Arizona Republic reporter, Yvonne Wingett, explores the history and future of family bootmaking traditions on both sides of the Mexico/US border. This article profiles David Espinoza’s shop in Phoenix, Arizona.*
If you would like to order a pair of custom cowboy boots from Mr. Espinoza… he can be reached at (602) 263-8164.
* There is a short e-mail registration required to view this article.
(Photo credit: Carlos Chavez / The Arizona Republic)
Every year I look forward to Jim Arndt’s Cowboy Boot Calendar. My copy goes up on a nail next to the kitchen sink. It’s a New Year’s tradition.
The calendar’s big pages (12″ x 12″) lets you see count-the-stitches-details on every pair …this year there are seven new pairs, six vintage ones.
I’m impressed by a pair of vintage Noconas (See “November.”) Even though I’m not crazy about the white collar, I like the large strong inlay pattern—I especially like the three rows of stitching that surrounds each shape. (Click here for another view.) Two rows of yellow stitches, outlined again by a row of white.
The boot design is sturdy, straight forward and well-balanced. The stitching keeps the pattern from looking sparse. It softens the edges without making the boot look wimpy. It’s great.
I think inlay loses some of its punch …as soon as you need your reading glasses.
NOTE (7 Jan 2006): Guess has remade this cowboy boot… with a few different colors to choose from.
Everyone,
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah …and a joyous New Year!
(Cowboy Skates by Jim Babchak, circa 1998.)
When I first saw this little boot made by custom bootmaker Carl Chappell, I was impressed.
Then, I learned little more …and I was absolutely amazed.
This tiny boot is accurate half scale size of a size 5.5 boot. It’s smaller than the trophy belt buckle it won in this year’s boot contest!
Not carved out of clay or cast in ceramic, this “replica” is made out of leather just like a “real” boot.
The cowboy boot took Mr. Chappell more than 60 hours of work. About the same time a full-size custom pair, but that doesn’t account for the additional 20-30 hours he spent making the specially-sized tools he needed.
He crafted a tiny crimping board, hot iron …as well as an inseaming and lasting jack.
The five rows of red and white stitching were sewn one-by-one, side-by-side, using a Singer 31-17 (manual .pdf) with a size 10 needle.
In order to get the look and feel of a quality custom cowboy boot, the kangaroo hide used for the boot top had to be reduced to half its normal thickness. The foot of the boot (vamp & counter) was made from the hide of a very young alligator, near animal’s armpit, in order that the hide’s “tiles” would be the right size.
(Click here for a slightly larger view of this miniature boot.)
What was the hardest part?
According to Chappell, it was stitching the sole. He filed the needle down on his 31-15 to create a special “hidden” sole stitch…one visible along the top of the welt, but not seen when looking at the bottom of the boot’s inked and buffed sole.
Oh, yeah…those tiny toe boxes weren’t easy either.
(Click here for more information about “How a Cowboy Boot is Made“)
Contact:
C.T. Chappell Boot Shop
Carl Chappell, Bootmaker
105 S. Main
Saint Jo, TX 76265
(940) 995-2901
Note: Mr. Chappell teaches bootmaking classes four times a year.
Photo of Carl Chappell taken by Randy Cooley, Oct 2005. (Thanks Randy!)
Why spend your Saturday nights home bidding on eBay?
…When you could out be out with your friends …wearing a brand new pair of cowboy boots, and stirrin’ up a little trouble?!
Good news. Now you can buy boots just like those worn by celebrity stylemaker Jessica Simpson without all the hassle.
This month, Jessica has debuted her own line of fashion footwear. Her “Daisy” boot is a western inspired leather cowboy boot with a round toe and 3″ stacked heel.
Styled after that hard-to-miss pair she wore in her These Boots Were Made For Walking video…this boot now comes in four colors: black, red, turquoise, and light brown…and even comes in another slightly slouchier version.
Find your size and favorite color…then buy ’em online, ‘cuz these boots are going to fly off store shelves!
