In this concluding part of our series on how to make leather boots, we finally get to pre-last the boot, install our stiffeners and then close up the entire thing. Enjoy.
Not necessarily. I have done it after the pre-lasting severally. Basically, if you are able to pull up the counter to place the stiffener, go ahead. Putting it in prior to the pre-lasting is just faster.
I have a quick question. If you were going to use a heavier counter material, say a 6-8 oz leather. Would you allow for that in your pattern. In other words would you make an allowance in your pattern to accomodate for the thickness of the counter material.
Yes. Typically you should. But the way I design and stitch that back seam gives so much room that I have never encountered any problem there no matter the type of counter stiffener deployed. This has been my experience.
It is a slower drying adhesive than the normal gum (OCI). So it give me enough time to make adjustments to my lasting and ensure that everything is in proper place. When it is try, it makes a very strong, flexible and water resistant bond. The bond is even stronger that that of OCI.
