Purple chaps

[Mulesaw]

I helped my daughter make a set of chaps. 

We used the old Tandy free pattern to make a set of shotgun chaps. The leather was something I bought at a sale without a distinct use in mind. 
The patterns was pretty easy to follow, and she wears the chaps on a regular basis as a regular garment (fashion).

We made the yokes out of the same leather ad the rest of the chaps, Laura liked that they matched, but I think that for the next pair of chaps I'll try to make the yokes stand out a bit more.

All the sewing was done on my old patcher.

Laura posing with her chaps.

Me trying to figure out the plans.

A temporary break caused by a newfoundland on the leather and a labradoodle puppy being provocative.

As soon as the dogs left - the work could continue.. 

[Dwight]

Don't be bashful about dressing them up . . . 

This was my pair up until I quit riding.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Dwight]

And if you really want to go for it . . . 

Take a look at these . . . 

May God bless, 

Dwight

[jrdunn]

Mulesaw, Something I have done for just a little "contrast" is make the yoke flesh side out (assuming the color is struck through).  Most of my chaps and my customer's are generally bling free as the are usually working chaps.  One more idea particularly on the Tandy pattern, most people need the inseam higher. On some people, especially "low waisted ladies", the crotch area hangs halfway to the knee.  It is a small thing but makes a big difference on a "custom" look versus "off the shelf".  One other pointer, if you can orient your pattern so the outside of the leg runs along the back, it will usually make the most noticable part of the chap more consistent in appearance and stretch with less wrinkles.  The other edge goes behind the outside and is less visible.  Good work.  JM2C,  Jim

Edited March 7, 2022 by jrdunn

[Mulesaw]

@Dwight I can see that I shouldn't be afraid of adding a bit of ornamentation. But us Scandinavians are a bit afraid of things that stand out. That is also why Scandinavian furniture look so much like Shaker furniture. 

The good thing is that my daughter has received so many compliments from people when she has been wearing the chaps that she just might be willing to make a set with a bit more bling the next time. 
Your chaps look really good I think!

 

[Mulesaw]

@jrdunn  Hi Jim
Thanks for the good suggestions. I have to admit that besides it is the first pair of chaps I have made, it is also the first pair of chaps I have seen except on films, It seems as no one over here uses chaps for riding. So I just followed the Tandy pattern blindly.

Turning the flesh side out on the yoke makes a lot of sense, it will stand out just  a bit more without too much bling effect. It is actually one of the things I regret most about the chaps. Since the shape of the yoke is kind of dramatic with lots of curves and points etc. But no one gets to see it because it just blends in with the rest of the chaps.

I also see what you mean about the inseam.  I purchased the Tandy rodeo chap pack, so I'll try to see if they need to be made higher in the inseam too, or if it is just this free pattern that needs it.

I never thought about orienting the pattern the other way. I was just trying get as little waste as possible. Which was kind of not needed as the leather was  bought at a sale, and I think I paid like 15$ for the piece. I have to admit that I would much rather have had wrinkle free legs instead of saved 2$ worth of leather that I probably won't need anyway. 

This is further proof of how good this community is! Sound advice from all who chimes in. 

Brgds

Jonas

[chuck123wapati]

those came out really nice indeed. I'm more of a plain dresser myself.   I love those dogs, i have had four labs in my day they will always be in my heart.

[Mulesaw]

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

those came out really nice indeed. I'm more of a plain dresser myself.   I love those dogs, i have had four labs in my day they will always be in my heart.

Thanks, I have never tried to wear chaps, I am a bibbed overall type, and that works for me (no need to change something that works just fine)

I love dogs too, there is just so much personality in them, and who am I to say that they can't lay down on the leather? 
Our youngest son said some really wise words a couple of years back when our old Newfoundland passed away, and we were getting a new puppy. I think he was maybe 10 or 11 at that time. He said something along the lines of that since we outlive our dogs we could choose which dogs we wanted to get. But a dog doesn't have that possibility, it only gets one chance of a family, so we are obliged to make sure that the dog has as good a family as possible, since it can't call quits and go to another family to see if it is any better. 

I have often thought that it was really deep for a kid that age, and true too. So I do my best to make sure that the dogs will have as good a life as possible.

 

[TomE]

18 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

I helped my daughter make a set of chaps. 

Turned out great! Maybe a farrier's apron is in your future?

[jrdunn]

6 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

He said something along the lines of that since we outlive our dogs we could choose which dogs we wanted to get. But a dog doesn't have that possibility, it only gets one chance of a family, so we are obliged to make sure that the dog has as good a family as possible, since it can't call quits and go to another family to see if it is any better. 

Wise words indeed, no matter your age.

I'm no against "bling".  It just doesn't suit me.  I'm kinda plain.  I think the pictures Dwight posted are rodeo chaps.  They are intended to get your(and the judges') attention at a distance of 30 to 100 yards, or meters for the more enlightened.  That much decoration may seem a little overwhelming up close.  JM2C

Your daughter may be starting a new trend!  More power to her.

Sprinfield Leather did a 3 part Youtube video about making chaps.  It really is pretty good.  I don't think they addressed the inseam/outseam issue but I'm not sure.  Just measure the outseam( the distance from where you want the top of the yoke(usually just below the jeans belt area) to how low you want them to hang. Many people like them to drag the floor.).  Then measure the inseam(crotch to the same place. floor?)  The difference is the "rise".  I usually make the rise 1"-2" more than the difference.  You don't want it to bind up when walking, squatting or sitting.  I usually let the person being fitted hold the crotch end of the tape.  That way no one gets the wrong idea, especially my wife!  SLC addresses fitting the thigh and knee areas pretty well in their videos.  I apologize for the length and hope I didn't "overexplain" too much.  Here is a link: