The person who asked me to make them had given me an old one to cut up as a pattern, although he had a number of adjustments and do-dads he wanted changed for the new pair. Hurray for that! He came over today to try it on and was impressed. So I will make the other one tomorrow. He actually wants two pairs, but I want him to wear the first pair for a while so I can make sure nothing falls apart. I am also making him two pairs of mittens.
My fingers are aching because I am using home-smoked moose hide that is quite thick. Trying to push the needle through the layers is a killer. Hurray for my thimble and masking tape! I wrap two of my fingers with masking tape for when I pull the sinew tight. If I don't, I end up cutting into my skin.
My husband and his sexy leg modeling the moccasin:
7 comments:
Nice work! Have you asked any traditional sewers if they have any tricks for sewing through moosehide? Maybe there are special needles (or awls!) for it?
Yep, I have the special needles and everything! I am just a wuss :)
is that it or there is more? i hv never seen one of those before so i am waiting to see your final product.
you know for those really thick part, if you hv a pair of pliers you can pull the needle out to the other side without hurting yourself :-)
one of the tricks I learned was to use a really large/leather needle on a sewing machine and without thread and the stitch size really spaced out I would run a bead of "stitches" where I needed to sew. That way I had at least holes in one thickness and they were/are uniform.
can i post a link to your blog, about the mitts? mushers would love the warmth and the prices.
i learned, take a triangle peice of factory moose hide (only this it good for :P) and cut a slot in the wide end, wrap around your finger and pull tigh on the hide, then the sinew does not cut your fingers up. always reajusting it, but cut sew a reall long one to over your finger, but I just use the scraps for this.
Hello Yukonmusher!!
Please do make the link! I have a couple more months of taking orders, then I will be busy with the baby.
Thanks for the tidbit on the piece of hide! I will have to try that out.
Aida- I am finishing them tonight, so I will post up a picture. That is all there is. You put a sorel liner inside and then use really long laces to wrap around and tie them. I will try and a get a picture of them on the owner all done up.
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