How to Make Hard Sole Moccasins

Materials:

- Genuine Leather (1.5 mm thickness)

- Sole Material (1.0 mm thickness)

- Waxed Thread (0.8 mm thickness)

- Leather Punch

- Awl

- Scissors

- Sandpaper

- Edge Slicker

- Contact Cement

- Rubber Cement

Step 1: Create a Pattern

- First, you need to create a pattern for the moccasins. You can do this by tracing your foot onto a piece of paper or using an existing pattern.

- Ensure that the pattern includes enough allowance for stitching and seam lines.

Step 2: Cut Out Leather Pieces

- Once you have the pattern, cut out the leather pieces. You will need two pieces of the same shape for the upper and one piece for the sole.

Step 3: Prepare the Leather

- Before stitching the leather pieces together, you need to prepare them by punching stitching holes and burnishing the edges.

- Use a leather punch to punch the holes along the edges of the leather pieces.

- Then, use an edge slicker or sandpaper to smooth out the edges and make them look neat.

Step 4: Sew the Uppers

- Now, it's time to sew the upper pieces together. Use a waxed thread and a saddle stitch to sew the pieces together, starting from the back seam.

- Ensure that the stitching is tight and secure and the seam is flat and smooth.

Step 5: Make the Sole

- While the upper is being sewn, prepare the sole by cutting it out from the sole material.

- Ensure that the pattern of the sole matches the upper perfectly and sand down any rough edges.

Step 6: Attach the Sole

- Once the upper is sewn together, it's time to attach the sole. First, apply contact cement to both the sole and the upper's bottom edges.

- Allow the cement to dry until it becomes tacky to the touch.

- Then, press the sole onto the upper, ensuring that it is aligned properly and flat.

Step 7: Stitch the Sole

- To secure the sole, stitch it to the upper using a saddle stitch.

- Ensure that the stitching is tight and secure and the sole is securely attached.

Step 8: Apply Rubber Cement

- For added durability, apply rubber cement to the stitching on both the upper and the sole.

- Allow the rubber cement to dry completely to waterproof the stitching and protect it from wear and tear.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

- Once the moccasins are finished, you can add some finishing touches, such as adding decorative lacing or beadwork.

- Make any adjustments or modifications as needed to ensure the moccasins fit comfortably and securely on your feet.

Your hand-crafted hard sole moccasins are now ready to wear! Enjoy the comfort and durability of your custom-made footwear.