Mocassin Help

[Slickshot]

I am looking at making my 16 yr old Daughter some mocossins (she asked), but want to line them with some sheepskin.  How much bigger do have to make the pattern in order for them to still fit her once the sheepskin is inside?

And do you have any pointers to give me before I start?

Help!

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I know this is probably not helpful, but I won't build shoes or a hat without a last/mold.  Once you have those you can easily answer a lot of design and materials questions in real space.  I just got some sheepskin that I intend to use for Archery tabs.  I looked for the heaviest hide I could get.  I started with the Tandy saddle stuff, and it had a paper thin hide, which may be desirable for saddles, don't know.  Ended up buying something very dissimilar.   Anyway, these two materials were so different I would never know what haircut to make on a lining, without just building it out.  But that's just me.

Here is an interesting set of photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wassookeagmoccasins/5947409642/in/set-72157627164941544/

[Massive]

I use this info for last-making:

http://www.shoemakingbook.com/george%20koleff.htm

There may be some Youtube videos. 

Lasts can be purchased new, but there are also lots of them out there on ebay etc...  One can buy a last in a standard shoe size, then build it out to a custom fit, by gluing on leather, or bondo.  That is how a lot of shoemakers do it.  I follow bespoke practices and make the lasts, which is sub-average woodworking.  Most shoe lasts, however, are designed for shoes with heel rise, so a Moccasin last would be an interesting animal.  Guy in the pics seems to be using standard lasts, probably doesn't mater.

[Bugscuffle]

Why not just make the sheepskin part to fit her foot and then build the moccossins around the sheep skin?

[GunClick Rick]

go to debbieleather1@yahoo.com and ask her,she is making a pair of beaded moccs for me.Tell her Rick in Visalia sent ya,i wouldn't think it would be over a half size as the sheep will crush down,but i ain't never made none,ask Ned Buckshot too..

[Ned Buckshot]

I'm currently working on a pair of slippers for a lady friend. I have found using real sheepskin was just too thick! I had to make the moc 2 sizes bigger and it made the people look like they had clown feet!!!!

The biggest problem I had was the hide on the sheepskin was so thick it made them really stiff.

I've tried differant materials for warm linings and what I currently use is 1/2" synthetic sheepskin.

I use a tandy pattern and add a 10 oz. leather insole and a Cat's Paw brand outer sole that is very thin and flexable,makes 'em last alot longer, you can wear them outside and it doesn't kill your foot if you step on a rock or something!

Here's a picture of a pair I made for myself last year, wear them every day and they still look like new. These are made of Elk with synthetic lining and rough out pigskin for trim. These have a differant linging than I currently use.

I have alot of the outersole material and would be happy to send you some free if you want it?

Ned

[Ned Buckshot]

OHPS, forgot the picture!

[GunClick Rick]

Ned those look comfy as all get out,can you make those without the pucker at the top a more smooth top?You wanna make some money doin those go to etsyfinds.com type in moccasins,i don't believe there is anything like yours there,you could corner the market...

[Slickshot]

Those are some darn fine lookin' mocassins.  Where do you get the soles?

I was just thinkin on doubling or tripling up the leather in the sole area.  I've never made mocassins, but will give it a try within a month or so.

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[Ned Buckshot]

I got the sole material from a cobblers supply house that was going out of business, bought all the remaining stock real cheap!

I've got more of it than I can expect to ever use so I'd be happy to send you enough for a pair of slippers N/C if you would like.

It comes in rectagular sheets and you cut out what size you need, kindof a bear to stitch by hand because the sole material grabs the needle but well worth the effort.

I wore a pair virtually every day for 7 years before the sole wore out!

[hawkeye2]

Ned,

      That is one fine looking pair of moccasins!  I wonder if I might be able to get enough of that sole material to do a couple, for which I would be very willing to pay.  Do you remember if it has a generic or brand name?

      I was in a Rev War group for more than 25 years as a rifleman and I made quite a number of pairs of mocassins but one thing always worried me and did give problems.  They are way too slippery on grass to the point of being dangerous if you wern't careful.  I found using innertubes for soles worked well except the rubber tore from hole to hole and the sole would come off after a while.

Slickshot,

      Why not just have her stand on a piece of the material, wrap it around her foot and measure that?  Use the new measurements to develop the pattern.  I have found it works best to fit the mocassins slightly too tight as they strech to conform to the foot very fast.

[Slickshot]

Gook Idea Hawkeye 2...  Makes sence except I don't have the Sheepskin in hand as yet. 

Once I have it I will give it a try.

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[GunClick Rick]

I have a piece of sheep if ya need it,thing is it would be later this week before i could send it to ya..Got it from my cousin that has an upholstry shop,Classic Upholstry Visalia,Ca. he does classic cars and uses all kinds of leather then puts them in a scrap barrel what is left over.I got probably enough for two,for sure one pair.

[Ned Buckshot]

I'd be happy to send you some Hawkeye!

Sent you a PM.

By the way it's sold under the generic name "sole saver", I have both Cat's Paw brand and unbranded.

Ned

[hawkeye2]

Ned,

      Have you had any problems with the thread pulling through the sole material over a period of time?  Does it sew like leather?  Did you use glue too?

Thanks

[Ned Buckshot]

I hand stitch every thing so you need to be carefull about the tension you put on the stitch or it will pull through the sole much like leather.

I use Barge cement on the outersole and leather weld on the inner sole then sew everything together.