Those shoes are gorgeous, and it's always so fascinating to see a start to finish process for things!! I can completely sympathize with the furry help--my cats love to chew on the ends of my knitting needles or sit on the fabric I'm sewing.
I am always in complete awe of your skills, in everything you do but especially the shoes, I have no idea how long it takes to get those skills but it looks like a 10,000 hour type deal x
Oh my goodness they are beautiful! And so perfectly fit Safiya's general style. I'm so looking forward to her Williamsburg video it's going to be amazing!
Saw the thumbnail and immediately knew that Safiya would just love those shoes! Despite being what was typically worn they fit her style so well! Plus your handy work is beautiful!
Anyone who has watched even 3 minutes of a Safiya video knows Safiya's favorite color and that she wants to be a bat. Or a solid black butterfly. Good choice on the fabric. Beautiful shoes, as always.
As a tall woman wearing size 11-12, I wish they still custom made shoes today. Then I wouldn't have to worry about not being able to find any that fit 😑. BTW as soon as you cut to footage of you making the shoes with a voiceover it was total ASMR, quite relaxing haha. That was so much work to make each shoe. I hope cobblers back then got paid well!
I feel your pain. Vionic has been a lifesaver for me, but I think American Duchess also goes up to 12? That might be a great way to get some gorgeous shoes. 😍
@@thebookwyrmslair6757 I know Vionic, a lot of the arch support brands are great! I haven't heard of American Ducheess, I wonder if I can get it in Australia.
I have small feet, but wide - but only at the top. My heel is quite narrow by comparison. And one foot is half a size bigger than the other. Trying to buy shoes is a painful experience, in more ways than one. The best fitting shoes I ever found were a pair of mens shoes, size five. Aside from how not common mens size 5 is anymore where I live, mens shoes doesn't exactly come in the sort of styles a young woman wants to be wearing when going out!
I'd like to hear more about the calimanco! A quick search suggests that it needs a long-staple fiber but didn't mention a specific sheep breed being used historically. Love the shoes!
From what I've heard (from historic weavers) is that our regular sheep breeds today are VERY soft compared to those back then and the process won't work on that texture. Eaton Hill Textiles makes some from heritage breeds, but it's a weight and design that suits furniture better than clothing.
@@NicoleRudolph I feel like really long staple length fiber is trending right now. Corriedale is growing in popularity with knitters because of how durable it is due to how long the staple length is. I know merino is a favorite for clothing and garments worn close to the skin but its so soft because it has a short staple. Blue-faced leister (BFL) and california variegated mutant (CVM) are gaining in popularity as well because they have longer staple lengths while retaining some softness. I think Corriedale, CVM, and BFL all fall in the 3-6in staple length whereas Merino is usually around 2in.
Best crossover ever. I'm living vicariously through Safiya. I live in a city similar to Williamsburg in the untouched architectural and craft part but not the live in museum aspect. I would love to dress up one day but my shoemaker is adamantly allergic to making women shoes (I prefer wearing the men's style) 😂
I volunteer at a historic site that focuses on the 1670s. One of the things we do is shoot cannons that are sitting on platforms on top of man-made hills and we have trouble getting up those hills because our reproduction shoes don't have much traction at all. Did they just have grippier leather back then or did everyone just wear slippery shoes?
if you were going to be doing a lot of hiking or otherwise walking on mud, you would have hobnail boots/shoes, which have nails in the sole for extra traction. the historical hiker has at least two videos on them if you want to take a look (and yes, they would be used in this period. they’ve been around since roman times, or possibly even earlier)
I live in Sweden and here archaeologists have found what we call "broddar" in viking settlements. The ones I've seen has been in a square U-shape and were fastened by leather strips in a similar fashion to early ice skates although, of course, with a very different intent.
I felt you in the last scenes with the dog. One day I'll accidentally knit or sew mine into a project. I long for such a laid of shoes, they're so pretty!
The wonderful thing, for me, about your heel-cover epiphany, is that other shoe makers in the 18th century will have come to the same conclusion, just as organically as a result of having done it over and again. A direct link from then to now, that is why I adore people who take the time to recreate the processes, use the same tools and techniques, the glow of discovery through the centuries!
