bootkiller

Hi: I'm planning to make some fur-lined mittens this winter, and I'm unsure about something. I'm using the NativeTech mitten instructions, which doesn't really give measurements. How much bigger should I size the pattern to accomodate the fur lining? I'm planning on using rabbit fur, which should be plenty warm without adding a lot of volume. The shell will be deerhide. I want to make sure there's plenty of room in the thumb, without making them so big as to be useless. Also, would whipstitch be the best stitch to use here? Thanks, VInce

Looks like I need to go visit my uncle in Springfield sometime soon. :-) In your experience, was the main problem insect bites and brands, or simply an uneven grain? I've also seen discussion of sanding the grain to even it out, but that was for making razor strops. How would that affect the leather otherwise? Would it wear out faster, or make it not dye well? Would boning the leather smooth out fat wrinkles or other flaws? Thanks, Vince

I've had a look at the Springfield website, and while the price per piece looks pretty good, it doesn't say how heavy the leather is. In your opinion, would it make good sturdy boots?

Thanks for the tips. Moxgrove, can you give me a lead on that company that sells the used conveyor belts? And I hadn't even considered nonslip mats. Sodhoppers Custom Moccasins sells what they call a Goop Sole (barge cement mixed with ground-up rubber tires); has anybody used that? In any case, it looks like a durable sole is pretty easy stuff. Thanks again!

Hi: I'm interested in making footwear with durable outsoles (Vibram, plantation crepe, old tires, et al), and I have some questions. Right now, I'm making a pair of moccasins for my daughter, and I'd like to attach a crepe sole to the bottom so she can wear them out of the house. I also have a commission for some medieval turnshoes, again with a crepe sole. I haven't found much about working with crepe; I get the sense that it's just a sheet of latex that you cut to shape and slap on with barge cement. I've found sources selling sheets of crepe, but no precut soles. Any ideas about where to find precut soles, or should I just get busy with the scissors? And is it really that easy; just cut 'em out and slap 'em on? Or is there a trick to achieving a finished look? Same idea for lugged soles like Vibram or old tire: just glue in place, or get fancy with a turned welt and some saddle-stitching to make it look clean? Should I just throw up my hands, let a professional handle it, and endure the pitying looks? Thanks in advance, Vince

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and informative links. You're right, Bill, the coffee is good. :-) I found a really good, step-by-step tutorial on Northern Plains side-split seam moccasins on a primitive technology forum, and that's what I used for my current pair. I posted a link to it over in the footwear section. I've done some work with medieval turnsole shoes, which translates to the Sioux rawhide-soled mocs really easily, but requires a more precise pattern. So far I'm digging the whole handmade moc thing, and eventually hope to make something I can wear to work on a daily basis (business casual office, doncha know). Thanks again, Vince

Hi! I found this on a primitive technology forum. It's a very detailed, step-by-step tutorial on making side-split seam moccasins found among the Northern Plains tribes. I've used it to make a pair of low-topped boots out of light deerskin, and I'm working on another pair in heavy suede. Great stuff! http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/14813/Moccasins-101-How-to-make-one-piece-moccasins Thanks, Vince

Howdy folks! I'm Vince, born and raised in St. Louis, MO. I dabble in a lot of things: cooking, sewing, martial arts, homebrewed beer, and now leather. I was active in the SCA for years, but now not so much. (Three small children and a limited income will do that to you.) Anyway, I'd always been curious about leatherworking and cordwaining but never really got into it until recently. My oldest daughter has a boot fetish and unusually narrow feet, so shoes that fit properly can be expensive. I found some old black suede I'd used for armor and started researching moccasins. Of course, in order to work all the kinks out of the process I had to make a pair for myself, out of an old deerskin. I now have very nice house slippers, and soon my oldest will have supercool bespoke knee-high moccasins. (I'll get pics as soon as I find the camera) I'm interested in making useful things (clothes, shoes, belts, bags, riding crops... my daughter likes horses too, not what you think, really!) and I look forward to picking everybody's brains and asking incredibly naive and ignorant questions. Thanks, Vince