Moccasin Sewing?

[SgtSchutzen]

I have a question for you folks that have made hand sewn moccasins.
I am going to be making a pair of woodland center seam moccasins. My question is what should I sew them with? I have available to me artificial sinew and waxed linen thread. Which of these should I use? I am leaning toward the fake sinew because I think it would look more correct and hold up to wear better? The waxed linen would also have advantages though, as it holds knots better and is easier to keep the stitches tight when sewing. What do you folks that have experience making them use?
Thanks in advance.

 

[fort fireman]

I would use the linen. The artificial sinew is fake. Basically nylon or polyester. The linen would be historically correct or real sinew. Also I've heard that the fake sinew doesn't have any give and will cut the leather instead of giving to it. I don't know that is correct though.

 

[Cascade Pete]

Artificial sinew is a bit stronger. Better for foot wear. The seams on a shirt or pants would be better for the linen. If You use thick leather, the sinew is no problem. Mocs wear out quick if made with thin leather, no matter what You sew them with. Foot wear takes a heck of a beating. That is why I use the sinew on them...Just My .02

 

[Ken Cormier]

fake sinew is fake plain and simple got ten yr old mocs sewn with linen and still going

 

[Rifleman1776]

I would use the linen. The artificial sinew is fake. Basically nylon or polyester. The linen would be historically correct or real sinew. Also I've heard that the fake sinew doesn't have any give and will cut the leather instead of giving to it. I don't know that is correct though.

Artificial works OK but is hard to secure. Knots have to be burned to hold. Big downside of the artificial is that it tends to be overused and that really makes it look fake. Small projects or hidden seams it is OK. Not great, but OK. Many natural fibers actually tend to hold up quite well. I'm currently using hemp because I have a ball I bought out of curiosity and it seems to be very good. Waxing helps with the threading and stitching part.

 

[Black Hand]

No question in my mind - Use the Linen. Artificial "sinew" looks nothing like real sinew and eventually frays. It has a distinctive look that screams "FAKE" from a mile away.

Make sure you wax the linen well.

 

[Birdman]

Sarge use the linen, apply a bit more wax as ya use it, just drag the thread through a small chunk of wax is plenty good, If ya ever get the chance to see mocs done with real sinue next to the fake stuff its like night n day. If ya want to use up the fake stuff as yer making projects sew them with it where it can't be seen, inside seams n such. Like others have said it screams FAKE to a more practiced eye,and over the years I've found good linen will last just as long, just some thoughts YMHS Birdman

 

[crockett]

If those are your only two choices use the linen, as everyone has said-pc.
BUT...for about $8.00 you can get from Crazy Crow, Etc a piece of sinew that ought to last a long time. Don't be afraid. You strip off a 10" thread. Soak all but one tip- the tip stays dry and you use that like a needle. Now the tip can't pierce leather so you need an awl- that's why awls were a fur trade item. Make a hole in the leather and then run in the sinew. As you get towards the end lay the tip along the seam and cover it with wrappings from a new thread. The overall stitching goes surprisingly fast and it is EASIER to use than the fake stuff that frays, etc. But if you don't want to try real sinew stay with the linen.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

Got the mocs done. I think they turned out nice for my first pair. I went with the fake sinew because I started the project befor most of you folks had a chance to reply, that`s what I get for being impatient :redface:. Any future pairs will be made with linen thread. And I`m sure I will be making more after seeing how easy they are to make. It took me longer to figure out the pattern than it did to make the moccasins. Now that I have a pattern and know what I`m doing I`ll bet I can stitch up a pair in a couple of hours. I wear mocs alot in good weather so these will see use.

 

[asalufa]

Nice! I'm hoping to make my first pair soon, too, since I'm attending my first Rendezvous in April! Can I ask what pattern you ended up using? I've seen a few floating around, and although they look similar, it would be nice to know which ones really work...

