shoes??

**briarmorrow** · 08-28-2010, 11:57 PM

ok this may be dumb but i have always tried to copy the way of the true americans the indians and i have always wanted a pair of moscains i doubt i spelt that right but maybe yall can give me some tips on how to make me a pair

**canid** · 08-29-2010, 12:25 AM

be sure to google and search the forums as well.

here is a simple pattern type: http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/m.../mocinstr.html

and another: http://jumaka.com/moccasins/MakingMo...structions.htm

i've not played around much with making moccasins, so i can't be of too much help, but i hope this will get you started.

**crashdive123** · 08-29-2010, 06:48 AM

And here http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ight=moccasins

**your_comforting_company** · 08-29-2010, 08:34 AM

A good thick piece of leather for the soles. Mine are deer leather I tanned with tree bark. Nice soft leather for the uppers, mine are braintan buckskin. Trace your foot onto a piece of paper, then go around that with an extra half inch of space (for sewing). Once you have the sole traced out, you can decide which type of mocs you want to make. one-piece mocs simply have a flap that folds over with a "T" cut in it for your foot to slip in, and the side is sewn. You can make it have a half flap on each side and sew up the top with a center seam. Beyond that, you can make them in as many pieces as you want.

Lets keep in mind that most of the indigenous people didn't have patterns to go by, other than their own bodies. Get creative! Lets see what YOU come up with!

**LowKey** · 08-29-2010, 08:41 AM

And try it in something other than your leather the first time.
Cheap vinyl (naugahyde) or something like that.

**your_comforting_company** · 08-29-2010, 09:12 AM

even an old pair of raggedy bluejeans. yep, don't use your leather till you have your pattern! Thanks for tossing that in LK

**Camp10** · 08-29-2010, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by your_comforting_company

A good thick piece of leather for the soles. Mine are deer leather I tanned with tree bark.

How well is the bark tanned deer holding up? I kind of thought deer would wear out quickly as a sole and had planned to use something thicker.

**Chris** · 08-29-2010, 04:18 PM

I've made my own leather boots, mostly using this tutorial, which I tweaked a little:

http://www.seamlyne.com/design/costu...wear_index.asp

To get a template you put on a pair of tube socks, then wrap your feet in duct tape to hold the shape, and then cut them off. You now have a pattern for your feet.

I did simpler lacing on the sides, just riveted on some leather loops to lace up. I used a thick piece of veg tan leather for the sole, cow hide for the rest, little bit of deerskin accent, the welt, etc. All stitching I did with a leather sewing awl, and then because I wanted more support I glued a store bought rubber sole on to the vegtan sole.

They work. Wish I had made the instep a little tighter, but I've probably walked 10-15 miles in them at faires, no problem.

**crashdive123** · 08-29-2010, 05:13 PM

You cut your feet off to get the template? Wow! That's some serious boot makin'.

**briarmorrow** · 08-29-2010, 05:16 PM

thanks yall

**Rick** · 08-29-2010, 05:32 PM

Ummm, Crash, don't be pokin' fun at the boss. Just sayin'.........

**crashdive123** · 08-29-2010, 05:33 PM

I would never pick on a guy with no feet.

**your_comforting_company** · 08-29-2010, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Camp10

How well is the bark tanned deer holding up? I kind of thought deer would wear out quickly as a sole and had planned to use something thicker.

The grain is wearing off on the heel, but the rest seems to be holding up really well. I kinda like the thin-ness of the leather. You can still feel the ground while sharp thingies don't stick in your foot.