Those shoes are beautiful, love the color combo. I wish that as a kid growing up in Hampton (with both field trips and annual passes to Colonial Williamsburg) I'd stopped to ask how folks got to end up working there; life took me in a very different direction, but it was always so cool to go there (and kind of wild to find people who did work there )
I just want to say thank you for your audio quality. I have a hard time hearing things fairly often, and in your videos I have never found you to be unclear. Your voice carries well, has a clear tone and sounds pleasant. It makes listening to these really nice, besides the really interesting content. Thank you!
I came over from saf's video because I didn't know you but I do know of Abby. I've never seen somebody hand make shoes and I found it very fascinating. I wish saf had included a little more about what you do in her video. New subscriber from me
She said on stream last week the Williamsburg should hopefully be this upcoming weekend. I assume Nicole knew and planned her release to coincide with Saf's-- long after filming in October!
Oh my gosh I wish my dog would ever be that calm while I'm working. I swear she has a boundless desire to stab her own eyeballs out (or eat my pin cushions.)
I'm so glad you did this collab these 2 years ago (damn it's already been 2 years???). I found your channel thru Safiya and still love watching your stuff
I can imagine you messaging your group chat about your new stitch! I got really excited hearing about it, so I can just imagine how excited the other costubers were!
Your video's are so well produced. They're are lovely to watch. The final product is beautiful! I am excited to see Safiya's video and I hope lots of new people will discover your channel too.
I want to take a shoemaking class *so badly*! These were gorgeous and I love historical/vintage shoes but have wide feet that are nearly impossible to find comfortable and fitting shoes for so I'm basically stuck with ballerina flats and sneakers. If I could learn to make them I would make a pair of lady oxfords similar to Bernadette's with ribbon laces *immediately*!
I have a pair of boots that use the wooden peg assembly process. They were made by a shop in Davos Switzerland when I was there for a conference back in the late 1980s. They are the only pair of custom made shoes I've ever owned and they are practically perfect. Getting them half-soled every seven or eight years is always fun because most of the cobblers still in business have no idea what wood peg assembly is. Getting the heel rebuilt is always a trick as well.
Watching you make shoes is so interesting. I used to be a flamenco dancer and I got my shoes handmade in Spain. I had my feet measured at a store in NYC, and then they sent my measurements to the shoe makers. I'm sure the process for making them is different, but flamenco shoes look kind of similar. They generally have almond toes and low heels, and they're super comfortable to wear. I always wondered if I could request a pair for street wear. The shoes for dancing have nails in the toe and heels so that we can make the different stomping sounds. I watched Safiya Nygaard's video, too, and that looked really fun. I wanted to dress up in 18th century clothes when I was 10, too. And after I saw Dangerous Liaisons. In a way, being a dancer, I got to dress in 19th century clothes because ballet (where I started) and flamenco still hold onto traditions from a long time ago. I've heard pointe shoes were modeled on the style of street shoes people wore. But even if some ballets haven't changed much since the 1830s, it's still just a modern approximation, not attempting to recreate the real experience.
Realizing after she explains the whole process and how much work goes into it that the next step would be to do the whole thing again for the second shoe 😮
They look so gorgeous, yet seem as comfy as a house slipper! It's amazing! Also I applaud you for finally making Safiya wear something different from her Birkenstocksd, well done XDDD
my Jewish ancestors were boot last makers. loved watching this! pointe shoe makers use a tool to winch the heel onto the last so someone must be producing those tools.
Nicole, these were absolutely amazing. I watch a lot of different DIY channels (not to say that your channel is) and watching you assemble these works of art is fascinating. I almost feel like your apprentice. Your assembly and extreme attention to form and detail reminds me of some of my bench jewelry days as an apprentice jeweler. You made me laugh when you mentioned your epiphany. It's so true. You can read hundreds of books and receive hands on instruction from those artisans in our fields but there is no no better teacher than doing it for yourself and by yourself. There is no better feeling than your customer or friend trying it on for the first time and telling you how phenomenal they look and feel. That you can NOT purchase. Thank you Nicole for the time and effort you put into all the work you do. God bless. Tim
Gosh, Nicolle, you must have incredibly strong hands and wrists. The art of the shoemaker and the cobbler seems to have disappeared, how I wish I could have a couple of pairs of handmade shoes, made just to fit me. My husband needs special shoes following a stroke. They are handmade and fitted to his foot, taking into consideration his right foot now. These are made by the National Health Service and, because I asked, cost a minimum of £500.00 per pair. We are so thankful that the NHS provides this service. These shoes, made by you, are beautiful. I'm sure they will last far longer than any modern, made machine manufactured shoes. Oh how I wish you ........!