 

[Rifleman1776]

Most of your seams are hid so the result is just fine. Good job. Enjoy.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

Thanks for the compliments.
I made up my own pattern from scratch. I looked at pics of this style moc to get ideas of what they should look like. Then I used some written directions I found in a copy of "The Book of Buckskinning" I`ve had for years. Winged it from there. I sewed one up from cloth first till I got the fit right then cut that one apart to use for a pattern on my leather. They are ingeniously simple really. Each moccasin could be made from a single piece of leather but due to the shape of the piece I was working with I had to cut the flaps seperate and sew them to the "foot" part.
I`m happy with this pair but I need to make some alittle bigger so I have room in them for some insoles or heavy socks.

 

[R.C.BINGAMAN]

Nice mocs, I have made a few pair mostly out of commrecial tan deer and elk,not knowing the type of leather you used I would wear them a bit and they will probally streach out a bit this could possibly enable you to use heavier stockings, Enjoy them there is nothing better than feeling mother earth under you feet in a pair of mocs especially when you made them.A APPALICHIAN HUNTER

 

[Birdman]

Sarge a bit of advice, when your making mocs its actually better to have them a bit snug at first. Leather will stretch and some leather will stretch ALOT, elk comes to mind as a stretchy leather, AND when they get wet they will stretch. Maybe put on a couple pair of heavy socks wet the mocs down n wear em dry if ya know what I mean. You may be surprised with the final fit if ya do. Mocs are just a fancy way of going barefoot LOL. Oh and the two piece with the flap sewn on is perfectly fine, many styles were made that way. The only other thing is ya may want to think of putting a double sole on them,A little more protection for your foot and that way when the sole wears out (and it will in short order), all ya need do is resew a new sole on,a good heavy leather is great for this, I've got several pair that have 4th n 5th soles on them by now.one sorta sneaky trick when putting on a double sole is to coat the leathers where they come together with a water proof material, Goop or a clear caulk, it helps keep them a tiny bit drier inside. Mocs are also NEVER going to be water proof no matter what ya slather all over them, ya may keep them water repelent for a time but they will soak up moisture n get soggy, wet feet in this hobby is just part of the animal LOL
So far ya done a nice job.now they need some ribbon or beading for decoration,

 

[cchipmunk]

I have used both to sew leather with and prefer the linen especially after it has a chance to wear in a bit. Waxing is essential and does help protect the fiber as well.

As for the artificial sinew, I use it mostly where it can't be seen. Once you have worked and seen real sinew... there is a difference.

One thing my husband does make with artificial sinew that works out well... he does 4 or 6 strand braiding with it for me to hang my neck knife on and a small pouch I made that holds a little spending money. :wink: It sits very soft on the neck and looks nice as well.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I`ve been wearing them around the house the last few days and they have stretched out some and fit better than they did at first. They`ll never get big enough to wear with any kind of heavy wool liners or multiple pairs of thick socks though. Not a problem as they are fine for summer or indoor use. I will probably put a heavier sole on them so they last longer. Making this stuff is fun

 

[Black Hand]

You also need to pay attention to the direction of stretch for your piece. Cutting your piece with the wrong direction of stretch makes for very long floppy moccasins or ones that stretch in wierd directions...

 

[Birdman]

Sgt, easiest way is to be wearing the socks or liners when ya make your next pattern, that way its plenty big enough to fit and if a bit to big, well hehehe just put on Another pair a socks, wool liners are a great idea, you can make several sets of liners and carry them with you, as your feet get a little cold n wet you can swap them out, your toes will love ya for it, you can also cheat a mite if yer of a mind n wear divers socks(neoprenes) under everything where they won't show n have dry feet all day long, just some thoughts YMHS Birdman

 

[THOM]

One thing I learned from Chuck Burrows was to melt some pine pitch in with the beeswax.
Then when ya pull yer linen or hemp thread
thru this block; it helps the thread to last longer, and repel water.
Hope this helps...
Hi Cajun cousin Chuck... hope yer well....
:thumbsup: :v

limpinfrog