Making Sky Ute Moccasins

[will ghormley]

Hey Folks,

I've been wearin' the same pattern of moccasin for the last 20 years.  I made a good pattern that I use over and over.  My second oldest daughter started hinting she wanted a pair of mocs.  But, I didn't want to spend 20 years figuring out a good pattern for her feet.  Then I got the idea of digitalizing my pattern and reproducing it in different sizes, every 1/4" in length.

Before I decide to make this pattern public, I was wonderin' if I could get some feedback on it.  I made a "How-To" page of instructions.  I would like to know if the instructions are easy to follow or if they just leave you scratchin' your head.  I'd like to hear back from folks who have been wearing mocs for decades, and guys who have never made a pair.

If you guys wouldn't mind takin' a look at it and lettin' me know what you think.  Don't worry about pointin' out problems with it.  Anything you can tell me would help me make it a more useful pattern.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/SkyUteMoccasins.html

Thanks guys!
Will

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Will, I've never made a pair of Moccasins but It's one of those things I've wanted to do. Your tutorial is clear and simple. I could do it easily with one of your patterns and that tutorial. You did a great job of explaining it. Thanks. I look forward to that pattern.

[Doc Arroyo]

Hi Will-

I've been making and wearing mocs for years.  Mainly a Salish side seam pattern, but lately a modified Ligoneir pattern...too much decomposed granite walks in the fort I volunteer at.  I will proobably be trying your pattrn when you publish it.

I did notice though that you don't show how you add the third sole.  I think many folks would like that in the instructions.

[will ghormley]

Thanks for the tip Doc!  I didn't add the third sole on the pair I made for my daughter.  Perhaps I'll cut out a third sole and show how it is attached as an add-on to the current "How-To".  Actually, it helps to break 'em in before adding the third sole anyway, so maybe it was a good thing I forgot!

Thanks,
Will

[GunClick Rick]

I just put mine on,headed to the post office and i just skimmed through it,mine are like your ankle wraps but moose and a yellow gold color.I'm like Marshall Will,always wanted to try.I'll have to give it a shot..My leg has been hurtin so bad i can't wear nothin but the moccs.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  This a great Will, you did an excellent job on your tutorial, I know your finished pattern will be just as special, I'd like to give this a shot myself, as Marshal Will mentioned, I use to wear moc's all the time for hunting, and always after a day of hiking or hunting where boots were the order of the day where the moc's wouldn't have been the right choice, they can give a pard total comfort at the end of the day. thanks for sharing this with us, and let us know when patterns will be ready.


                        tEN wOLVES 

[buckskin billy]

great tutorial will,
  i have made and worn more mocs than i care to remember. the first pair i made were pucker vamp mocs( as seen in miller's paintings) and all i had to go by was a pencil drawing and a magazine article.
so with your detailed info i would think any green horn could make them.
it would seem to me, that style of moc would be easy to sew a raw hide sole on for the more tender footed pilgrim.
i have admired this particle style of moc for a long time and you can go on ahead and put me down for a order when the pattern becomes availible.

just passing on a good bit of info that was passed to me by a old timer some years back. bacon grease will work just as good as deer tallow or bear grease. it's easier to get and the smell is a little more pleasing to the women folk. been there done that

[Skeeter Lewis]

Great moccasins, Will. Put me down for a pair. Skeet

[GunClick Rick]

 

[will ghormley]

Hey Gunclick Rick,

I know what ya' mean about discomfort and shoes.  I smashed my big toe last year and the nail fell off this year.  I could hardly wear my mocs.  Lucky for me, I go barefoot most of the summer.  But, I would put on my mocs for Sunday go-ta-meetin'.  I ended up havin' to superglue a sliver of elephant ivory under my toenail and scrape the nail down thin, so it would quit growin' around into my toe as it grew out.  It's almost all growed back now, (much to my wife's relief, who thought it was gross!).

But yeah, ya' can't get much more comfortable than mocs...except when it's cold and wet.
Will

[GunClick Rick]

Ivory toenails,now there's an idea I better be careful,you'll have an instructional on it before we know it..

But it would be a good one

[Dalton Masterson]

Nice tutorial Will. Put me down for a pattern set when the time comes.
Ironically, I have several other patterns and a few books on mocs sitting on my bench right now for a winter project.
The ones I want to make though, will be taller, like the Tandy plainsman boot. (I hope)
DM

[JD Alan]

One of my friends made a pair of lace up mocs going about half way up to his knees. He used an old pair of Birkenstock sandals as a base to provide some stability. He removed the sole and the top straps, then put a Brikenstock sole on the bottom. Oregon Leather sells sheets of the sole material. We shoot in a rock quary, and it's really hard on the feet, no matter what you're wearing.

You would never know the Birkenstock platform was in there. He's a big guy, wearing size 15 or 16 boots, so he modified a pattern he bought at Tandy. He did a great job, but I think he would have benefitted from your tutorial Will. Even a guy like me can follow it.

Nice job; thanks for the effort, JD     

[Twitchy]

Wil, A few years ago I dropped a 4 foot length of hex steel barstock on my toe.  The Doc cut most of the hangins off and when it regrew it came in at an elevated angle that causes me to wear holes in the TOPS of my shoes before the bottom! Good Luck!

P.S. Love the patterns

[FEATHERS]

G'Day Will,Really nice moccasins,the tutorial is well set up,easy to follow.Feathers

[Chuck 100 yd]

Great set of instructions Will. I need to make a pair also. I have 2 of your holster patterns in front of my now.
So much to do and so little daylight. 

[Top Kick Ken]

Really clean tutuorial...I think even I might be able to follow it...and that IS saying something!   LOL     I'd love to give it a shot once everything is finalized!

Top Kick Ken

[will ghormley]

Hey Folks,

I've added another page that shows how to sew on the third soles.  Gettin' closer to havin' a pattern folks can use!

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/SkyUteMoccasinsAssemblyPage5.html

Will

[will ghormley]

OK, thanks to Chuck Burrows I've got a webpage that shows different Ute beading styles.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/SkyUteMoccasinsAssemblyPage6.html

Enjoy!
Will

[will ghormley]

After doin' some tests to see if I can fit folks with just a measurement of the length of their foot outline, I've decided it is possible.  However, my big toe is the longest.  Other folks have second and third toes that are the longest.  So, I'm goin' to revise the Ute moc pattern to allow for more room in the toe so it will fit more folks more comfortably.

Also, I've found out that the lacing method I've used on the Ute mocs doesn't keep the heel in place for folks who have a less defined heel.  So, I'm goin' to offer an alternative way to tie up the moc that takes this into account.  Between the toe alteration and the heel variation, it should be a moc pattern that fits most folks pretty well.

My next pattern will be a hard soled Geronimo pointed-toe Apache boot pattern.  Then I'll work on some eastern tribe moc patterns.  I just have to make the time to get it all done...after deer season closes.

Will