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Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Title:The Hunting Notesfile
Notice:Registry #7, For Sale #15, Success #270
Moderator:SALEM::PAPPALARDO
Created:Wed Sep 02 1987
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1561
Total number of notes:17784

727.0. "Making clothing from game hides" by DECWET::HELSEL (Legitimate sporting purpose) Wed Aug 15 1990 17:58

    I have a few dozen deer hides laying around the house and my wife has
    volunteered to make me a jacket out of them.  She then went searching
    in stores for a pattern that would look good in deer hide, but there
    was a pretty slim selection of patterns that would work.
    
    Does anyone know of a source of patterns for game hides or leather
    clothing?
    
    Has anyone done this?
    
    It seems to me that Fra was saying something a few years ago about
    making buttons out of deer antlers.  Were you making the buttons for
    deer hide clothing?
    
    If I can find a pattern, she says I can have my new jacket in time for
    the fall season.
    
    /brett
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727.1KNGBUD::LAFOSSEWed Aug 15 1990 18:2611
    My Mother in law used the antler buttons on wool sweaters that she 
    knitted... actually look great... she used the "fatigue" pattern with 
    the necessary number of buttons, came out great.
    
    deer hides....  don't know of any suppliers, but would think that the 
    muzzleloader type shops would have some info on this kinda thing.
    
    Deer hide clothing in time for the hunting season???  all you need is 
    a rack to go along with them  8^)
    
    Fra
727.2"kids, don't try this at home"BPOV02::J_AMBERSONWed Aug 15 1990 19:115
    Hey Brett,
    
      You gonna wear your new coat on your next hunting trip?
    
    Jeff
727.3ahhh, go sniff your lab.DECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeWed Aug 15 1990 19:5217
    Yes, I intend to dye it blaze orange.
    
    No.  I'm not going to wear it in the woods hunting with a white
    hankercheif in my back pocket.  
    
    I just want to wear it to animal rights group conventions to show how
    I don't waste a scrap.  I tie flies out of the tail hair too.
    
    C'mon gimme a break.  Does anybody know where to get patterns?  
    
    Mark waters is a resourceful guy.  How about it.
    
    The Black Powder shop idea is a good one.
    
    /brett
    
    
727.4SA1794::CHARBONNDin the dark the innocent can't seeWed Aug 15 1990 19:541
    Check out the muzzle-loaders magazines, too. 
727.5I can't think of the name...DELNI::SOUTHWORTHWed Aug 15 1990 20:157
    There is a company called something Eagle that sells patterns for
    different types of early american/frontier type clothing.  Some gun
    shops or large hunting stores carry them.  All of the patterns assume
    that the hides are tanned.
    
    Ray
    
727.6Well...CSC32::WATERSThe Agony of DeleteWed Aug 15 1990 23:0432
    Well, in Manitou Springs, Colorado there is a shop call "The Mountain Man."
    They have or can get paterns. Also any Tandy Leather shop has patterns
    to, that where I got a pattern for the capote, mountain man coat made from
    a Hudson Bay blanket, warmest coat ever made.  I think Tandy has more
    patterns, but they also cost more.
    
     The Muzzleloading club I was in had a box of patterns. When someone
    bought one and were finished with it they'd put it in the box. There
    was one of about everything in there. But, I'm not with the club
    anymore. Most of the guys had the gals make the clothing anyway.
    
    Use deer/elk antler for the buttons, specially if your going for the
    mountain man look. I cut them about ~1/4 inch thick. It's easy to
    put holes in the center for thread, that's the soft part. Only thing
    to watch for is the button hole sizes in the jacket, unless you find
    pieces on the antler the same diameter. If you use the same piece it
    will change on ya. Tandy also has, damn forgot the name, the thread
    made from intestine (real and fake) to use. (or have your squaw chew
    some up fer-ya.):-)
    
    Anything else you might want ?
    
