Edited to add: Due to alle the comments regarding the title of this instruction, I've changed the name to 'iron age shoes' which might be more historycally correct.
I learned to make these by using my own foot as a template. Therefore, all the measures given here are highly approximate. If your foot diverges a lot from mine (European size 39, long and narrow/slender), some sewing experience might come in handy. That said, there's no reason to be too specific in making these. As you can see, the 'laces' can be loosened or tightened to fit, and the basic idea is really very simple.
The photo here shows my own, good old shoes, made in 1997. I always use them with these thick, felted socks inside; to me, they're part of the shoe. They are soft, comfy and I simply love them. Based on my original 11 year old, several times altered, water damaged drawing, I have made a kind of template as a sort of guideline. You'll find it at the end of this tutorial. I had to scan it in two operations as it was so big, then paste the parts together on my computer, so this adds to the imperfection. You should go for the thick, black lines and not pay too much attention to the rest :)
Important: Look through all the photos before you start drawing!
I learned to make these by using my own foot as a template. Therefore, all the measures given here are highly approximate. If your foot diverges a lot from mine (European size 39, long and narrow/slender), some sewing experience might come in handy. That said, there's no reason to be too specific in making these. As you can see, the 'laces' can be loosened or tightened to fit, and the basic idea is really very simple.
The photo here shows my own, good old shoes, made in 1997. I always use them with these thick, felted socks inside; to me, they're part of the shoe. They are soft, comfy and I simply love them. Based on my original 11 year old, several times altered, water damaged drawing, I have made a kind of template as a sort of guideline. You'll find it at the end of this tutorial. I had to scan it in two operations as it was so big, then paste the parts together on my computer, so this adds to the imperfection. You should go for the thick, black lines and not pay too much attention to the rest :)
Important: Look through all the photos before you start drawing!
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A large piece of leather, about 2,5 - 3 millimeter thick.
X-acto knife or sharp scissors.
An awl or other tool to make holes in the leather.
Pen or pencil.
Ruler.
A cutting board (I use a wooden one).
X-acto knife or sharp scissors.
An awl or other tool to make holes in the leather.
Pen or pencil.
Ruler.
A cutting board (I use a wooden one).
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Anyway I did some research because the idea of anyone claiming ancient knowledge or craft as their personal intellectual property is extremely irksome to me.
The person who posted this instructable is not in violation of copyright law, nor is anyone who makes these shoes from this instructable to wear OR to sell, because its her particular pattern drawing that the MM lady has a copyright on.
Medieval Moccasins vs. Reality
Read all about this issue at http://tribalcostuming.tribe.net/thread/fb092514-2074-4df8-b4dc-364a8560e644
Making Ghillies
Tue, April 24, 2007 - 11:54 PM
...See, we could post pictures of the patterns we've made, but the lady at midieval moccasins is REALLY determined that her copyright extends to any type of pattern drawing made any way by anyone, of that whole kind of shoe, as well as any shoe like it...
Now, technically, the guy at the copyright office said what was in the file was a copy of her (medieval moccasins lady's) catalog...she insists to her lawyer that she sent in a copy of her pattern drawing, but copyright law only applies if we were to get a copy of THAT drawing, and made copies to sell. If you draw your own, it's called reverse engineering, and the lawyer giving classes on copyright laws told me that anyone can go get a thing, take it apart, make a copy of how it's made, and make them, and even sell them, and not violate the law.
Re: Making Ghillies
Wed, April 25, 2007 - 8:58 AM
You can copyright a specific pattern drawing (same as any other artistic drawing) but you cannot copyright the "look" or the functionality of clothing. The fashion knockoffs you see in Walmart and similar stores are perfectly legal.
If you make your own pattern and happen to recreate the exact look of Medieval Moccasins' ghillie and wear them or sell them, they can do nothing. If you take THEIR pattern drawing and post copies of their pattern drawing on your website causing them to lose sales of their pattern drawing because people can get it from you for free, they can invoke the copyright laws against you.
EXACTLY. I did what this guy did - traced my foot, made a pattern, made a tester, tweaked it... I put the tester on eBay, and got a cease and desist order with a demand for damages, etc from her lawyer. I talked to the guy at the copyright office too, and was told the same exact thing. Sadly, she had the money for a lawyer, (who seems very ignorant about copyright law, actually) and I didn't, and it's not like I don't make a million other things, so I dropped it. It was funny, but the lady lawyer looked at my page and was all friendly and impressed (her client IS a one trick pony, after all), but seemed confused that the copyright office would tell anyone anything, so the feeling wasn't mutual.
And actually, you could take their pattern, post it, etc and you aren't violating what she copyrighted, or there'd only be one brand of jeans, one type of car, etc. You just can't print a copy of her catalog.
What it comes down to is that she's a nasty bully and scares a lot of people away from doing anything remotely like hers because it's ALL she can do.
if she did not invent it then it is not hers to copyright.
but thats besides the point, these shoes are cool!!
I've been looking at different styles of minimalist running shoes, and found this instructable invaluable in my first efforts at making my own. I made a pair from a cheap floor mat (around $4 from lowes) because I didn't want to waste good material on freshman efforts. The laces I swiped from my chucks.
They ended up surprisingly comfortable for floormat shoes (where any comfort probably rates as surprising). with sock, the nerd factor skyrockets, but so does the genuine comfort. Do I have the moxie to rock this look? We'll see.
I made a simpler fan toe, and the result is a hybrid of this instructable and something like a BeNat shoe.
Next step, run in them a little to see if I can cripple myself with blisters, and then when I recover, start looking for a source of cheap or scavable leather. Current thinking is to paint one side with something like truck bed liner or some other paint-on tough and grippy material, and then make them soft-side in for more comfort.
-Ben
Put you in my gift guide for guys! Just thought I'd let you know :)
Anyone have any suggestions?
Also any suggestions of where and what to buy in the West Midlands (UK)?
im hungry now.....
I have yet to find this pattern of shoes associate with any Viking finds, but my research has been very limited.
Thanks
You want about a 1.5~2mm thick skin, it'll likely be cow hide. Deer skin is also good.
4~5oz is the weight per square foot, I'm guessing by the pictures, but it looks about 2mm to me. I'm over the pond in the UK , and you buy by the thickness and quality, not weight, so I'm not sure how that translates. So I'd get Dark natural tan 2mm and that'd cost me "x"pounds per foot.
If you use something thicker make sure it's flexible, and has a good feel, but isnt too stretchy. It's better to get something right than try to convince yourself you can fix it later. If you're hunting the bargin bins, be careful of anything that feels too stretchy/too soft for its thickness, this is likely because its from the belly and your shoes will stretch like nothing after youve worn them a few times. If the leather is thick enough though this shouldnt be a biggie.
If you get a decent piece of hide check the tan, look at cut the edge, if it is white then its been tanned with chromium salts, and should be good if it gets wet. If it's brown the whole way through then its likely to be a natural tan, and you will have to be careful how you dry the shoes if they get wet (no radiators, lying over heating vents, just airing). If unsure ask at the shop.
looking at the size of them, i'd say you'll need a piece roughly 3ft square all together, a little more is good. i dont know the size of your feet, so take out your templates with you and find what you need exactly: depending on the dealer they may let you buy a strip the width and length of 2 shoes :) (place near me is easy gong with stuff like that)
have fun mate :)
Garlin Neumann
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