Braintan Buckskin wardrobe

[your_comforting_company]

Dressed in chamois soft braintan buckskin from head to toe. Just wanted to share with you guys, a few pictures of me in full buckskin. It got cool enough last night that the wife wanted a jacket to put on, and I was a little cool myself so I decided to see just how warm I'd be in buckskin.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

[Justin Case]

So,, were you warm ?

[crashdive123]

You do great work YCC.

[nell67]

I agree with crash,YCC!

[gryffynklm]

Nice

Its one thing to make buckskin clothing, but tanning the hides as well, that is a whole other level of well done.

[Camp10]

Nice work YCC! Like JC, I am curious about the warmth as well.

[your_comforting_company]

Even sleeveless, I was quite warm. Buckskin breaks the wind with just the right breathability. It's like having a second skin.. well.. that's kinda what it is. While the wife and her friend were bundling up, I was nice and comfortable.
It's hard to explain how it feels.. It's like the buckskin knows right where the comfort zone is (unless it's hot weather lol).
In winter, during hunting season, I would wear the shawls as an extra layer and it feels warmer than even my thermals. In warmer weather you sweat in it and the wet buckskin cools you off. Amazing material.
I like the shoes best because it's almost like being barefoot.. you can feel the earth beneath your feet but not the thistles and briars.

[Rick]

What a really neat skill. There are a lot of artisans on here and you are certainly in that niche. Great job as usual.

[your_comforting_company]

I figured this might be a good place for a little bit about primitive buttoning. Sure some could have been carved of wood, but you know me.. I want it to be all deer. I saved all the hooves from last year, and finally got around to putting the finishing touches on my pants yesterday. Here's how it went.

There were no zippers back in the day, so I decided to go with "buttonfly" pants. They also needed some belt loops because as you wear them they stretch a little. Some tweaks were in order.

I laid the pants out flat and pinned them together so I could decide where I wanted my buttons. Of course you need to start with the buttonhole location, then attach the button where it fits nicely in the hole.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Then I cinch stitched the ends of the buttonhole to keep it from tearing.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Slip the strap end of the button through the hole, add a dab of hide glue (or elmers) to keep it where you want it, then a simple parallel stitch like you would use on any normal button.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Looks like this when buttoned
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Ok.. got a little ahead of myself there.. How do you make the button? Easy! I'm using the dew claws, here.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

You may remember my backward thinking primitive drill chuck. I use it quite a lot. Here it is again, but this time with a modern drill bit! Anyone carry drill bits in their bags? I sure as heck do!
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

It works really well with the floating hand drill technique. Good practice, not only for drilling, but for firemaking too!
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

With holes drilled, you just need a short thong for attaching the button. Make a small slit in one end of the thong, to make a sort of "eye".
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Just as stated above, Make your buttonhole first, slip the button through, temporarily attach it, sew it up, and you're good to go! In this picture you will see the simple belt loops. I only attached 5 which seemed sufficient. I know I said no "fringe or frills" but I put these on anyway. Might still take them off, I was just trying it out. Sorry, I'm no supermodel!
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

This is as natural as I can make it. 100% deer. The cloth material (buckskin), the thread (sinew), buttons (dew claws), softening agent (deer brains), and tan (wood smoke).

[hunter63]

I say they were looking good just the way they are.

Outstanding job, my friend, you have to be one of the few people I know that can truely produce your "skins" the old way.

[Rick]

I think you did an outstanding job. Anyone that can slip the word "thong" into a tutorial deserves recognition. You really did a great job!!!

[rwc1969]

Impressive! Like the all natural approach.

[crashdive123]

Looks fantastic. Is that a modern belt?

[kyratshooter]

I am going to be a history teacher party pooper.

In this particular case it may be easy but the cave men did not do it.

Buttons were not used as clothing fasteners untill late Roman times and the button hole did not appear in Europe untill 1200ad and was not known by the Native Americans untill Columbus arrived.

Don't ask me how they fastened their flys, I have no idea. I think they were more into the drawstring sweatpants and toga thing in Europe and breechcloths in America.

Nice hides though.

The belt buckles date back to bronze age times, so "modern" is the same as "ancient".

[canid]

i don't think i'd poked my head into this thread before, and i'm glad i now have.

Congrats on some fine work YCC.

[Batch]

Looks fantastic. Is that a modern belt?

Nope he made it from silver belt buckle snake...

[hunter63]

Y'all can pick if you want, but I know what work went into that outfit, and I can say that "That's a very fine job"!
Ycc, don't pay any attention to them, they are just jealous.........LOL

[nell67]

Y'all can pick if you want, but I know what work went into that outfit, and I can say that "That's a very fine job"!
Ycc, don't pay any attention to them, they are just jealous.........LOL

Yes,I am jealous!!! Those are some nice duds YCC!

[your_comforting_company]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I did put a lot of work into it. Might not look like much, but they feel GREAT. Soft, stretchy, lightweight. Can't wait till it cools off enough to wear them around!

What I didn't do, is try to make it "historically accurate" to any degree. Just natural. To be historically accurate, loincloths and leggings were standard fare in my area. They didn't have 'flys'.
During the summer the natives mostly went naked because it's so dang hot here (we still have about 2 more months of "summer" lol). Sorry, ladies, there will be no pictures of my "summer outfit" that is historically accurate

Crash, That is my everyday belt. I'm working some scraps down into a nice woven pattern. Don't know about stretch till I try it, but I made a small buckskin rope the other day that doesn't stretch much at all (I twisted it pretty tight), so as time permits, I'll be working on that too. The trick will be getting it to lay flat, I think.
Gonna try to fashion the buckle out of bones.

I appreciate the encouragement guys. I don't have a lot of folks around me to share stuff like this with. It feels good to be able to share.
If I can help anyone with a project like this, Just let me know!

[Ted]

I know where your comming from with the, no one to share such things with. Thats why I love this site so much! (Hey there's more freaks like meeeee!)...LOL

Really great job bro!