How much leather do I need for moccasins?

[Topknot]

I have decided to attempt to make me a pair of moccasins. I have a how to book on the way. The synopsis says that it shows how to make several styles. I have been looking at brain tanned leather and was wondering if any of you gents know how much leather by the square foot that I will need ? To keep it simple and to make sure that I buy enough, lets say I am going to make knee high moccasins. Also, what tools will I need and what type of thread?

                                                         Thanks in advance,

                                                                          topknot

[LRB]

 Make yourself a pattern from a piece of denim or heavy cloth, and then you will know.

[David R. Pennington]

I made mine from an good sized elk hide and if my feet were smaller I might have had enough left over for another pair. Remember to keep in mind the soles should be laid out in the center of the back where the thickest leather is. Deer or elk hide will stretch some after you wear them a while and they get wet. I made mine so I could get  wool liners in them. I have worn them deer hunting and was amazed at how much more quietly I can walk. Surprisingly they are more comfortable than I imagined with wool liners and wool stockings my feet were warm even when wet, (and they will get wet).  I do a lot of walking in the woods in warmer weather barefoot. As I get older shoes hurt my feet. I have done a lot of hiking and deer hunting barefoot. Snow is not too bad in warmer weather 29-32 degrees, but frosty meadows and icy streams make my arthritic joints ache a little.

[Topknot]

Thanks Lrb and Davidr , I have been looking at the brain tanned leather on ebay and they list each item by the square foot. What I specificly need to know at this time is how many square feet of leather do I need to buy to make me a pair of moccasins?

                                       Thanks,

                                                   topknot

[LRB]

  You might want to wait until you get your book. It should tell you what you need. I looked at the site. IMO, you will need to buy a small to medium hide, and use the left over for other projects. Better more, than not enough. If you are looking for instructions on correct type mocs, I don't think you will find anything in any of the books offered there.

[Topknot]

Thanks LRB, You were spot on about not finding much information in   the moccasin book. Sure it shows ten or twelve types of moccasins and less than perfect instructions on how to build them. I did learn that most style sfrom the eastern U.S. had soft soles, while the southwest versions had hard rawhide soles. It told me nothing about how much leather it would take for each style moccasins.Does anyone here know where I could obtain the information that I seek? This is my first time on trying to make moccasins and any and all information would be helpful.

                                                                          Thanks,

                                                                                             topknot

[RAT]

Keep in mind that buying leather is not like buying fabric. You're not buying buy the yard, or even by the square foot. You're buying by the whole hide. Since animals come in different sizes, sellers use rough square foot measurements simply for the purpose of pricing. Depending on how the hide was dressed, some of the square footage isn't really of a usable size/shape other than for making laces.

My advice... always buy the largest hide you can. You'll always use the extra for something. Also, generally speaking, the larger the hide the thicker it is which helps when making moccasins.

[T*O*F]

What size are your feet?  How fat are your legs?

Moccasins are made by placing your foot on the leather and tracing around it, then adding a prescribed distance around that outline to achieve the upper body of the moc depending on its style.  Making knee length mocs require additional leather depending on whether they will be wrapped and tied, or will be slip ons like Minnetonkas.

These things are all variables which pertain only to your body, thus there is no pat answer.  Make a pair out of an old blanket and make them tight.  This will allow you to use the lower moc as a liner in your leather ones.  Measure how much blanket material you use and add some for waste.