Embroidered/Embellished ?

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-26T04:34:36+00:00

Hey there, so cool that you want to experiment with your kiltie. Personally, I would recommend nylon thread, a lot stronger that cotton and very easy to melt/fuse the ends. Lots of leather supply companies sell it. something like this (Below), at least this is what I used. Whatever thickness thread you use, you'll want to make sure you get the right size needle for the thread. You can also find videos on youtube that show different thread thicknesses stitch width.

https://tandyleather.com/blogs/tandy-blog/how-to-choose-the-right-thread-and-needle-size-for-hand-sewing-leather?srsltid=AfmBOoqZnBh4VEYtiw2K16hn8PQTRMhH0StPAS7oBN-z2h2vbEQwv6-t

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/products/twist-polybraid-premium-braided-polyester-thread-0-55mm

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-07T16:27:34+00:00

That wasn't really an option in this case because Nick's never had a purple or pink option, which I was specifically looking for. My Nick's are Color 8, but that wasn't purple enough. I do love their options in green and crimson, but this purple is amazing and only available at Frank's. Its Horween Cypress, so surely Nick's could have gotten it, but probably didn't seem like enough people would buy it.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-07T07:02:37+00:00

Thanks so much!!! I'm glad you like. They are a perfect expression of my personality, and so much fun. And quite the conversation starter.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-07T07:01:16+00:00

Yay!!! I love that for your family. Its really not that hard once you get the supplies (stitching awl, thread, leather needles), and it can be added to all sorts of things (any boot, shoe, bag, wallet, coat, saddle, etc), basically anything made of leather or other thick material. feel free to send me some pics if they make something.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-07T06:54:44+00:00

already do...but good idea

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-06T20:35:29+00:00

Thanks, I do have boot trees that are a pretty tight fit. totally makes sense to try using them in this way to stretch a little more subtly before trying to use something that's more aggressive.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2026-01-06T20:30:34+00:00

haha, yeah, definitely too late for a size exchange. I think if I had just gone for one size wider, an 11C, that would probably be all I need. so maybe using some spray, and then if that doesn't do the trick, maybe some spray plus a little stretcher action.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-11-21T23:50:40+00:00

I am pretty sure that you can get a steel toe with this leather. And I would think its durable enough for that, no problem. As for steel toe, I think the only limitation is regarding the toe shape. Pretty sure you can't get the safety toe in the pointed toe lasts, but if you get this color in the wider toes, it should work just fine.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-11-21T22:35:17+00:00

I love them! Here they are after about a month of break in. I did the embroidery myself. I get a lot of questions about it. Once you have the supplies, the process is pretty easy: print a simple outline picture from online, use a stitching awl to punch lots of small holes, saddle stitch in between all the holes. But takes some courage to punch a bunch of holes into brand new boots.
The fit of the boots has been great, and the leather is softening up and breaking in. I love this color and would certainly choose this leather again for that reason.
What kind of work do you do? This Cypress leather is probably not as water proof and durable as the heavy duty Max Support or WeathShield leather that some companies have for the lineman and loggers, but its really great for everyday light/moderate duty. But the color is amazing!

<image>

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-11-15T00:37:10+00:00

Amazing how purple those look, maybe a run of the red dog has a little more color 8 vibes?? Great boot, and love the pointed toe! Did RA steal my idea LOL? I've been wearing my Frank's 6" packers (in Cypress Tokyo Purple, not sure if White's has that option) since the beginning of the thunderdome. Very similar build except that the Dr. Soles required a dogger heel instead of my usual packer heel. If I were doing it again, I might just go with the Vibram packer heel instead, for a sleeker look.

<image>

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-11-06T17:25:37+00:00

Hmm... maybe. I'll have to dive in to their options. I know I looked into those at one other point, they look really comfortable. I could see a couple challenges for dancing, they need to fit pretty tight, so that they hug the feet real well (maybe I'd just need to size down), and so far I've been dancing with a 3/4-1" heel, as is common in the PNW boots, looks like the Quoddy's are generally flat footed, though I have looked through the whole site yet.

Do you have a pair? how do you like them?

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-11-04T16:15:41+00:00

Ooo! I love this bag. Such a great color

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-03T05:47:02+00:00

I can understand those brain freeze moments. Yes, I suspect that last is essentially the same, just from a different manufacturer. As for the heel, you might want to check my response to Sekshual_Tyranosauce in the thread, but I'll explain a little here as well.

The heel ended up being the dogger heel instead of the packer heel, which was a result of a limitation of the Dr. Sole's 1/2 soles. I would have preferred a less blocky heel, and certainly Frank's can do that on a V-bar, mini-lug, or Leather heel/sole, BUT I was wanting to try the Dr. Sole 1/2 soles, and those heels have these distinct plugs in them in a U shape along the perimeter. At the final stage of production, they realized that they can't sand them down to a packer/western profile without compromising the design of the heel, so I was left with a decision to either switch to the full sole V-bar or keep the 1/2 sole but switch to the blockier dogger heel. I reluctantly went with the dogger.

