Purchase high quality buckskin or elkhide. It needs to be well tanned and thick, with no holes, no tears, or other flaws. It is best if it is smoked or waterproofed. Place your foot down on the hide and make a tracing of your foot with the awl.

Draw up the hide from the bottom and around the sides of your foot, mark with the awl, and cut the hide along the lines you have marked. Sew along a central seam starting with a puckered stitch at the toe and running along the upper instep.

Cut out a large "U-shaped" piece of hide that will serve as your vamp. Attach this vamp to the top of your moccasin from foot to toe.

Decorate your moccasins with beadwork. Most moccasins were plain for everyday use, but some moccasins, especially marriage moccasins, were often completely covered with beadwork.