How to Make a Boot

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

This is a brief tutorial on how to make a simple, moccasin-style boot out of suede with rawhide laces. This footwear is appropriate for costumes representing the Middle Ages, and useful for walking silently. The nice thing about these boots is that they're not rigidly sized. If your feet swell, or if someone with a half-size larger or smaller wants to borrow them, they're easily loosened/tightened to fit. You can buy professionally-made boots online, but if you're in a hurry or just want that added level of authenticity, give this easy pattern a try.

Steps

1
Take measurements. First, you'll need to take measurements of your naked or socked foot (if you plan to wear socks with the boots on). Measure in the unit that's most familiar to you; inches are used in these examples and explanations. You need to decide at this point how tall the boot will be.*toe to heel*widest width (ball of foot)*narrowest width (heel of foot)*toe to widest point*toe to top of boot (following the contour of your leg)*heel to top of boot*circumference of your calf at widest point (varies with height of boot)
2
Make a template using your measurements. Trace it onto an old t-shirt or inexpensive fabric.
- Use this blank template to get an idea for the shape.
- Fill in the measurements and adjust the template as shown in this example for boots set to be about 9.5" tall.
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3
Try it on and make adjustments. Cut out the template and try it on, holding it together using safety pins, to see how the fit will be. Trim it for a more contoured fit if necessary.
4
Cut the final material. Lay the adjusted template over the final material (e.g. suede) and cut carefully.
5
Make the lace holes. Given that lace holes are an inch apart, multiply the number of lace holes on ONE SIDE of your boot times 10 to determine how much lacing you will need. If you make 10 lace holes each an inch apart, you need 90 to 100 inches (228.6 to 254.0 cm) of lacing to tie your boots. And that's just for the front of one boot! The back should take a bit less, since there's no slope, so let's say 8 holes x 9 = 72". For two boots, you'll need about 344" (~29 ft.) of rawhide laces to make these work! Fortunately, rawhide is cheap and comes commonly in 10 meter (~33 ft) spools.
- You can cut down on the rawhide consumption by using a straight-up lace and knot (instead of the criss-cross) for the back of the boot, or making your lace holes farther apart.
- You may also need more or less depending on how much gap you leave between the side flaps, the height of the boot, etc.
- Beware of compromising here though -- laces set further apart mean less stability, looser seams, and gaps in material (through which bugs/dirt may enter) etc.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I make rain boots?

Community Answer

Follow this process, but rather than leather or other material, use a waterproof material like rubber or plastic.

Warnings

When poking holes for laces, be sure you poke through same side of the material on both sides -- preferably from what will be the outside of the boot to the inside.

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BE CAREFUL with the sharp tools you'll be using. This should go without saying, but you'll be using sharp instruments to poke holes in thick, sturdy material. Take care you don't poke holes in your hands as well.

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Things You'll Need

Sufficient suede (varies with boot size)
Sufficient rawhide for laces (also varies with size)
A good pair of scissors
Chalk or other non-permanent marking utensil
An awl or other pointed tool for making lace holes
Flexible measuring tape
Hard rubber / thick leather or other sole material (Epoxy or resin may also be used, but is less authentic.)
Glue / rivets for attaching sole