I've decided to make a variant of the Chitimacha moccasin for the lower section of my boots/mukluks, although I'm still working out exactly what to do for the top section that wraps around the legs. While working on the pattern, I’ve come up against a problem I experienced before while making the moccasins. It seems the first pattern I made for the boots is much smaller than I expected it to be. I’m using a completely different book this time for the pattern and instructions but have encountered this same issue again. My conclusion is that one of the following is happening:
Luckily, I was smart this time and tried to test-fit my foot into the pattern after I’d cut it out instead of waiting until after I’d transferred and cut it out of leather like I did with the moccasins. In my defense, the moccasins were the first pair of shoes I tried making so we’ll pretend that’s a valid excuse for those being too small. For this pair, I’m going to be making a prototype pair out of duck cloth once the pattern seems to fit correctly so I don’t spend a bunch of money on leather and then butcher it. I think this multi-step path, while more time-consuming, is going to lead to a much better end product. Plus, I’ll have a pair of casual boots to go with my nicer leather ones if it all goes well. Win win!
- I am really bad at following patterns and measuring things
- The people who wrote the books are really bad at writing pattern books
- I have weird feet
Luckily, I was smart this time and tried to test-fit my foot into the pattern after I’d cut it out instead of waiting until after I’d transferred and cut it out of leather like I did with the moccasins. In my defense, the moccasins were the first pair of shoes I tried making so we’ll pretend that’s a valid excuse for those being too small. For this pair, I’m going to be making a prototype pair out of duck cloth once the pattern seems to fit correctly so I don’t spend a bunch of money on leather and then butcher it. I think this multi-step path, while more time-consuming, is going to lead to a much better end product. Plus, I’ll have a pair of casual boots to go with my nicer leather ones if it all goes well. Win win!