With modern mens shoes a lot of the time I can get a worn out sole or heel block recrafted. How repairable were these shoes back in the 18th century? Would ladies shoes be replaced as they were worn out?
I've repaired mine quite a few times over the years. The heel cap is the most common- I usually add an extra one with wooden pegs that is easily replaced. The sole depends on the construction, but this type will have a clump sole added once it's worn down (the quick shot of the worn shoe soles shows that method). It doubles the life of the shoe, but it's pretty worn out by the end of that second sole in my opinion (scuffs, stains, tears, etc)
I love the shoes! A topic I am really am interested in is, how are the straight lasts made? How does the measuring and designing them actually work. Thats a mystery that I have yet to find anything on.
"They have more variety. They have multiple widths for example" It must be nice. My feet are Wides and there's no such thing as "cute/cool shoes" in my size. You learn to grab whatever you can find that fits in stores from whichever manufacturer decides to carry them, if any at all.
I have such a fond memory of going to colonial Williamsburg and learning hands on how to sew leather with one of the living history craftsmen. It has shaped my path with the hobby. I want to one day learn more historical crafts. This channel has also is huge inspiration for me as well.
I love love love fashion history and learning new things about it all. The process of making these shoes is endlessly fascinating to me as well as all the knowledge and skill that goes into it. They turned out so flipping gorgeous - love that green!
I love love love loved watching this! I learned so much about shoes and I feel so inspired to try and make my own. I have a kit for far more simple shoes, but I'm excited to give it a try.
Shoe horns work wonderfully for shoes that have stiff backs- you need a heel cup added. That doesn't seem to be typical for this style of shoe, however. Just heavier leather common shoes or mens shoes. Push vs pull essentially!
Fascinating! I hope Safiya loves her shoes, they're so pretty! I have plantar fasciitis from very tall arches, I have to wear inserts in all my shoes because shoes made with high arches just aren't high enough. I'm under the impression that in this time period arch support wasn't really a thing. Is that true?
The art is fantastic, but what amazes me is the necessity of absolute precision. I make a mistake on a garment, I can disguise it, at least to the casual viewer. A mistake on a shoe could cause injury (or being barefoot)! However besides the obvious high level of skills shown, the final seconds of this video revealed the true secret to making perfectly breathtaking shoes.
Watching you make shoes is almost as calming as watching Angela Clayton construct a dress. That’s a compliment. I love the colors & can’t wait to see how you guys take Safiya (sp) back in time!
I admire your craftsmanship! thank you for this video. ❤ Its so calming to watch you while explaining what you do. Although i can't wrap my head around how this inside out magic is working. 😀
Your shoemaking videos always convince me to start learning shoemaking until I remember that I live in a studio apartment with a cat that will be far too invested in the process lol
Oh Nicole, I loved this video from the first minute to the last. Your knowledge of everything you make is astounding. Although I’m getting on in years I really aspire to be like you, you really are a role model.
What an absolutely incredible gift you have made for her. And Bailey helped. :) Love watching your shoemaking videos. Some parts are just so satisfying but I think some would be maddening as well (including having a frustrating time on the first shoe and having to go back and then make a second one.)
The shoes are beautiful! It is amazing the different stitches, tools, fabrics, leathers, and thread used for making her shoes. You are very talented and do amazing work! Thank you for sharing your process and techniques...amazing!!
The whole time I watched, it felt like I'm watching some highly tense thriller movie. I don't recall when I've paid this much attention to anything. 😁 In my eyes, you're a magician! P.S. The last part, with your dog, melted my heart. I swear they are always like that:"I don't know if it bothers you, but I'll just put my head HERE, where it's the most comfortable(though it definitely isn't because their precious head is bouncing up and down...)and I have the total control of the situation!" Who wouldn't adore them?!
Regarding the Saint Jude's commercial: I want you to know that we are suffering, too. We need money, just like you. We experience pain every day, just like you cancer patients. We are sick, just like you. My children cried and suffered, just like you. Only we don't get to sleep over in the hospital. They evicted us, from the hospital, in the middle of the night, without a way to get home, after hospital staff assaulted us, ridiculed us and denied us medical care, even though this is against the law. They want me dead. I testified against them in court.
