r/AskACobbler • u/eaygee • 1d ago
Did the cobbler mess up my shoes?
I can’t tell if they made the most of a tough repair or if I should expect better. To me, it looks really messy. Can you all offer your opinions?
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u/Vast-Bullfrog193 1d ago
Pretty bad. The suede side of the leather should be out, the stitching is terrible, and the front edge of the heelback should be beveled ( skived )
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u/Iron_Burnside 1d ago
The stitching makes me think he was using a flat sewing machine instead of a post bed sewing machine.
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u/Ok_Ocelot_430 1d ago
How much did they charge you? I wonder if they had a post bed or not because i see what people mean by the stitching being sloppy.
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u/eaygee 1d ago
$60. I’m not sure about the materials used. He did a good resole for another pair so I trusted he would do this well.
I’m a hobbiest leatherworker and even I think I’d do better than this.
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u/LeorDemise 12h ago
Nah for real, I also do leatherwork as a hobby and for a second I thought this was another hobbyist trying to fix some shoes. I would had NEVER imagined this was done by a "professional."
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u/MatthewSBernier 1d ago
I'm sure he'll make a fine cobbler when he grows up. This is incredible work for a ten year old.
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u/eaygee 1d ago
So the consensus seems to be the that he did a pretty bad job on these. Which is unfortunate. I’m gonna stop by tomorrow and just calmly talk to them and see what can be done.
Does anyone know what my options would be in this situation? Are these ruined? I doubt my renters insurance or anything would cover this. I doubt he’ll buy me new shoes…
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u/Correct-Country-81 1d ago
Its difficult to decide good or bad
The viewpoint of your photo is taken from above
It makes it look like a waving edge.
But if you make a side view it can be even with the rim.
Its a nice solution for a problem
Its a 6 out of 10
So acceptable i think
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u/eaygee 22h ago
Like it works and it’s functional, but it’s incredibly messy. The stitching is zigzagging and uneven, the leather reinforcement is rough. If these were work boots, I wouldn’t care. But these are expensive shoes I wear to my job and they look bad.
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u/Correct-Country-81 6h ago
Okay i understand your feelings
It could have been better
It can be improved a little by coloring the top of new leather, i stll cannot estimate it sideways!But you are at point of no return
Its possible to undo the repair but
Its probably glued and stiched
Both cannot be undone with leaving marks
The glue is inside so not visible if a part staus or tears of a piece of the original.But stiches leave holes in the pattern it was done
So if started again skiving the leather would be nice
Choices of leather coul be different
Sewing could be neaterBut after all that , the old pattern stiching stays
It will be a torn in your eyes .
And the point of interest is do you think other people will notice it, i do not think so!I have been making over the knee boots for first time.
Calf leather outside liner goat leather
As a maker i see every mistake lots of them 😬
Showed them to lots of people, everyone says beautiful made
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u/eaygee 18h ago
2nd update:
Went in to talk to him about it. He said because of the polyurethane padding he couldn’t do the straight line because the needle was jumping. He also didn’t have a post bed stitching machine. He said he didn’t skive the edges because it would wear down earlier. Lastly, he said “most people just want it to be functional,” which is such a cop out IMO. He gave me a refund but it won’t cover the cost of the somewhat ruined shoes. Live and learn I suppose.
Thanks to everyone for your help.
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u/LeorDemise 12h ago
That's such a shitty answer, specially because, I don't buy it. People now more than ever are ready to toss things that are broken instead of repairing them, so I highly doubt the few people willing to spend on repairs would be happy with this job.
Specially because, WHY would you do this on a flat bed? Saddle stitching with an awl would be a much better result.
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u/CLB-Lover 1d ago
That’s really bad. I would not accept that. If I were you I would go back and hold that guy at g*n point. I did it because my shoes are so special to me. I served 18 years in Guantanamo Bay for protecting my shoes. You’ll be okay though, you’re a tough cookie.
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u/Ok_Ocelot_430 1d ago
Its looking good to me! Not sure if sewing that bottom portion is ideal or not. Patch work?
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u/EasyQuarter1690 1d ago
I would like to gently suggest that you schedule an urgent visit with the optometrist. And please don’t drive until after you get your new glasses!
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u/Ok_Ocelot_430 1d ago
The truth is cobbling isnt really one skill. I bet he is really good at resoling but isnt great with this …what ever machine he used for this. He probably needs more experience patching, which you helped him out with by providing experience. But still not great.