Moccasins, are a type of traditional North American footwear. The word moccasin, which has language origins with Eastern North American tribes, traditionally referred to a shoe with a puckered u-shaped 'vamp' over the instep.
The name of the Great Lakes Ojibway tribe means 'people of the puckered moccasin'. The southern New England Narragansett word for shoe is 'Mocussinass' or 'Mockussinchass'.
Today the word moccasin, still with innumerable spellings, generally refers to all types of hard and soft soled shoes, with and without puckered toes. When constructing moccasins, it is best to make patterns on butcher paper first to make sure of proper fit, suggests David Montgomery in Mountainman Crafts and Skills.
"Use either a heavy buckskin or cowhide to make the moccasins, particularly when making one piece moccasins," he advises. "If you are going to go out in the snow or wet weather, make sure your moccasins are well oiled. I use a mink oil-beeswax solution. Heat and melt the wax right into the oil. Using a paint brush, paint the solution on the moccasins."
How to Make a Pair of Moccasins
The eHow website offers easy-to-make plans for comfortable moccasins that can be made from a variety of garment-weight leathers. Once you have worn them a few times, a sole will be formed at the bottom of the shoe. Try one on