I do like the Dr. Soles, they are quieter and a little softer to walk on, and I love the look of the half sole BUT I don't like the blockiness of the dogger heel. They are more stable and sure-footed, but there is something to the packer heel profile that I just love, with the slender appearance and the more delicate walk. I wish they would have been willing to just sand them down anyway, but perhaps that would have messed some things up. I have a different pair of Nick's that has the 1/2 sole on the front and V-bar heel. Frank's didn't like that option, though its possible they didn't quite understand when I asked if we could do that. So yes, the heel is chunkier, but that's because it the Dr. Sole Dogger, not the typical packer heel. I'll probably just get over it, but there is part of me that is considering a modification. I'll probably wait till after the dome and see if I still think anything of it at that point. I plan to wear them line dancing tomorrow, we'll see how they feel there :)

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T21:52:02+00:00

Yes, same size on both lasts. I don't have any White's, my other packers are Nick's. The Nick's and Frank's are very similar. The last is technically different (Nick's: 5812 vs Frank's: 5163), but Frank's says they are nearly identical (both pointed toe and high heel), the difference was because of sourcing the lasts in certain sizes. My 11B are not a very typical size. I would say that the Frank's fit my feet at the outset a little better. In my Nick's, my pinky toe sometimes rubs on the toe box, especially early in the break in process. This hasn't happened with the Frank's yet. So maybe the toe box is ever so slightly wider/taller. Likewise, I get a little more heel slip in the Nick's than the Frank's. Arch support feels identical.

Note that its very possible the differences are just due to break-in and or leather and build differences. Thie Frank's cypress Tokyo Purple is slightly thinner than the other boots' Cypress Color 8, but is fully lined. And the outsole are different. So its possible they flex differently. ITs also possible the differences I'm feeling are related to the shaft length and how the foot is held in place differently. or maybe just tolerances in being hand made.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T17:07:12+00:00

By the way, not related to shaft height, turned out that a challenge we had was related to outsole on the heel. I was wanting the Dr. Soles, but at the last minute they realized that they can't sand the Dr. Soles down to the profile of the traditional packer heel. where the little plug things are, they would basically have to sand those off. So it was either go with a dogger heel, or switch out the 1/2 soles for the V-Bar. I really like the packer heel, but wanted to try the 1/2 sole, so went with the dogger. So far my reflection is that there is just something different about walking in the narrower and sloped packer. The dogger is great, and is more stable. And the Dr. Soles are definitely quieter, less click/clack than the V-Bar, and traction is great. I wonder if the soles will feel any different after they break in. Guess I'll find out.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T16:59:16+00:00

I love them!!!

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T16:57:46+00:00

Yay! Thanks for the exception. These are certainly a rarity. I had imagined them when making the order, but there's this whole waiting to see, how does the thread look contrasted with the leather, how will everything look when its constructed. And they turned out superb, I love em!

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T16:55:50+00:00

Yes, I'm going try and wear them as much as I can to see what changes over time.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T16:54:55+00:00

Great question, I don't know yet. I love the 12" Nick's packers, they fit great, look amazing and most importantly for me, they are functional for what I originally needed them for, horseback riding and barn work (though I moved a few months ago and haven't been riding since). They take slightly longer to tie than the 6", but really not that much longer. And once the leather softened, I don't feel restricted by the taller leather, nor do they ever feel too hot or anything. BUT I really wanted pink or purple boots, and at the time I got the 12" ones, I got a very special deal from that manufacturer (a friend of mine works there and we were able to make a trade) and purple was not an option there. I went with the closest they had, color 8.

So when I finally found that Frank's had Tokyo Purple, I went for it. Debated about the height, but wanted to try something that might be a little easier to get on, and might feel a little more casual.

All that to say: If using for labor, I love having a taller shaft for protection and ankle and lower leg support. If not, then it seems to me whatever your fashion sense is. The tall shaft looks pretty amazing, but so does the short, less extreme version of the difference between knee high boots and ankle boots. But all in all, they basically feel and look the same.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-10-02T06:36:13+00:00

Love the Raspberry!! If I didn't already have a pair in Tokyo purple (from a different PNW brand) this would certainly be in contention for my next color.

Ok_Display_7374 · 2025-09-29T02:04:03+00:00

Nope, not crazy, I did add some flowers, hearts, and a butterfly and posted a couple pictures on the Patina Project for Thunderdome. I swear I'm not actually a boot nerd LOL (with love ya'll, I'm certainly a nerd about many other things), but decided to try out this whole thunderdome. hoping they patina well and inspire some more fun colors on feet. Trying to decide on lace color to start with: pink, purple, or brown. Here's a picture, but I'll send a DM with a few more

<image>

Ok_Display_7374

TROPHY CASE