Pattens?

[Orphena]

Hello Garbers!

I have done some preliminary searching, and cannot find this topic on the forums - but I am hoping you can help! I am looking for a resource, idea, hints, tips, or a store where I can learn more about creating a pair (or 2) of pattens - basically ye old renaissance platform shoes to keep footwear (and hems!) out of the mud on wet, rainy, muddy days.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[gem]

You want the basic, look-like-old-fashioned-roller-skates, wooden strap-on pattens, right? Not the elaborate Venetian courtesan chopines? (I've seen a couple of tutorials for the latter, but would have to dig a bit for the basic utilitarian ones.)



You can also buy them from Armlann, for a not-too-outrageous price (about the cost of decent mundane shoes).

...And I am right there with ya! I despise mud (I may, in fact, have a slight mud phobia), and spend an inordinate amount of time fantasizing about ways to avoid the muddy patches at Fair. Fortunately (?), this year we're in such a drought, it looks like that won't be a problem. 

I would think if you had basic woodworking skills/tools (like a jigsaw), it would be fairly straightforward to rig up a pair. Trace the outline of your shoe onto some decently thick plywood, cut it out with the jigsaw. Add the blocks (maybe scraps of 1x2s--you call them something else in Canada, but it's escaping me at the mo'), and then some leather strapping.  I think the trickiest bit would be learning to actually walk in them!

[Orphena]

Hey Gem! Yeah - I am looking for FUNCTION, (with a splash of fashion!). I certainly do NOT need to increase my already giant height!

I did some more digging online - here are the articles I came up with. Not all of them are strictly Renaissance, but someone may learn a thing or two! These are in no particular order

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27205670@N00/sets/72157626409072958/with/5580610441/

http://myra.hem.nu/costume/CostumeGallery/Accessories/pattens.htm

http://67.199.35.64/page_1.html

http://www.squidoo.com/pattens

http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/metal-pattens-awkward-protection-for-18th-and-19th-century-shoes/

http://www.armlann.com/wpattens.htm

http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/exhibitions/on_a_pedestal/index.shtml

http://katerina.purplefiles.net/garb/diaries/FLFOOT_Zoccoli.html


I think that walking on them may prove to be too much of a challenge....I would love to hear from someone who has tried them!

And Gem - we call them 1 x 2s here too! It is odd - we are metric, unless you are making something, and then the old inch system takes over!

[isabelladangelo]

I recall someone making a pair out of cork and the covering the cork with velvet -not practical for mud but pretty!  I'll see if I can find the blog post again. 

[QEliz]

Here's a tutorial - can't say I've ever tried it! http://aands.org/raisedheels/Lesson1/chopine.php

[Orphena]

Wow QEliz...what a detailed tutorial! Thanks!