Nicole, I enjoyed this video tremendously. You make shoemaking look... so accessible, so doable. I do have a question regarding late 18th century shoes. Do we know exactly when, how and why people changed the realtively high heeled rococo shoes to flat ankle boots and flat ballerina type of dance shoes of the late georgian/regency era? It is like two totally different styles, and it seems like the preference / technique, etc changed overnight, but as we know in (fashion) history things rarely do that. When exactly those flat shoes (especially the boots) appeared? were there any transitional footwear in between? Thank you.
I love when a new to me TH-camr has a connection to a TH-camr I'm already a fan of. My daughter and I adore Safiya and weve watched this very vid of hers when it came out! ❤❤❤ TH-cam is so fun!
Love these shoes! They might be a simple design, but they look quite dapper with the green heel and trim, and the lovely buckle. Your shoe-making videos are my favorite!
There is a metalsmith in my area that can probably manufacture some of those tiny awls for you. It's called Canaltown Metalsmiths in Fairport, New York. He does a lot of repairs of original metalwork as well.
I am so jealous!! I need a new pair of shoes for my 1740’s costume for my reenactment group and would kill for a pair of these. So beautiful! You really are an artist
I love watching peoples' creative processes and this is no different. Watching the process of you making shoes amazes me every time. These pair are gorgeous 🤩
Your little doggy is such a good help. He probably has a few projects of his own. Such as dog attire of past centuries. People with money always had dogies and probably spent some good money on the outfits for those pets.
I love Safiya's happy little feet bouncing at the end there. It's the same gesture my kiddo made when I got her light-up sneakers.
Those shoes are gorgeous, and it's always so fascinating to see a start to finish process for things!! I can completely sympathize with the furry help--my cats love to chew on the ends of my knitting needles or sit on the fabric I'm sewing.
My cat did that as well. My dog is the same. He'll end up as part of a project by accident one day
I am always in complete awe of your skills, in everything you do but especially the shoes, I have no idea how long it takes to get those skills but it looks like a 10,000 hour type deal x
The first pair I made took about a year of spread out work- probably a couple hundred hours. So 10,000 doesn't seem far off after a few dozen pairs!
I loved the little glimpses of green as Saf was walking, so special! I imagine a young woman would've been very happy to get a pair like this
Oh my goodness they are beautiful! And so perfectly fit Safiya's general style. I'm so looking forward to her Williamsburg video it's going to be amazing!
Saw the thumbnail and immediately knew that Safiya would just love those shoes! Despite being what was typically worn they fit her style so well! Plus your handy work is beautiful!
Anyone who has watched even 3 minutes of a Safiya video knows Safiya's favorite color and that she wants to be a bat. Or a solid black butterfly. Good choice on the fabric. Beautiful shoes, as always.
Beautiful shoes. The skill and technique that goes into making them is amazing. I am so glad the knowledge hasn't been lost to time.
As a tall woman wearing size 11-12, I wish they still custom made shoes today. Then I wouldn't have to worry about not being able to find any that fit 😑. BTW as soon as you cut to footage of you making the shoes with a voiceover it was total ASMR, quite relaxing haha. That was so much work to make each shoe. I hope cobblers back then got paid well!
I feel your pain. Vionic has been a lifesaver for me, but I think American Duchess also goes up to 12? That might be a great way to get some gorgeous shoes. 😍
@@thebookwyrmslair6757 I know Vionic, a lot of the arch support brands are great! I haven't heard of American Ducheess, I wonder if I can get it in Australia.
FYI My Aussie size 11s fit American Duchess’ 12s well. They do ship to Australia.
I have small feet, but wide - but only at the top. My heel is quite narrow by comparison. And one foot is half a size bigger than the other.
Trying to buy shoes is a painful experience, in more ways than one. The best fitting shoes I ever found were a pair of mens shoes, size five. Aside from how not common mens size 5 is anymore where I live, mens shoes doesn't exactly come in the sort of styles a young woman wants to be wearing when going out!
The reproduction brand memery goes up to size 12 too
I see what you were talking about on stream about having to work around your dog. Adds a little extra oomph to how impressive this was!
I'm really looking forward to seeing the whole 18th century makeover
I'd like to hear more about the calimanco! A quick search suggests that it needs a long-staple fiber but didn't mention a specific sheep breed being used historically. Love the shoes!
