, NSW and started learning to make shoes.

Table of tools used by our instructors. 

I have been reading all week about making historic turn shoes and hope to use a similar technique to make dance slippers, unless further research turns me in another direction.
I have learnt that different leathers are used for the uppers and soles, and that the leather I most prefer for uppers is called milled double shoulder. I found mine at Tandy leather and it feels so beautiful under the hand.
My goal is to learn to make a simple yet elegant handsewn dance slipper. I will document my progress here over the next few weeks.

The milling process, which produces the supple feel,
also produces a prominent grain that gives items a look of elegance. 

Materials in my box:

Sewing awl with straight and curved needles
Lasts
Waxed thread
Milled double shoulder leather
Pliers
Needles
Sharp blade for cutting leather
Overstitch wheel
Safety Beveler
Stitching Horse

References:

• Butt Stitching Instructions
• A Beginner's Addendum to Making Shoes 
• Shoemaking Blog - from a teacher
• Every Lady Her Own Shoemaker In 1855 an anonymous Lady published a small book of instructions for making shoes at home. Her patterns are for shoes, for ankle-high gaiters with fabric uppers, leather soles, leather heels and toe-caps, for Congress gaiters with an elastic gore instead of a laced opening, and also for a man's slippers. 
• The Art of Hand Sewing Leather 
• Leatherworking Handbook: A Practical Illustrated Sourcebook of Techniques and Projects 
• M. de Garsault's 1767 Art of the Shoemaker: An Annotated Translation (Costume Society of America Series)
• The Art of Boot and Shoemaking: A Practical Handbook Including Measurement, Last-Fitting, Cutting-Out, Closing, and Making
• Shoes and Pattens (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London)
• Oregon Regency Society Miss Charlotte's Shoe Tutorial
• Caroline's attempt to copy a pair of Empress Josephine's shoes
• 1860s shoes by A Graceful Lady

Jane Austen Festival Australia (JAFA): Announcement: this rare and complete Regency-era evening ensemble will be on display during the 2010 Jane Austen Festival of Australia

Jane Austen Festival Blog Announcement

It is a rarity to find a set of matching period accessories, but to have them accompanied by their original outfit, is an amazing find!

This ensemble reportedly comes from the estate of Ms. Eliza Fox of Osmaston Hall in Derbyshire, UK.

The canary yellow, trained ball dress, is fashioned from luminous and heavy silk, and decorated with metallic copper threads in a corded, braid-like trim. The high Empire-waist is decorated with a band of ruffled canary silk, and also a band of the chord trim. There is a shimmering medallion of jewels to the center of the neckline, which is accented by further ruffled silk.

The dainty, delicate sleeves and low neckline create the typical look of the Regency period.

The dress is fully lined in gauze and cotton and fastens with hook and eyes to the back, along with some muslin ties.

The quality construction, and hand sewing, is yet another wonder!

The ball shoes, are made from the same shade of canary silk as the dress and purse/reticule, and are decorated with the copper chord trim in a large gathered medallion. They are a lovely, classic pair Regency shoes, with a carved wooden "Louis"-style hard heel, ribbon ties, and kid leather lining.

The drawstring evening reticule is decorated with the braided trim, and fully lined in gauze. It too, is also fully hand sewn.

The complete set is a true treasure, has an astounding beauty and romance that should never be forgotten and always admired.