Native American Moccasins

Book excerpt: First published in 1969, this expanded third edition is an excellent reference for both collectors and craftspeople. Detailed instructions for measuring, patternmaking, fitting, and construction guide the crafts worker in producing a wide variety of authentic Native American footwear that's tailored to each individual's foot. Readers are provided with a fascinating overview of the history of indigenous footwear in North America and an in-depth Introduction to rawhide, leather, and buckskin by G. D. Wood. Patterns for 28 moccasin types covering over 30 tribes - including the Assiniboine (Alberta/Manitoba), Kootenai (British Columbia), and Yellowknives (Northern Territories) of Canada - are featured along with new instructions for making Plains hard-sole, Northern Plains soft-sole, and Cherokee/Southeastern-style moccasins. Also included is a brief history of the tribes, additional resources, and website references. Forty-one full-color photographs accompany the patterns, along with 22 historic period photos of camp life, tanning hides, individual chiefs, and more.