From what I've heard (from historic weavers) is that our regular sheep breeds today are VERY soft compared to those back then and the process won't work on that texture. Eaton Hill Textiles makes some from heritage breeds, but it's a weight and design that suits furniture better than clothing.
@@NicoleRudolph Hey, thanks for that!
@@NicoleRudolph I feel like really long staple length fiber is trending right now. Corriedale is growing in popularity with knitters because of how durable it is due to how long the staple length is. I know merino is a favorite for clothing and garments worn close to the skin but its so soft because it has a short staple. Blue-faced leister (BFL) and california variegated mutant (CVM) are gaining in popularity as well because they have longer staple lengths while retaining some softness. I think Corriedale, CVM, and BFL all fall in the 3-6in staple length whereas Merino is usually around 2in.
Best crossover ever. I'm living vicariously through Safiya.
I live in a city similar to Williamsburg in the untouched architectural and craft part but not the live in museum aspect. I would love to dress up one day but my shoemaker is adamantly allergic to making women shoes (I prefer wearing the men's style) 😂
I volunteer at a historic site that focuses on the 1670s. One of the things we do is shoot cannons that are sitting on platforms on top of man-made hills and we have trouble getting up those hills because our reproduction shoes don't have much traction at all. Did they just have grippier leather back then or did everyone just wear slippery shoes?
if you were going to be doing a lot of hiking or otherwise walking on mud, you would have hobnail boots/shoes, which have nails in the sole for extra traction. the historical hiker has at least two videos on them if you want to take a look (and yes, they would be used in this period. they’ve been around since roman times, or possibly even earlier)
You could use a steel brush on the leather soles to give them a little more grip.
Thanks for the suggestions!
I live in Sweden and here archaeologists have found what we call "broddar" in viking settlements. The ones I've seen has been in a square U-shape and were fastened by leather strips in a similar fashion to early ice skates although, of course, with a very different intent.
@@onewomanarmy6451 that's really cool!
Those shoes look fantastic! I'm getting hyped for the big video about this adventure, which I assume will be over on Saf's channel. Great job!
I felt you in the last scenes with the dog. One day I'll accidentally knit or sew mine into a project.
I long for such a laid of shoes, they're so pretty!
The wonderful thing, for me, about your heel-cover epiphany, is that other shoe makers in the 18th century will have come to the same conclusion, just as organically as a result of having done it over and again. A direct link from then to now, that is why I adore people who take the time to recreate the processes, use the same tools and techniques, the glow of discovery through the centuries!
Those shoes are beautiful, love the color combo.
I wish that as a kid growing up in Hampton (with both field trips and annual passes to Colonial Williamsburg) I'd stopped to ask how folks got to end up working there; life took me in a very different direction, but it was always so cool to go there (and kind of wild to find people who did work there )
Martha Washington's wedding shoes - I'm sure you know that they were a vivid purple, why haven't any of you glorious shoeTubers made them?!?
I love your shoe making content. It’s so educational and gives me a greater appreciation for what goes on my feet
I just want to say thank you for your audio quality. I have a hard time hearing things fairly often, and in your videos I have never found you to be unclear. Your voice carries well, has a clear tone and sounds pleasant. It makes listening to these really nice, besides the really interesting content. Thank you!
I love Safiya! I've been waiting for this! I knew there would be more after the sneak peek with the stays/corsets.
I came over from saf's video because I didn't know you but I do know of Abby. I've never seen somebody hand make shoes and I found it very fascinating. I wish saf had included a little more about what you do in her video. New subscriber from me
I can't wait to see if/when Saf releases a video about all of these experiences you were able to share with her! The shoes came out brilliantly!
She said on stream last week the Williamsburg should hopefully be this upcoming weekend. I assume Nicole knew and planned her release to coincide with Saf's-- long after filming in October!
@@rebeccat.6134 should be up today (4/24)!
The crossover I didn’t know I needed!
I’m curious- what are the differences between 17th & 18th c shoes, Nicole?
I always love watching you make shoes, it's very relaxing for some reason.
This was super interesting. I started watching because I love shoes, then realized you were making them for one of my fave TH-camrs. Winning!
I saw the episode yesterday of Safiya wearing the shoes and dressing like Colonia women. It was very good.
