want to make a buckskin shirt

[Tengu]

after being badly influenced by Grey Owl

But where do I get the materials??

 

[sasquatch]

I've always wanted to do one too, it's the price of buckskin that puts me off. I don't have the time or space to do hides myself either...Tandy Leather have buckskin and similar but it's never cheap for the required amount.

 

[Andy T]

lots of leather for sale on ebay

 

[Matt.S]

As Mrs Beaton woudl say, first catch your deer.

Most deer-stalkers bin the hide, bones and sinews. Befriend some and you'll probably get more than you can handle.

 

[Everything Mac]

quite a few guides about.
as for materials - perhaps talk to some one near you who shoots deer?

 

[Tengu]

I see

any other materials could be used?

I have a piece of pigskin and its very nice

 

[jojo]

There is one video from youtube about making one. I have some pigskin and I would think pigskin would be suitable for a shirt as it's thin and very strong. Possibly look up on Paleoplanet too, I seem to recall they are some tutorial on making shirts there. Have fun and let's see some pictures! The guy from the vid suggests goat skin for warmer weather.

 

[Tengu]

and how much I would need?

Bear in mind Im a big person

 

[jojo]

Hard to say Tengu. You could try first to make a pattern that fits you out of pape/masking tape r or some cheap fabric so you can get an idea of how many square feet you'll need.

 

[Cromm]

What I've read is if you are using deer you would need 4 skins. 1 for front,1 for back and 1 for each arm. But it doesn't say how big the deer are....

 

[Tengu]

how about this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370452364206&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Cromm]

I think if you work out the size of the shirt you are after then they could work. I know that the braintan/smoked skin become wetproof from the smoking not to sure if the one's you are looking at would be. That would be an issue to me if I wanted to use it in the UK.