Making Native American Indian Moccasins
C R A F T F O C U S - M O C C A S I N S
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Evolution of Moccasin Styles
Native American moccasin design evolved to suit the environment of each tribe's habitat. Hard-sole moccasins, usually made from two or more pieces of hide, are often associated with the western plains and deserts areas. The hard sole of shaped rawhide and fitted leather upper required more tailoring than other types of moccasins, extra work required to protect feet from harsh ground cover. Soft-soled moccasins, often made from a single piece of leather were common in the Eastern Forests. Some soft-soled moccasins from the Plains and Northwest Coast were made from one piece but they were sewed along one the side of the foot rather than the center, as were their Eastern counterparts.
Making Native American Moccasins
Regardless of the type moccasins you wish to make, we have tried to assemble all the available online links and resources to help with the task. As additional information is found or created, we will add it in order to keep this reference current. In addition to the Web resources, we also highlight related products offered by Crazy Crow to make your moccasin craft project easier and the results more assured.
Overview of Native American Footwear - Moccasins
Native Tech: Discussion of history and origin of Native American footwear. Includes sketch of construction techniques of different styles and overview of materials used in construction and decoration.
Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, Canada. Click regions (Southeast, Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, Plateau & Basin, Northwest & Subarctic) of a map of North America for a description of the environment, climate and culture that influenced the evolution of moccasins in each area. Several photo samples are provided for each region, showing various tribal styles.
Native Tech: Map image displays type moccasins by tribal location. Link links to view photo samples of individual moccasins by tribe/location. Fun and informative graphic aid.
How to make a pair of woodlands style moccasins with fur trim. A free pattern is available in a woman's size 7 (as a PDF file - you will need Acrobat to view).
Native Tech: Step-by-step instructions for making your own paper pattern and one-piece, soft-sole, center-seam moccasins.
Instructions & diagrams for making 1-piece soft sole plains moccasins as would be seen in Missouri in the early 1800s. Part of a series of craft projects presented on this organization's website.
Beadwork is the best-known art form of Wind River and Fort Hall Shoshones and Bannocks. The beaded items are arranged in a rough chronological order. Oldest examples are shown first. Beadwork Index Page 2 focuses on the transitional floral patterns from 1890-1950, while see the Beadwork Index Page 3 for the modern examples. Click on thumbnails to see larger image and provenance/source.
Online galleries of both museumquality collections and quality reproductions,including Hopewell pipes, axes& celts, points, bead work, baskets, pottery, and more. This is a private collection, offering many close-up images of beadwork, moccasins (Crow & Cree) and other crafts.
Online exhibit of mostly old moccasinsfrom the Heritage Center in Pine Ridge, SD. Some very nice images.
From the Museum and Research Center of the American Mountain Men: Article from Tomahawk & Long Rifle. Detailed sketches and description of moccasins, circa 1900.
Beautiful partially and fully beaded Sioux, Southern Arapaho, Cheyenne & Hidatsa moccasins dating from 1870 - 1920.
Moccasins presented represent three distinct forms - Micmas, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy & Penobscot style.
Moccasins from her personal collection, mostly soft-sole, Woodlands. Other galleries are available on this website as well, including Plains moccasins and mukluks.
M O C C A S I N & B E A D W O R K V I D E O S 
How to Make Moccasins
An excellent video for anyone interested in making an authentic pair of moccasins. Very well presented with great close-ups of important steps. You will be guided step-by-step through each stage of construction. Includes emphasis on various tribal styles and different techniques. A Full Circle Video Production.
4080-002-033 . . . . $19.95 Order Online
How to Bead Native American Style - Lazy Stitch
Learn how to bead on a variety of materials, including ball caps, jean jackets and leather. Beginning project is a colorful 8-point Sioux Star perfect for sewing on a jacket or making a pouch. Includes printed instruction sheet, graph paper for planning designs and a supply list. Perfect for beginners 10 and up. A Full Circle Video Production.
4080-002-007 . . . . $19.95 Order Online
M O C C A S I N P A T T E R N S
Plains Style Moccassin Pattern
The only authentic moccasin pattern on the market. Illustrated instructions include helpful hints on assembly and show correct decoration for several tribal styles. Sizes: Men's 7-12 and Women's 5-10. A Missouri River® Pattern Production.
4799-500-010 . . . . $7.95 Ea $7.50 Ea (3+ assorted)
Order Online
Plains High-Top Moccasin Pattern
This pattern takes all the guesswork out of moccasin making! Using our simple instructions, even a beginner can create a fine-looking pair of authentic high-top moccasins. Includes correct decoration information for several tribal styles. Sizes: Men's 7-12, Women's 5-10. A Missouri River® Pattern Production.
4799-500-011 . . . .
$7.95 Ea $7.50 Ea (3+ assorted)
Order Online
Child's Moccasin Pattern
Many of you have asked for moccasin patterns in kids' sizes, so here they are! Includes sizes from newborn to around 8 years of age, in both hard and soft sole. Complete with highly detailed, authentic instructions. A Missouri River® Pattern Production.
4799-500-206 . . . . $7.95 Ea $7.50 Ea (3+ assorted)
Order Online
M I S S O U R I R I V E R K I T S®
Plains Hard Sole Moccasin KitFirst quality materials for authentic plains moccasins of the 1800s to today. Kit includes: 2 thick white latigo soles, 2 soft pieces of moccasin cowhide for uppers, tongues & laces, 1 yard simulated sinew & illustrated instructions.