    Mark
    
     
    The Mountain Man
    1001 Manitou Av. 
    Manitou Springs, Colorado  80829
    (719) 685-1458
    
    I think there is still a Tandy Leather here in town if you need
    information on them. Get their catalog.
727.7CSC32::SCHIMPFThu Aug 16 1990 13:2120
    Bret,
    
    Better yet, Try and find some literature on the Sioux Brain tanning 
    methods.  When tanning hides this way, it makes for a "Wonderful"
    Buckskin textured leather.  But it does take some work on ones part.  I 
    do have a copy/small book on it; and have tried it...Fantastic is all I 
    can say..About what Mark had too say,  I'm always in or out of that
    neck of the woods;  If you'd like, I can check on patterns and costs..
    And maybe even pick one up for you, and send it out.
    
    About, the brain tanning method; I don't know how squemish your wife is
    but, if she is....Give her some $$$ and send her shopping, because you
    have to boil brains into a paste, and the smell kinda reminds me of
    .....?????... I can't repeat what I'm thinking, but it does remind me
    of that..
    
    
    Jeff
    
    DTN: 592-7614
727.8I wish I had a boondoggle to CXO.DECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeFri Aug 17 1990 02:2817
    Tandy Leather?  Do you know what state/ area code it's located in?
    
    Gee, I never go to the Springs area.  If someone happens to into the 
    store and sees jacket patterns and prices, I'd be obliged if you pass
    them along.  I want to make a jacket, lined with a material that's not
    too thick..... something like inside of motorcycle leathers, only not
    in black.
    
    The Mountain Man.  Isn't that the shop that the guy that left DEC
    started?
    
    Jeff,  I already have the hides tanned.  If I didn't, I guess they'd
    be about ripe by now :-)
    
    /brett
    
    
727.9What style/type ya look'n for?CSC32::SCHIMPFFri Aug 17 1990 16:1213
    Bret,
    
    I talked with the people at the Mnt. Man; they don't have any patterns
    for jackets per sey...The question I couldn't answer was "what style,
    or year? of jacket were you interested in." Apparently there are a 
    couple of different types/styles of jackets depending on the era your
    interested in..
    
    Also, if a "green hide" is cured correclty it'll maintain
    indeffinatley.  I was being helpful...?
    
    
    Jeff
727.10try thisCSC32::WATERSThe Agony of DeleteFri Aug 17 1990 18:0421
    I thought Tandy was all over the US, guess not.
    
    Tandy Leather Co., (719)597-5582
    
    Well, while writting this I called Tandy, The lady said that they do
    have a basic catalog. She also said that their patterns or for shirts,
    pants, vests, and shoes/boots  no jacket. Most of it was in indian
    style.
    
    Another place you might try, Jerry's Leather Goods
                                 4965 So. Braodway
                                 Englewood, Co.  80110
                                 (303) 781-0121
    
    Their add says Cowhide, Deer, Elk, Buffalo, tools, patterns, horsetail,
    and horns. Area's largest selection of Moccasins, Knee highs and squaw
    boots, also patterns to make your own.
    
    Mark
    
    Mark
727.11nDECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeTue Aug 21 1990 15:5620
    Sorry Jeff, I try to get the hide into the tanners asap.  I didn't
    think they lasted long.  I just salt mine down and roll em up.
    
    Actually, I was thinking of a jacket of modern proportions.  I wasn't
    really thinking of anything Davey Crocket-like with the fringe.  I was
    just thinking of a common ordinary jacket pattern for leather.  
    
    Actually, I didn't think this would be so complicated.  I guess I'm
    wondering what everyone else does with their deer hides or do you all
    just keep them in the closet?  I know Dave Brown made a vest a couple
    years ago (looks great!) which is where I got the idea.  
    
    I think I'll try that place in CO mentioned in .10 since it seems to be
    the only lead.  I asked my wife if she heard of Tandy Leather and she
    said she hadn't.  Just because they're not in Boston and Seattle
    doesn't mean they're not world-wide :-)
    
    Thanks!
    
    /brett
727.12PARITY::KSBROWNTue Aug 21 1990 16:1611
    
    Bret -
    
    		Try Tandy Leather in Cheyenne Wyoming, the number is
    		307-635-3077.  They may have a catalog to send you.
    
    		I lived there a few years ago (F.E. Warren AFB) and 
    		used to buy things from Tandy in Cheyenne.
    
