Moccasins

[hominy_gyrl]

Does anyone have any tips on making a moccasin pattern, or is it something you just have to learn? I have everything, but I dont want to make any major mistakes and waste materials. Thanks in advance

[between2worlds]

When I was learning how to make moccassins, I was shown how with plain old scrap fabric from a pair of jeans and a brown paper bag to make the pattern with.

I still like using a brown paper bag pattern... and I still make a cloth set first when I'm making moccasins for someone new. Once I make all the adjustments to the fabric set, I take 'em apart and mark up the patterns. I found that for me it's a lot easier to make adjustments to cloth and also gives me a chance to trial fit someone's feet and get their feedback.

I was only taught how to make the ones with the center seam down the top though, so other styles might be done differently.

~b2w

[Eagle Plumes]

[hominy_gyrl]

i was wondering, how do you make theses type of moccasins, i dont think i have ever seen these..i've only seen the kind where the top piece is one piece...is it easier than this kind?

When I was learning how to make moccassins, I was shown how with plain old scrap fabric from a pair of jeans and a brown paper bag to make the pattern with.

I still like using a brown paper bag pattern... and I still make a cloth set first when I'm making moccasins for someone new. Once I make all the adjustments to the fabric set, I take 'em apart and mark up the patterns. I found that for me it's a lot easier to make adjustments to cloth and also gives me a chance to trial fit someone's feet and get their feedback.

I was only taught how to make the ones with the center seam down the top though, so other styles might be done differently.

~b2w

[between2worlds]

i was wondering, how do you make theses type of moccasins, i dont think i have ever seen these..i've only seen the kind where the top piece is one piece...is it easier than this kind?

hrmmmm... there are a number of regional differences in mocs...

Here is about the best online "how to" I've found for something like the kind I was taught how to make:

http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/moccasin/mocinstr.html

For a look at an overview the various sorts of mocs there are:

http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/moccasin/moctext.html

~b2w

[Eagle Plumes]

There are several ways to make moc's depends on your people I have a Pot friend who calls them her elf shoes keep in mind those are her words not mine . My people the Cheyenne have a certain style and the way we bead them that make them Cheyenne style moc's. there are alot of people on here that are awesome crafts people im sure you will get many tips for your moc's.

[Blackbear]

The cheyenne style from what I can tell is more or less a plainstyle hardsole moccasin with fringe off the back... at least that's what I remember. I know there are some more differences but not sure what they are. That link that Between provided is a good one. Check it out.

[kiowakat]

I myself take a personal drawing of the foot then work it from there. this was taught to me through my family, depending on what tribe you are, is how the construction of the moc is going to be.

[Eagle Plumes]

Cheyenne moc's are plaines style and the fringe off the back are called dusters they are on some mens moc's some preasent day males dont care fro the duster style cause of people steppin on the fringe ,I had a head man once who was always pullin his mocs back on cause during the two step people behind us kept steppin on them so iwispered take them off before they get ruined and he did his wife brought em back to him after the dance

[J.L. Benet]

Here are some sites that helped me:
To look at different styles:

http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/moccasin/mocmap.html

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/7745/gallery/Emocas.html

http://jumaka.com/moccasins/MoccasinCollection.html

For some patterns:

http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/moccasin/moctext.html

http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/native/skills/moccasins.htm

http://www.nativetech.org/seminole/moccasins/construction.php

http://www.jumaka.com/moccasins/MakingMoccasins/MoccasinInstructions.htm

http://mdc.mo.gov/teacher/highered/crafts/craft21.htm

http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/moccasin/mocinstr.html

http://reviews.ebay.com/Moccasin-Pattern-make-yourself-a-pair-of-centre-seams_W0QQugidZ10000000000049259

[Czechy]

A very common tendency among beginners is to make the mocs too wide. Its easy to forget how much stretch leather has and that the usual seam allowances are pretty small. So until you get a feel for these things, a mock-up made of paper or felt is definitely a good idea.

A commercial pattern might get a newbie oriented to the basics but all experienced moc makers work from a drawing taken from each foot. That's the only way to get the best fit.

[Ron S]

The best instructions I've found for plains hardsole mocs are those found in the Missouri River pattern sold by Crazy Crow. Instructions are complete and easy to follow, illustrations are good and it's cheap. This is definately the way to go.
Ron

[powwowbum49]

Well, it is amazing how fast folks forget about a thread once it is moved to the archive...LOL

I did a tutorial on making hard sole mocsa while back that covered making a pair of hard sole mocs from start to finish. Here is a link to it in the archive...

http://www.powwows.com/gathering/showthread.php?t=12883

[Ron S]

PWB,
Thanks for reminding us of that tutorial. Excellant instructions. I've made a few pair, but was able to pick up a few tips to make things go more smoothly for next time.
Ron

[wyo_rose]

I remember a thread I contributed to, probably in the archives as well, where I posted some pics on how to make a plains style pattern from a foot outline.

If I have some time later, I'll look for it. Otherwise happy hunting.