Thank you for sharing how the shoes were created. Beautiful shoes.
Honestly, watching the shoe come together feels like ASMR to me.
Oh my gosh I wish my dog would ever be that calm while I'm working. I swear she has a boundless desire to stab her own eyeballs out (or eat my pin cushions.)
I'm so glad you did this collab these 2 years ago (damn it's already been 2 years???). I found your channel thru Safiya and still love watching your stuff
I can imagine you messaging your group chat about your new stitch! I got really excited hearing about it, so I can just imagine how excited the other costubers were!
Beautiful job. Your craftsmanship is so inspiring! I bet Sofiya was just as in love with the shoes as I am!
Your video's are so well produced. They're are lovely to watch. The final product is beautiful! I am excited to see Safiya's video and I hope lots of new people will discover your channel too.
I want to take a shoemaking class *so badly*! These were gorgeous and I love historical/vintage shoes but have wide feet that are nearly impossible to find comfortable and fitting shoes for so I'm basically stuck with ballerina flats and sneakers. If I could learn to make them I would make a pair of lady oxfords similar to Bernadette's with ribbon laces *immediately*!
Have you checked MasterClass & Skillshare? That'll get you started. Then you can find a cobbler who'll maybe teach you as your shoes are made.
Freely admit that I'm jealous of Safiya
The shoes are stunning 😍 and she got the pro tour of Williamsburg too.
I have a pair of boots that use the wooden peg assembly process. They were made by a shop in Davos Switzerland when I was there for a conference back in the late 1980s. They are the only pair of custom made shoes I've ever owned and they are practically perfect. Getting them half-soled every seven or eight years is always fun because most of the cobblers still in business have no idea what wood peg assembly is. Getting the heel rebuilt is always a trick as well.
I'm so very fascinated by the old shoemaking process so I got very excited to watch this~~
Watching you make shoes is so interesting. I used to be a flamenco dancer and I got my shoes handmade in Spain. I had my feet measured at a store in NYC, and then they sent my measurements to the shoe makers. I'm sure the process for making them is different, but flamenco shoes look kind of similar. They generally have almond toes and low heels, and they're super comfortable to wear. I always wondered if I could request a pair for street wear. The shoes for dancing have nails in the toe and heels so that we can make the different stomping sounds.
I watched Safiya Nygaard's video, too, and that looked really fun. I wanted to dress up in 18th century clothes when I was 10, too. And after I saw Dangerous Liaisons. In a way, being a dancer, I got to dress in 19th century clothes because ballet (where I started) and flamenco still hold onto traditions from a long time ago. I've heard pointe shoes were modeled on the style of street shoes people wore. But even if some ballets haven't changed much since the 1830s, it's still just a modern approximation, not attempting to recreate the real experience.
Goodie! I love watching you make shoes, Saf is pretty cool too!
Realizing after she explains the whole process and how much work goes into it that the next step would be to do the whole thing again for the second shoe 😮
I work at a furniture company that makes reproductions for Colonial Williamsburg. Love this video!
This was insanely interesting to watch! What a stunning craft!
They look so gorgeous, yet seem as comfy as a house slipper! It's amazing! Also I applaud you for finally making Safiya wear something different from her Birkenstocksd, well done XDDD
my Jewish ancestors were boot last makers. loved watching this!
pointe shoe makers use a tool to winch the heel onto the last so someone must be producing those tools.
Nicole, these were absolutely amazing. I watch a lot of different DIY channels (not to say that your channel is) and watching you assemble these works of art is fascinating. I almost feel like your apprentice. Your assembly and extreme attention to form and detail reminds me of some of my bench jewelry days as an apprentice jeweler. You made me laugh when you mentioned your epiphany. It's so true. You can read hundreds of books and receive hands on instruction from those artisans in our fields but there is no no better teacher than doing it for yourself and by yourself. There is no better feeling than your customer or friend trying it on for the first time and telling you how phenomenal they look and feel. That you can NOT purchase. Thank you Nicole for the time and effort you put into all the work you do. God bless.
Tim
Gosh, Nicolle, you must have incredibly strong hands and wrists.
The art of the shoemaker and the cobbler seems to have disappeared, how I wish I could have a couple of pairs of handmade shoes, made just to fit me.
My husband needs special shoes following a stroke. They are handmade and fitted to his foot, taking into consideration his right foot now. These are made by the National Health Service and, because I asked, cost a minimum of £500.00 per pair. We are so thankful that the NHS provides this service.