4826-011-301 To size 11 . . $31.00 Ea
4826-011-302 Size 11-13 . . $33.00 Ea
Kit with Gold Buckskin:
4826-012-301 To size 11 . . $40.00 Ea
4826-012-302 Size 11-13 . . $41.50 Ea
Order Online
Buckskin High-Top Moccasin KitMade from genuine smoke colored buckskin, these leggings were worn by men and women alike. Kit includes: 2 thick white latigo soles, gold buckskin for uppers, tongues & laces, 6 yards simulated sinew, glovers needles & illustrated instructions. A Missouri River® Kit.
4827-991-401 To size 11 . . $53.00 Ea
4827-991-402 Size 11-13 . . $58.00 Ea
Kit with White Buckskin:
4827-992-401 To size 11 . . $68.00 Ea
4827-992-402 Size 11-13 . . $74.00 Ea
Order Online
Northern Plains Softsole Moccasin KitThis one-piece style was popular on the Plains in the pre-1850s. Kit includes: 2 soft pieces of thick moccasin cowhide, needle, leather for laces & tongues & illustrated instructions.
4826-021-001 To size 10 . . $21.00 Ea
4826-021-002 Over size 10 . . $22.00 Ea
Kit with Gold Buckskin:
4826-022-001 To size 10 . . $26.25 Ea
4826-022-002 Over size 10 . . $28.25 Ea
Kit with Gold Elk:
4826-022-001 To size 10 . . $36.75 Ea
4826-022-002 Over size 10 . . $40.00 Ea
Order Online
Eastern Woodlands Softsole Moccasin KitA typical style of soft Indian moccasin often adopted by Eastern frontiersmen. Kit includes: thick moccasin cowhide, needle, simulated sinew & illustrated instructions.
4827-101-001 To size 8 . . $17.75 Ea
4827-101-001 Size 8-10 . . $18.95 Ea
4827-101-002 Over size 10 . . $19.95 Ea
Kit with Gold Buckskin:
4827-102-001 To size 8 . . $25.25 Ea
4827-102-001 Size 8-10 . . $26.25 Ea
4827-102-002 Over size 10 . . $27.25 Ea
Order Online
B O O K S - P U B L I C A T I O N S
Craft Manual of North American FootwearGeorge White - Many types of moccasins are shown here, from Navajo and Sioux to Northwest Coast and Southeastern to Woodlands. Includes detailed pattern layouts and instructions for making many styles. Contains footwear from over 15 different tribes. 71 pages, over 100 illustrations and sketches. Softcover.
4105-003-042 . . . . $8.00
Order Online
Whispering Wind - Craft Annual #5Chock full of terrific craft instructions with articles on Jingle Dresses, moccasins, flat fans & much more. 48 pages, 53 photos (22 color) & 59 illustrations. Softcover.
4105-045-119 . . . . $7.00
Order Online
Beads & Beadwork of the American IndianOrchard - First published in 1929, this is the classic reference on American Indian beadwork, beginning with primitive beadmaking techniques, tools & materials (shell, bone, stone, metal, etc.). Features photos of clothing articles and tools, plus a multitude of techniques and variations employed by Native Americans such as loom heddle, lazy stitch, side stitch, edging, overlay, & net or gourd-stitch. 168 pages, 41 photos (16 in color), 136 quality illustrations. Softcover.
4103-006-086 . . . . $16.95
Order Online
M A T E R I A L S & S U P P L I E S
Click any link below to view detailed product and ordering information.
Leather for Moccasin Uppers
• Buckskin - Commercial Tan - white, gold, willow; sizes from 4-6 sf - 14-16 sf
• Smoked German-Tan Buckskin - best quality for moccasins & clothes
• Elk Hides - white, gold; sizes from 10-13 sf - 16-19 sf
• Cowhide - various types & grades; good substitute for more expensive deer & elk
Leather for Moccasin Soles
• Moccasin Soles: White Latigo - heavy leather, approx 1/4" thick; tough & long wearing
• White Latigo Sides - avg size 20-22 sf; great idea if doing lots of mocs
Needles • Thread • Lacing
• Glovers Needles - heavy needles with sharp triangular edges for sewing hides
• Sharps Needles - short, stiff needles best suited for lazy stich or applique beading
• Genuine Sinew - clean & ready for use in craft projects - the 'original' thread!
• Simulated Sinew - excellent substitute for the real thing, extremely strong
Seed Beads
• Czech Seed Beads - 10/0 - 14/0 sizes
'Tin' Cones
• Genuine Tin Cones - sizes: ¾", 1", 1-1/8", 1¼"
• Aluminum Cones - sizes: ¾", 1", 1-1/8", 1¼"
• Brass Cones - sizes: ¾", 1", 1-1/8", 1¼"
Tools
• Scratch Awls - hardwood handle, life-saver when you need needle holes to make sewing easier
• Scissors - assorted styles, high carbon stainless scissors make cutting leather
• Bead Graph Paper - developed by Crazy Crow for lazy stitch used on moccasins
Other Items for Moccasins
• Buckskin Cleaner - white clay balls used to clean white buckskin
