Submitted by Tammy on 12/10/99. ( Tammy@hotmail.com ) 198.8.253.11
Hi
I was wondering what needs to be done when making a deer rug. I had seen the question posted a couple of days ago and the question was asked about trimming the sides of the hide, that is what I was wondering also because my hide too does not look very good on the sides. Could you please take me through the whole process. Can someone please help me out? Thank you
Tammy
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This response submitted by John C on 12/10/99. ( ) 204.180.103.16
There are many steps, but modifing a changeout head will be your biggest work. IS this a antlered head? You may need a disclaimer stating how dangerous this is to lay on the floor. (i.e doe this client run with sharp pencils?) No really. Trim out the bad areas when you strech it. You may want to use a dye under the back side of the leather. Lifetone has some penetrating dyes. Good luck John C
This response submitted by Tammy on 12/10/99. ( ) 198.8.253.11
Thanks for your input John. This is just going to be a rug with no head attached. Do I oil it right away after coming out of the tanning solution? I also heard that you can make a hide soft by sanding it (don't think I'm dumb, just wondering). I am going to use felt underneath, so I probably won't need the dye right? Sorry to keep bothering you, just wanted to get this last area cleared up before I start. Thanks again John
This response submitted by George Roof on 12/10/99. ( georoof@aol.com ) 205.188.209.133
Tammy,
Sanding thins the hide and is used in making suede leather. I does not, however, soften the hide. The hide has to be "broken" to break the fibers of the skin. After you oil it, pull it back and forth over something like a dull ax blade. This is tedious, time consuming work and why many of us get our hides tanned commercially. A hide tanned in a tumbler breaks the fiber as it tans and eliminates this step.
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