    		Good luck,
    				-Kendall
727.13Anticipated success.DECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeTue Aug 21 1990 16:1717
    I called Tandy Leather in CO and the man said he had just the thing. 
    The pattern he described costs $6.95, so I had him send me one.....
    and a catalog.  I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like.
    
    I asked him if they were national and he said yes and that there were
    two in Seattle.  I guess I was looking in the "Eastside" phone book and
    not the "City" phone book.  Oh well, I know where they are located for
    future reference.
    
    This notefile is really great.  It seems that I have received an offer
    from the Nashoba Sportmens' Club to participate in their running deer
    contest this year.  Isn't that great?  They want me to be sure to bring
    my new jacket.
    
    /brett
    
    p.s. I'll drop you a line when I get some time, Walt.
727.14check these places tooCSC32::WATERSThe Agony of DeleteTue Aug 21 1990 18:575
    You know if you didn't want the 1800 style jacket, a normal fabric
    store has all kinds of patterns.  Next time you might want to look
    there, just a thought.
    
    MW
727.15I triedDECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeWed Aug 22 1990 15:3910
    I went to a bunch of fabric stores with my wife (as much as I could
    take) but there were no patterns that looked suitable for leather.
    You can spend hours and hours looking for a jacket pattern.  I was
    pulling my hair out.  That's why I thought I'd put a note in here.
    I was sure someone would say, "Sure my wife used Simplicity pattern
    #508G."
    
    :-)
    
    /brett
727.16LEATHER SHOPSWFOVX8::CHANGThu Dec 13 1990 13:1713
    HI ROGER CHANG HERE
    
    	WE HAVE A LEATHER SHOP IN NORTHAMPTON MASS THAT MAKES COATS, HALTERS
    HATS ETC. THEY MUST HAVE PATTERNS THAT THEY GO BY I KNOW I SELL THEM MY 
    SKINS WHEN I AM LUCKLY ENOUGH TO GET A DEER OR BEAR. 
    
    THE NAME IS "TUNSTALL LEATHERS
    		238 BRIDGE STREET
    		NORHTAMPTON MASS (01060) SIP CODE ?
    		413-584-6009
    HOPE THIS HELPS
    HAPPY HUNTING
    ROGER
727.17Came out great!DECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeThu Dec 13 1990 14:3820
    I just thought I'd follow up on this.
    
    My wife did end up using the pattern we bought from Tandy Leather.  It
    came out great!!!  It fit perfect and looks great.  People ask about it
    all the time.  Friends asked where they could buy one.  
    
    It didn't come out with perfect seams etc, so it looks handmade.  To
    me, this makes it even better.  It doesn't look cheesey though.  
    
    We made the buttons from antlers and they give it that extra umph.
    My wife said she went through about 5 leather needles and almost killed
    the machine.  It still works though.
    
    Warning:  If you intend to set out to make one of these, make sure you
    have plenty of leather on hand.  It took the hides of 5 deer to
    complete and I'm only a 40 long!  I had to borrow a couple hides froma
    friend.  It could take me years to pay him back :-)
    
    /brett
    
727.18elk hideCSC32::G_ROBERTSwhen the bullet hits the boneWed Oct 30 1991 18:113
	Anybody in Colo want an elk hide?  Goes to the dump this weekend.

	Gordon
727.19what luckKNGBUD::LAFOSSEWed Oct 30 1991 18:506
    figures... 
    
    an opportunity to tan something and it's 2000 miles away...   shipping
    cost info anyone???  ;^)
    
    Fra
727.20WAHOO::LEVESQUEAlone is not a venture!Thu Oct 31 1991 10:251
 It'll probably cost you $10-12 to send it UPS...
727.21i'll pay the freight...KNGBUD::LAFOSSEThu Oct 31 1991 13:083
    Gordon, ship it ups....  !!!!
    
    Fra
727.22address pleaseCSC32::G_ROBERTSwhen the bullet hits the boneThu Oct 31 1991 13:449
RE:                     <<< Note 727.21 by KNGBUD::LAFOSSE >>>
                          -< i'll pay the freight... >-

>    Gordon, ship it ups....  !!!!
    
    Fra,

	EMAIL me you shipping address.