A Glimpse Into the Bootmaking Process - Fancy Stitching An original hand-punched design, which has been previously made on a pattern, is chalk-dusted onto a leather upper. The fancy stitcher then stitches the pattern onto the upper. This decorative stitiching process requires a trained person with many years of experience to achieve the high standards demanded. The boot top and vamp - or the toe of the boot - are stitched in the same manner.