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Post by Black Hand on May 9, 2020 16:47:00 GMT -7
Once again - Spence brings up a great point. We (modern people) spend hours and hours agonizing over moccasins, when in the period they were a disposable item that were quickly made, worn and discarded when no longer serviceable.
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Post by brokennock on May 9, 2020 16:52:31 GMT -7
Joseph Doddridge, Notes on the Settlements and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania 1763-1783 "The moccasons in ordinary use cost but a few hours labor to make them. This was done by an instrument denominated a moccason awl, which was made of the backspring of an old clasp knife. This awl with its buckhorn handle was an appendage of every shot pouch strap, together with a roll of buckskin for mending the moccasons. This was the labor of almost every evening. They were sewed together and patched with deer skin thongs, or whangs, as they were commonly called. Spence Quote As I sit here watching the various methods listed. I keep thinking, I like the Steve Davis method and end result the best, BUT, the video quality is poor and I'm lost at the point where he connects all his gathers, or puckers, together. Is he poking fresh hole and connecting the peaks of the gathers, or going back through the same holes? The running stitch method Cassandra shows would seem to leave an open hole between the puckered area with the left and right sides not connected.
But, the leather thong method shown by wandering bull in the video that nwterritorywoodsman linked to connects both sides. And, is beautiful in its simplicity.
So I appreciate the validation of the method.
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Post by Black Hand on May 9, 2020 17:09:10 GMT -7
Running stitch for gathers/pleats/puckers: This is accomplished by making a running stitch along the edge then pushing/pulling everything tight.
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Post by brokennock on May 9, 2020 20:46:29 GMT -7
Hmmm? Okay. Serviceable it would seem. But, something is wrong. I used the heavier hemp "thread" given that the leather thong is pretty thick. And, I used the lacing/stitching method/pattern that was shown in the video by Wandering Bull where he uses the leather thong. I had cut some "insoles" out of wool blanket scrap. When I made my pattern I had on thin socks and placed an insole under my foot, I took the measurement for the circumference of my foot just in front of the ankle around the insole and sock. The finished moccasins can barely be fit onto my bare foot, and the end of the seem on top of the foot falls short of where it should met the front of the ankle. The top center seem already comes all the way to the corner of where the flap starts, so I can't add a few stitches. Even if I could, this would make the opening even smaller and I'd never get my foot into the moccasin. Where do I need to adjust my pattern? Or, is there somewhere else I need to alter?
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on May 9, 2020 21:03:04 GMT -7
I forgot to mention that I also carry a roll of rawhide for repairs. On the left rawhide for repairs & on top of the rawhide is sinew. On the right is beeswax.Keith.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on May 9, 2020 21:15:18 GMT -7
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Post by brokennock on May 9, 2020 21:17:30 GMT -7
Ya, I have those saved/bookmarked too. Thanks.
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Post by hawkeyes on May 10, 2020 6:02:15 GMT -7
While I've switched to making mocs from split moose which helps in the wear department, I've always used real sinew and linen. Never had any reason to look elsewhere really. Yes they wear but since I've worn mocs from the start I always new they were a consumable and accepted it. I always, always carry a spare set complete and enough material to fashion even a third pair. Have my colonial shoes but I'll admit, wouldn't trade mocs for them!
Only area I'd skimp on thread would be the sole... I agree with BH nobody will see the stitching but I've had no reason to use anything other than linen. I also won't walk on pavement or concrete with them. That will significantly enhance the lifespan staying off those surfaces.
I can attest though to the durability of the fake stuff. I've used it exclusively for my falconry equipment when sewing gloves and lures. My redtail was an avid picker which gave her a wonderful shredding ability. Other less durable threads stood no chance of a life. Switched to the artificial stuff and while yes, a raptor will destroy any thread it holds up nicely. Would for soles I'd say as well.
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Post by brokennock on May 10, 2020 14:36:25 GMT -7
Here is how they turned out. I had some other leather stuff to be greased/oiled so I stuck these in the oven as low as it would go (170 degrees F) along with my trekker boots and just finished Lyman bag. "greased" these with neet's foot oil. Did the bag and boots with Track's mink oil. It smells worse, but I find the mink oil easier to work with. On the split leather the neet's foot oil just soaks right in in one spot and is hard to spread without using a ton of it. Anyway, here is the finished product,
I'll try to get some pics of them on my feet at some point.
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Post by nwterritorywoodsman on May 10, 2020 15:27:27 GMT -7
Looks like a sturdy pair of bison hide moccasins Nnock! :well done:
I think youve convinced me to try out some of that buffalo hide. One question, how many the 5-8sq hides did these moccs take? NWT Woodsman
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Post by brokennock on May 10, 2020 17:18:01 GMT -7
Looks like a sturdy pair of bison hide moccasins Nnock! :well done: I think youve convinced me to try out some of that buffalo hide. One question, how many the 5-8sq hides did these moccs take? NWT Woodsman I ordered 1. Online now ordering a couple more. I want to try some of the other methods before I try it on a more expensive hide. I'd really like to do the method Steve Davis shows if someone can decifer and guide me through the part where he talks about connecting the folds together.
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Post by hawkeyes on May 11, 2020 4:48:56 GMT -7
Simple pair of mocs that will serve you well!
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