How to Make Iroquois Moccasins
The Iroquois were a proud and noble people that lived in the northeast section of the United States. Fiercely warlike with their enemies, they were an educated and democratic nation that worked together with their four sister tribes. Together, they made up the Five Nations, and this alliance flourished in pre-colonial days and all the way through the early 1800's. The descendants of these people still live in the same places today, although on much smaller reservations. The moccasin was the shoes of choice for the Iroquois. Soft enough to hug the foot and light enough to not be a burden, it was just enough protection from the elements to make the wearer more capable of running, climbing, and walking over a variety of ground.
Things You'll Need
- Buckskin or elkhide
- Heavy duty scissors
- Heavy duty thread
- Beads (optional)
- Awl
Instructions
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1
Purchase high quality buckskin or elkhide. It needs to be well tanned and thick, with no holes, no tears, or other flaws. It is best if it is smoked or waterproofed.
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2
Place your foot face down on the hide and make a tracing of your foot with the awl.
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3
Draw up the hide from the bottom and around the sides of your foot, mark with the awl, and cut the hide along the lines you have marked.
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4
Sew along a central seam starting with a puckered stitch at the toe and running along the upper instep.
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5
Cut out a large "U-shaped" piece of hide that will serve as your vamp. This was an Iroquois tradition which was usually decorated with beadword once the moccasins were completed. Attach this vamp to the top of your moccasin from foot to toe.
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6
Decorate your moccasins with beadwork. Most moccasins were plain for everyday use, but some moccasins, especially marriage moccasins, were often completely covered with beadwork.
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Tips & Warnings
Take the time to do some research by looking up books with lots of photos of Native American moccasins. Try visiting a museum where you can see some examples firsthand.
Resources
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Comments
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akblkbear
Oct 27, 2009
Iroquois is'nt a tribe and it has'nt been the 5 nations since 1722 when the Tuscarora joined making it the 6th nation. Your use of the word WERE makes it sound as if we are extinct, no longer noble and proud. Iroquois isn't just the six nations confederacy either... it is a linguistic group that also includes the cherokee and huron and others. There were variences in each nations' moccasins but also a base commonality, and not just in our moccasins but in our lifestyles as well. And our moccasins were never completely covered in beadwork. Beadwork didn't really start happening till the 1800's and until then it was moose hair embroidery and quillwork... and never totally covering a moccasin... usually only the vamp and often the cuff. I think you might be confusing our moccasins with the those of the great lakes nations.
