Boot Pattern

Charles W. Sapp

 1. Layout: pattern is traced on the wood and cut out with a band saw or equivalent.  

 2. Rough out:  

1.  Draw the pattern on the bottom of the boot taking into account if you are carving a left or right foot.  
2.  Draw an oval on the top of the shaft.  
3.  Shape the toe by removing the excess wood from sides of the pattern.  
4.  Shape the shaft above the heel.  
5.  Sketch a centerline on the sides, front, and back of the shaft and remove the corners.  
6.  Shape the heel by removing the excess wood from the sides of the pattern.  
7.  Round up the shaft and remove any remaining saw marks. Use the oval you sketched on the top as a guide.  
8.  Sketch a centerline on the toe area to use as a guide in rounding up the toe.  
9.  Put a mark about ¼ inch down from the top in the front and back to put a taper on the boot (if you want that shape) and remove the excess wood.  
10.  Remove some of the inside being careful not to split the sides. A power tool may be very helpful for this step.  

 3. Detail:  

1.  Sketch on the sole and heel. Make a stop cut straight in along the top of the sole and heel. Taper the boot into the sole and heel.  
2.  Sketch the boot pulls and side centerline; stop cut/v cut to add shadows.  
3.  Sketch pattern to define toe and upper shaft area; v cut to add shadows.  
4.  Add other patterns and stitching as desired.  
5.  Sketch and cut half sole on bottom and nails on the heel.  
6.  Add “worn out holes” in sole as desired.   

Reference links: 

http://www.thewoodcarverscabin.com/workshop/how-to-carve-a-cowboy-boot/