These little items are called Pattens. They're overshoes worn over the everyday footwear to prevent them getting covered in all the muck on the city streets (including human effluent and animal dung!). They were made from wood and leather. Not taking your pattens off when entering a house was deemed rude and inconsiderate.
I'm not known for making my own minis but on seeing a pattern recently in a Miniature magazine I decided to have a go at these and I'm pleased with the way they turned out.
They are just perfect. Once again I enjoyed reading about something I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteGeneviève
When I was a kid we had 'galoshes' which were rubber overshoes that we wore in the winter to protect our proper shoes from mud and water but I've never heard of these before. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know new things!!! They are indeed very well done!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
Meli
Irene - nicely done indeed!
ReplyDeleteWas it my Tudor leather article in DHMS? I'd be very happy if it bore fruit!
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ReplyDeleteThe lady that made the pattern for the Dolls House Magazine is Glenda. She also has a blog:-
ReplyDeletehttp://peppercornminis.blogspot.com/
You've made a great job of making them..x
Thank you for all your nice comments. They were a fun project to make - especially as I don't do it that often!
ReplyDeleteGlenda - Yes! It's your pattern - it just didn't register that you were one and the same. In fact it was a very timely article as my inspirational building has a real pair sitting in front of the fire in the kitchen so....having a pair in The Tenement was something I had to have. Thank you for that. It was a really good article.