This recent shoe making class at Rivercane Rendezvous met end exceeded all expectations. The students were devoted despite weekend rain. No lost soles at the end thankfully. 11 pair of beautiful hand made boots were finished last week.  One pair was a size 14, perfect fit.

The class started making patterns, and cutting leather.  Sewing eyelet trim, or any decoration was done on the boots next. This always is the creative place for a lot of students, and this was an exceptional group. After the eyelet trims were on, the Vamps (toe and tongue area)were sewn to the quarters(uppers). The next step was to sew the boots up the back, and add the foxing( heel and ankle support).The soles were made to fit each students foot. The shoe was then fitted to the foot, and glued onto the sole with the foot inside, thus ensuring a perfect fit. The last sewing was to sew the shoe to the sole. After that the rubber grip is attached to the bottom of the shoe and cleaned up.

This is a practical way of making footwear that fits you and looks good . Look in the Classes page for the next shoe making class.

✢ Chuck & Peggy Patrick Live ✢

¤ Chuck and Peggy Patrick did a live radio broadcast of Old Time Mountain Music Friday the 19th of February at Young Harris Georgia’s station WYHG 770 AM 12pm to 1pm. The host David Brose is a well known folklorist and historian for the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Peggy comes from a family of musicians. Her father was local square dance caller in Blairsville,Georgia. His mother before him filled that function for the community. Peggy began singing in church as a child with her sisters, mother and grandmother. She plays guitar, clawhammer banjo, and does vocals.  Chuck plays fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and tenor banjo. They often play in bands with other musicians in their area. Most notable for them has been the late,  legendary left handed fiddler from Hiawassee, Georgia, Ross Brown, with whom they made a classic recording called “Ross Brown, Chuck & Peggy Patrick play your request”. This and another recording , of them ” Still Old time” are available for download from this website.

Chuck and Peggy have been playing music together since 1974. They play a variety of insruments including fiddle, banjo, and guitar. When they married Chuck and Peggy began to perform locally, and have never stopped. You can download a full recording of Chuck and Peggy Patrick’s cd, “Still Old Time” and  ”Ross Brown,Chuck &Peggy Patrick Play Your Request”  by going to the Music page.¤