Looking for an unusual summer read? Check out, “The Art or Leather Inlay and Overlay,” a new release from custom western boot maker Lisa Sorrell.
According to Sorrell, the book was over two years in the making, the result of more than two decades of honing her craft.Although a pair of Sorrell’s custom boots are featured on the cover, Sorrell emphasized the book is about the unique craft of hand crafted underlays and overlays, an art form she said is slowly disappearing, and can be applied to shoes, apparel and accessories.
The book includes 470 color photos of the technique and retails for $34.99. In addition to crafting techniques, it covers the history of leather inlay and overlay, choosing the best leather, and how to pattern and create art. It also provides an illustrated step-by-step guide to three leather projects.
“Many people are interested in learning to make boots and shoes by hand,” said Sorrell, who envisions her book as a textbook on the subject. In addition to her own work, she sometimes offers boot making classes at leather shows were she exhibits her work.
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Sorrell’s handmade boots don’t come cheap, averaging between $5,000 and $10,000. However, she personally fits customers and works with them on designs.
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