Two moccasin questions

[BillinOregon]

One: I thought I would use artificial sinew for thread, as I haven't any quantity of the real thing, although I do have some linen. Advice?
Two: I bought a chunk of tanned moosehide from Moscow Hide and Fur for the soles. Trouble is, I am unsure how it was cut relative to the spine of the moose, and George White says it is important to orient the leather perpendicular to the spine, and especially not on the bias. I thought I would try stretching the leather to see if I can orient the piece relative to the critter, but is there any other way to tell?

 

[pichou]

one: reenactors use artificial sinew. Indians use thread. :wink:

 

[blacksmithman64]

Go with the linen! Why ruin an otherwise good project with that ugly fake nylon junk!?

 

[wulf]

The direction of the leather to the spine may be
related to water run off like on pants,leggins or
shirt/coat...if you look rear close I think you
can chose the right direction for the bottoms.....
my opinion based on nothing of value...

 

[LRB]

Soak in water. Make a stretching hoop, or whatever, and stretch it out tight while wet. Let dry, and don't worry about direction. No, do not use artificial sinew. Use linen thread, or Nyltex look alike. It's hard to tell the difference without a burn test.

 

[Black Hand]

One: I thought I would use artificial sinew for thread, as I haven't any quantity of the real thing, although I do have some linen. Advice?
Two: I bought a chunk of tanned moosehide from Moscow Hide and Fur for the soles. Trouble is, I am unsure how it was cut relative to the spine of the moose, and George White says it is important to orient the leather perpendicular to the spine, and especially not on the bias. I thought I would try stretching the leather to see if I can orient the piece relative to the critter, but is there any other way to tell?

Most of the stretch seems to go around the critter, but would depend on the type of leather. I would rather it stretched a bit front to back than side to side. Either way, I match the stretch for both moccassins.

 

[BillinOregon]

Thanks guys. I have some Irish Barbour's three-cord No. 50 linen thread, but fear it may be too light, even if doubled. I also have waxed linen three-strand that I use for sewing holsters and heavier leather projects. Will use one of the two. Do you use the triangular-pointed needle for your moccasin work?

 

[pichou]

Interesting note...

Barbour has been around since 1784, and at one time supplied the Hudson Bay Co.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I use a 3 sided glovers needle. If you use the artificial sinew you'll need to pull it down so that its only one thread, like you would with real sinew. Otherwise it will look like it was sewn with artificial sinew. I seldom use real sinew on foot wear for the simple reason is that it tends to pop apart at the worst times if worn a lot. It has a bad thing about dry out, gettin stiff and blowin out. The Barbour would work ok.
Good luck with your moc's.

 

[Black Hand]

Do you use the triangular-pointed needle for your moccasin work?

I prefer to punch the holes with an awl and use 2 blunt harness needles to do the sewing (saddle stitch). My awl point is about the diameter of the needle and sharpened to a triangular point. Why two steps you might ask? It gives me more control of where the stitches are placed.

 

[blacksmithman64]

I use Barbours too in 4 ply, its tough stuff.I have made a few pairs of moccs with it and it seems to hold up well.poke yer holes with an awl and use a blunt needle. If you use a pointy needle in leather, it grabs and then you apply pressure and the next thing you know yer cryin' to yer momma to pull the needle out of yer finger! :rotf:

 

[John Wasmuth]

Use a 3 sided glovers needle there is no second step.

 

[Birdman]

if your worried about the thread being to light in weight double or tripple it. Take some bees wax if ya have it n wipe the multiple threads down against the wax to coat them, then roll/twist the threads against your thigh to create a thicker thread(think of the layers of a piece of rope), the wax will help hold the threads together once rolled and also aids the thread going through your punched holes. Should be plenty strong after that.

 

[Twisted_1in66]

Thanks guys. I have some Irish Barbour's three-cord No. 50 linen thread, but fear it may be too light, even if doubled. I also have waxed linen three-strand that I use for sewing holsters and heavier leather projects. Will use one of the two. Do you use the triangular-pointed needle for your moccasin work?

It may be Irish Linen thread, but Barbour is a very English company. They make absolutely great waxed cotton coats.

Tandy sells some small spools of waxed linen thread that works well for making moccasins or doing saddle stitching on heavy leather. I used it on some mocs and also on my side-seam leggings. Looks a lot better than the fake sinew stuff.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup: