Melinda Whisler & Louis Whisler

We first design a the shoes, sandals or boots and then decide what last (form or mold) that we want to make the shoe on. The toe shape & style of heel & its height is determined, type of leathers (kid skins, kidskin suede, lambskin, calf, ring lizards, pythons, ostrich knee, stingray, horse) to use that would look the best in the style of the shoe, and of course, color, color, color (70 in the kidskins alone). After the last has been chosen, a paper pattern is made of butcher paper and the pattern is laid out on the leather and cut with scissors, then skived with a razor blade, reinforcement tape, glued, and edges folded. The pieces are put together and sewn, then the upper is lined and top stitched. While this process is being done, Louis is preparing the last & mid-sole is cut out & toe boxing & counters are made. When the upper is finished, Louis pulls the upper unto the last and tacks into place and lets it set on the last for a day. He then relast it to get all the wrinkles pulled out and it sets for another day. After this is done, the sole is drawn from the shoe and the heel is wrapped ready to be put on the shoe, while Louis puts the shank on the shoe to give support for the heel. Now the heel is on and is ready for the sole to be put on, which has been glued and the bottom of shoe is also glued and both are tacking up before contact with each other. After the attachment of soles, then they are pressed for a few minutes. The shoes goes back to Melinda for cleanup of any excess glue. Cushion and socks are put in and ready for the customer.