Bear rug without felt?

[wisconsinteacher]

Has anyone done a bear rug without a felt backing?  I got a nice bear and would like to see pictures of different backings or no backing at all.  Thanks.

[Old Fart]

Are you too cheap to have it done right? That's usually why people ask about no backing!  If you want something different, find someone who can give you a buckskin border and backing, but be prepared to PAY for it.

[Mary Krueger (rugmaking)]

wisconsinteacher,

  Are you referring to the backing or the border? Most ruggers do not use felt for a backing, but it is commonly used for a scalloped border. Ruggers use a variety of fabrics for the backing. You most certainly can back a rug without having a felt border, I do them often for a few clients that prefer them that way. If you are mounting the head and stretching the body, it is best to have some type of backing on the rug to protect the leather for the life of the rug, but you do not need a border. The backing is not seen when the rug is displayed. As Old Fart stated, you can get a nice scalloped leather border which looks very classy, but does cost a bit more. I provide this service also.

Kind regards,
Mary

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Okay I was wrong.  It is the felt boarder that I don't care for.  I understand the need for backing.  Thanks Mary for clearing things up for me.  I would like a different boarder.

[Mary Krueger (rugmaking)]

wisconsinteacher,

  No problem, I thought you might be talking about the border. PM sent

[wisconsinteacher]

Any pictures of a leather boarder?

[James Marsico]

I worked for a shop in Alaska and we rugged alot of bears for  West German clients back in the 70's and they never wanted a border to show. They have  been the only hunters that I have known that have  ever ordered them done this way.

[Mary Krueger (rugmaking)]

Any pictures of a leather boarder?

The bobcat rug in my signature picture has a double leather border.

[Justin P.]

In our shop we have a  whole range of options.  From just tanning to a full blown rug and the range of mounts as well.  Customers like the price options.  We've run into more and more clients that don't like the borders.  I think it's because they've seen the "hot glue" rugs and don't realize what a quality proffesionally done rug looks like.

[Mary Krueger (rugmaking)]

wisconsinteacher,

Here's a few pics of rugs without borders and with leather borders like you requested.

 Here is a buff rug I did without a border :



A 3 footed croc I did with a leather border :



Close up of bobcat rug in my signature that has a leather border :



Here's a leather bordered griz I did a while back :





An African lion we mounted and rugged borderless :



These zebras have rolled leather borders which is primarily done on flat skins :



Hope these pictures help you out a bit. I couldn't locate any full pics of the borderless bear rugs I have done, but they do make a very attractive rug done that way. 

Kind regards,
Mary

[Lisa M]

Beautiful work Mary!  I knew you were good...but sheesh woman!  That whole collection is just beautiful! 

[alb9324]

apprenticed for bud stache in the early 70's i hand sewed all of his rugs no border for those who don't know the name stache his father mounted penguins for admiral bird and sam space the first monkey in space   anyway the rugs looked great plane and simple

[Mary Krueger (rugmaking)]

Thanks, Lisa! 

Alb9324, Would love to see some pics of the pengiuns or Sam. Enjoy seeing old taxidermy mounts, especialy ones of historical value.

Kind regards,
Mary

[IdahoBison]

wisconsinteacher,

Here's a few pics of rugs without borders and with leather borders like you requested.

 Here is a buff rug I did without a border :



A 3 footed croc I did with a leather border :



Close up of bobcat rug in my signature that has a leather border :



Here's a leather bordered griz I did a while back :





An African lion we mounted and rugged borderless :



These zebras have rolled leather borders which is primarily done on flat skins :



Hope these pictures help you out a bit. I couldn't locate any full pics of the borderless bear rugs I have done, but they do make a very attractive rug done that way. 

Kind regards,
Mary

Mary, I love your work in the pics especially the bison and bear.