SandSquid Report post Posted July 31, 2012 (edited) So, I acquired two #1 Quality,3-XL, open skinned, heavy Northern skunk pelts and a Classic Fur Hat pattern from http://www.glacierwear.com Found the proper size pattern. Photo-copied the pattern and cut out my templates: Cut out the liner sides and top. After I stitched the liner sides together, I tacked the top in place: Sewed it all up nice and snug w/ my REX industrial walking foot sewing machine. (Luke will note the latest vendor of that particular machine ;-) I must admit, it is the first time I've used it on leather with _any_ degree of success. I'm thinking I should get some of those special square profile leather needles some-day... The liner fits my noggin really well. I'm able to slip my index finger between my forehead and the liner and it's "just snug". Hopefully everything will continue to work itself out, once I start work on the fur outer portions...? Edited July 31, 2012 by SandSquid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted July 31, 2012 (edited) Well, sadly everything did not continue to work itself out, once I started working on the fur portions... When I started laying out the cutting-pattern and looking at the stripes in the fur itself, I could not find a way to get the three pieces cut out of the two pelts and have it look appealing to me. I could have "made it work" with what I had, but it would not have been what I wanted, so I resolved to myself, that I'm just going to have to buy a third pelt to make it the way I want it. I did get the crown and what will become the right side cut out, and I'm very pleased with them. I'm just going to have to go back to glacierwear and get one more pelt to finish the right side the way I want. Edited July 31, 2012 by SandSquid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted July 31, 2012 Looking good. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGGUNDOCTOR Report post Posted July 31, 2012 Now you need a couple more to make matching slippers (with tails of course). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted July 31, 2012 I could not find a way to get the three pieces cut out of the two pelts and have it look appealing to me. <snip> I'm just going to have to go back to glacierwear and get one more pelt to finish the right side the way I want. Just ordered two more skunk pelts, so I'll have plenty of extra. Now I just need to wait until it gets here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted August 2, 2012 Got teh two new pelts in... Cudos for the speedy delivery. The beagle aproves: Sadly, there are quite a few holes in the pelts: Granted these were #2 Qulaity, but I never expected, not have I ever recieved flaws this bad in a #2 quality pelt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted August 2, 2012 Got teh two new pelts in... Cudos for the speedy delivery. The beagle aproves: Sadly, there are quite a few holes in the pelts: Granted these were #2 Qulaity, but I never expected, not have I ever recieved flaws this bad in a #2 quality pelt. BARGE CEMENT WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted August 2, 2012 Got teh two new pelts in... Cudos for the speedy delivery. The beagle aproves: Sadly, there are quite a few holes in the pelts: Granted these were #2 Qulaity, but I never expected, not have I ever recieved flaws this bad in a #2 quality pelt. BARGE CEMENT WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND..... Barge cement is exactly what I was told to use for repairing a fur hat for a re-enactment group--only mine is coyote in this case. I spent quite a bit of time speaking with a great leatherworker during Frontier Days here in Cheyenne, and asking for his help in repairing and fixing this absolutely scary coyote. He told me to pull the holes gently closed, and glue the hide side with a patch of barged buckskin--it will make a patch that will be invisible from the fur side, but strong and flexible on the inside. He also suggested barging a buckskin patch at the tail, at the join of the tail and body, or tail and hat, as it will be the weakest point and will be prone to ripping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted August 5, 2012 (edited) OK, well.... I got to cutting and pinning and sewing. What a P.I.T.A it was keeping all that fur out of the seams! But I got it done: and when it's turned out, it looks exactly the way I wanted it to. the top/front: the side: Edited August 5, 2012 by SandSquid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted August 5, 2012 Nice effect on the striping across the crown and around the sides. Is the hat "tailed"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted August 5, 2012 Nice effect on the striping across the crown and around the sides. that effect is what cause me to have to buy a third pelt, but it's what I wanted. Is the hat "tailed"? I have three tails, and face, but I'm still undecided about puting one of them on or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted August 5, 2012 It looks really neat. I can see why it was worth the wait on the 3rd pelt. Well, you can always pin the tail or face on with a safety pin stuck through a bit barged leather, or with a few thin stitches where they won't show, and see what you think about them for a couple of days. You did such a nice job. If this coyote I'm working on comes out looking 1/5 as nice as your skunks, I'll be very happy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted August 5, 2012 Or stick it on with an old fashioned 8" long hat pin Seriously, though, very nice hat. Just don't get caught in the dark with some dogs chasing you! Carry super-soaker with some nasty stuff in it. CTG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