These shoes, made by you, are beautiful. I'm sure they will last far longer than any modern, made machine manufactured shoes. Oh how I wish you ........!
With modern mens shoes a lot of the time I can get a worn out sole or heel block recrafted. How repairable were these shoes back in the 18th century? Would ladies shoes be replaced as they were worn out?
I've repaired mine quite a few times over the years. The heel cap is the most common- I usually add an extra one with wooden pegs that is easily replaced. The sole depends on the construction, but this type will have a clump sole added once it's worn down (the quick shot of the worn shoe soles shows that method). It doubles the life of the shoe, but it's pretty worn out by the end of that second sole in my opinion (scuffs, stains, tears, etc)
I love the shoes! A topic I am really am interested in is, how are the straight lasts made? How does the measuring and designing them actually work. Thats a mystery that I have yet to find anything on.
Ooo those shoes are GORGEOUS!! 💚
Awww sleepy Bailey!
"They have more variety. They have multiple widths for example"
It must be nice. My feet are Wides and there's no such thing as "cute/cool shoes" in my size. You learn to grab whatever you can find that fits in stores from whichever manufacturer decides to carry them, if any at all.
I get your dilemna , my feet are a design fault, wide, short baby toes, wierd back of heel .
Puppy said "very nice but why isnt about me" 😂😂
The shoes are beautiful! They turned out so nicely. I’m not at all surprised with the joy she was showing!!
Safiya living her best Colonial Williamsburg life! Good to see old skills surviving.
I have such a fond memory of going to colonial Williamsburg and learning hands on how to sew leather with one of the living history craftsmen. It has shaped my path with the hobby. I want to one day learn more historical crafts. This channel has also is huge inspiration for me as well.
Watching the Costubers and Safiya combine their powers is probably what's keeping me afloat this winter/spring.
As a lifetime seamstress, I bow down. The work that went into those shoes is way beyond my patience. Really beautiful.
Saf must've had so much fun learning to walk in these :)) Gorgeous work, as always!
The shoes came out Gorgeous! I love the green trim -- elegant without being too flashy.
I love love love fashion history and learning new things about it all. The process of making these shoes is endlessly fascinating to me as well as all the knowledge and skill that goes into it. They turned out so flipping gorgeous - love that green!
always love watching you make footwear! i learn a lot and also learn that i do not have the patience :D
I can’t imagine the hours of work that went into making these. You are so skilful and I am in awe!
I love the gentle rusle , snip, and tack tack ASMR sounds that you hearer as you are working on making the shoes.. 😍🥰
I love love love loved watching this! I learned so much about shoes and I feel so inspired to try and make my own. I have a kit for far more simple shoes, but I'm excited to give it a try.
Wow! This is fascinating! And the finished shoes are magnificent
This might be a stupid question but wouldn't a shoe horn work easier for putting it back on the last?
Shoe horns work wonderfully for shoes that have stiff backs- you need a heel cup added. That doesn't seem to be typical for this style of shoe, however. Just heavier leather common shoes or mens shoes. Push vs pull essentially!
Where was this video when I was making my colonial shoes for my Williamsburg trip this weekend! Your videos are always my favorite!
Fascinating! I hope Safiya loves her shoes, they're so pretty!
I have plantar fasciitis from very tall arches, I have to wear inserts in all my shoes because shoes made with high arches just aren't high enough. I'm under the impression that in this time period arch support wasn't really a thing. Is that true?
The art is fantastic, but what amazes me is the necessity of absolute precision. I make a mistake on a garment, I can disguise it, at least to the casual viewer. A mistake on a shoe could cause injury (or being barefoot)! However besides the obvious high level of skills shown, the final seconds of this video revealed the true secret to making perfectly breathtaking shoes.
Watching you make shoes is almost as calming as watching Angela Clayton construct a dress. That’s a compliment.
I love the colors & can’t wait to see how you guys take Safiya (sp) back in time!
I admire your craftsmanship! thank you for this video. ❤ Its so calming to watch you while explaining what you do. Although i can't wrap my head around how this inside out magic is working. 😀
I'm so happy you 3 got to collaborate like this!! You all are such fantastic TH-camrs & all have such fun personalities.
