How to Make Your Own Moccasins at Home?

Finding the proper footwear for the long, harsh, and cold winter season can be quite challenging. Instead of sitting in that extra comfy position in front of the fire, you can make yourself your own snug and comfy pair of shoes to keep your toes warm.

Moccasins are one of the best options available to you, particularly for this case. These leather pairs are both stylish as well as comfortable. Not to mention, you don’t need to be a professional cobbler to make them.

Simply gather all the required utensils and components and follow our guide step by step to attain the perfect result.

What are we waiting for? Let us begin.

Things You Will Be Needing

How to Make Your Own Moccasins at Home 

Here are steps you need to follow to make your moccasins at home.

Step 1: Trace Your Feet on a Paper Bag

Take a paper bag that is large enough for you to trace your feet on. Place it on the ground and stand on it. Use a seam allowance of approximately ⅛ of an inch with a pen or pencil to trace your feet.

This particular tracing will be used throughout the process. In which case, you will want to be as accurate as possible to avoid any sort of mistakes. Poor measurements can always yield bad results. Hence, to make your tracing as accurate as possible, simply avoid slanting your pen or pencil when marking on the paper bag.

Step 2: Create an Outline on Your Tracing

We will not be using only the tracing of the feet to create the mocassins. Additionally, we will need to outline the tracing to make it fit on your feet more snugly. In this step, you will need to take a scale and draw a line from the middle of the tracing to the heel and extend past it.

Once you have done that, you will want to run another line from one edge of the feet to the other horizontally. Connecting both the lines should create a neat T line; this will be the sole of your moccasins.

Step 3: Make an Exterior Line of Your Tracing 

Now you will want to place both your hands exactly in the middle of your tracing, where both the lines connect to form the T shape.

Bend your thumbs and place them against each other whilst making your index fingers touch. This should make a heart-shaped lining with your hands. After you have done that, squeeze all your fingers closer to each other.

If you have done all that well enough, you will want to trace the outer linings of your hands. This will help create a triangle shape along the outside of your tracing.

You will want to start the tracing by the side of your template, where you will be marking the outside of your palms. Draw the line from the top of the foot to the outline and the heel to create the shape.

Make sure the peak of the shape is rounded. Keep approximately a gap of (1.3 cm) between the tip of the triangle and the toes of your tracing. Also, leave an inch of space between the area of the heel and the triangle.

When you have successfully traced the triangle, you will want to cut it. Make sure to cut out following the line of the triangle and not the tracing of the feet.

Step 4: Make the Leather Templates for Each Feet 

You will want to start off by taking two large pieces of leather. Each should be, at least, fifty centimeters by forty centimeters in dimensions. Place them on a flat surface before you begin working on them. Label them (L or R) accordingly; this will aid you throughout the process.

Do not be alarmed as the part which you will have labeled on, in the beginning, is the base of the footwear and will not be exposed. After you have labeled them, you will want to trace the triangular template on the inside of the leather.

This will be the main template on which you will be basing the main structure. After you have traced it, cut it out and prepare for the next step. Do the same for all four pieces of leather.

Also, do the same for the triangular pieces before placing one triangular piece on top of the feet tracing cut out of the leather. Make sure to place the rough side up for the triangular pieces.

Step 5: Begin the Stitching Process 

Start this step by grabbing the glovers needle and some artificial sinew thread. You will have to make sure that the thread you are using is at least the length of an arm. Because, to yield the best results, you will need to finish the entire stitching process with one span of thread.

Next, you will have to align the shapes according to the edges of the sole. Begin by sewing from the middle of the toe to the edges of the sole and the triangular piece. The most commonly preferred stitching method used for stitching a mocassin is the whip stitch.

Afterwards, you will want to fold the front of the mocassin to the heel using a cross-stitch. This variation in the stitching method for the two different parts of the moccasin creates a nice flair and fashionable touch.

Step 6: Time to Cut the Excess

If you have done each step adequately, then after folding the fabric, you should be able to cut a slit along the top of the ankle stitch. Over here, the T-Shaped cut out from earlier should be connected to the leather.

Simply cut off roughly about one to two inches from the top of the ankle stitch inwards. This will act as the front of your footwear.

When you are done with that, cut off any other excess threads poking out. Avoid cutting large portions of leather. However, if you want, you can add embellishments, beads, and fringes to make your footwear to make it unique and beautiful.

Conclusion

Now you can wear your own handmade moccasin as you are curling up to the fire with a hot cup of coffee. Easy, isn’t it? You can experiment and find the one perfect for you in your own unique way. Who said you have to stick to one specific form of fabric?

Simply try changing up the material. Why not try using jeans instead of leather? How about using corduroy fabric instead?

All of these are the options available to you. Follow our easy step-by-step guide and let your imagination run wild. Make this winter season perfect for us by making it perfect for you.

After all, the best moccasins are the ones you will be making, not us.