CLOTHING THE EXTREMITIES 



gave good results, providing that the person using it 

 had good taste in putting style into the pattern. Later 

 came the Radii system, which some are using at the 

 present day. Still later came the Soule method, and 

 a book was published describing that system. This 

 method, which is said to produce very good results, 

 is still being used by many pattern-manufacturers, and 

 also by local shoe-pattern makers in many of the shoe 

 factories of the country. Some of the most enterprising 

 pattern-makers of to-day, however, are using more 

 modern methods. It is conceded that America leads 

 the world in the manufacture of shoes, principally on 

 account of superior style and workmanship; and the 

 American last- and pattern-makers are entitled to a 

 large degree of credit in establishing the character and 

 style of the American shoe. 



METHODS OF MANUFACTURE 



"The following gives a fair idea of how a pair of 

 shoes is turned out under modern methods in the factory 

 to-day: First, the cutters are given tickets describing 

 the style of shoe required, the thickness of sole, and 

 whatever other details are necessary. From this ticket 

 the vamp-cutter blocks out the vamps and gives them 

 with the ticket to the upper-cutter, who shapes the 

 vamps to the pattern and cuts the tops or quarters 

 which accompany them. The trimming-cutter then 

 gets out the side-linings, stays, facings, or whatever 

 trimmings are needed. The whole is then made into a 

 bundle and sent to the fitting department. Here they 