I was a shoemaker years ago. Loved watching your techniques. Very impressed you actually have well groomed nails.
Lovely shoes.
Your shoemaking videos always convince me to start learning shoemaking until I remember that I live in a studio apartment with a cat that will be far too invested in the process lol
this is shoemaking porn and I'm here for it (all those loving shots of rubbing the leather, the finishing process with the sanding- all awesome)
Oh Nicole, I loved this video from the first minute to the last. Your knowledge of everything you make is astounding.
Although I’m getting on in years I really aspire to be like you, you really are a role model.
What an absolutely incredible gift you have made for her. And Bailey helped. :) Love watching your shoemaking videos. Some parts are just so satisfying but I think some would be maddening as well (including having a frustrating time on the first shoe and having to go back and then make a second one.)
Your voice over was particularly soothing and asmr-ish this video. Very relaxing.
The shoes are beautiful! It is amazing the different stitches, tools, fabrics, leathers, and thread used for making her shoes. You are very talented and do amazing work! Thank you for sharing your process and techniques...amazing!!
OH my goodness! these are just beautiful!! You're so talented.
You did such an amazing job! I am convinced that Safiya can be friends with most of anyone. Main character vibes
These are gorgeous. Amazing work. It would be so fun to try those shoes. Safiya is so lucky!
I feel like I'm watching a pair of point shoes being made, lol
Quality content ! Very clear explanations, and the result is beautiful.
I'm at the heel cap and you are tapping in the wooden peg and I am just WOW~ another Nicole winner! THE COLORS! THE COLORS!
Beautiful!
Love the green against the black!
Very smart looking!
I always love the shoe videos. Much of it still goes by too quickly but some of it is starting to sink in. Love it!!
DOGS..!! they just HAVE to be in on the action...I know how it is...mine insists on being in my lap as I crochet...
The whole time I watched, it felt like I'm watching some highly tense thriller movie. I don't recall when I've paid this much attention to anything. 😁
In my eyes, you're a magician!
P.S. The last part, with your dog, melted my heart. I swear they are always like that:"I don't know if it bothers you, but I'll just put my head HERE, where it's the most comfortable(though it definitely isn't because their precious head is bouncing up and down...)and I have the total control of the situation!"
Who wouldn't adore them?!
I think you should clarify when saying "universal" you really mean western, that's a pretty big distinction imo.
Regarding the Saint Jude's commercial: I want you to know that we are suffering, too. We need money, just like you. We experience pain every day, just like you cancer patients. We are sick, just like you. My children cried and suffered, just like you. Only we don't get to sleep over in the hospital. They evicted us, from the hospital, in the middle of the night, without a way to get home, after hospital staff assaulted us, ridiculed us and denied us medical care, even though this is against the law. They want me dead. I testified against them in court.
Nicole, I enjoyed this video tremendously. You make shoemaking look... so accessible, so doable. I do have a question regarding late 18th century shoes. Do we know exactly when, how and why people changed the realtively high heeled rococo shoes to flat ankle boots and flat ballerina type of dance shoes of the late georgian/regency era?
It is like two totally different styles, and it seems like the preference / technique, etc changed overnight, but as we know in (fashion) history things rarely do that. When exactly those flat shoes (especially the boots) appeared? were there any transitional footwear in between?
Thank you.
I love when a new to me TH-camr has a connection to a TH-camr I'm already a fan of. My daughter and I adore Safiya and weve watched this very vid of hers when it came out! ❤❤❤ TH-cam is so fun!
Love these shoes! They might be a simple design, but they look quite dapper with the green heel and trim, and the lovely buckle. Your shoe-making videos are my favorite!
There is a metalsmith in my area that can probably manufacture some of those tiny awls for you. It's called Canaltown Metalsmiths in Fairport, New York. He does a lot of repairs of original metalwork as well.
I am so jealous!! I need a new pair of shoes for my 1740’s costume for my reenactment group and would kill for a pair of these. So beautiful! You really are an artist
Hey Nichole, that tin awl looks really like an orthopaedic surgical awl. It may be you could get replacement awls from a surgical supplier.
I love watching peoples' creative processes and this is no different. Watching the process of you making shoes amazes me every time. These pair are gorgeous 🤩
Your little doggy is such a good help. He probably has a few projects of his own. Such as dog attire of past centuries. People with money always had dogies and probably spent some good money on the outfits for those pets.