I'm working on a life size coyote mount and have a hole right on top of the snout. It starts about a half an inch away from the end of the nose pad. How should I go about fixing it? I was thinking after sewing, with black thread and super close stiches of course, I could epoxie the seem and somehow add texture to it.
I wasn't sure if there was a better way I'm not seeing or know of? Any ideas or anyone do something like this before?
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First make sure the edges of the hole, where you'll sew, are very thin. Use your scalpel and thin that leather down.
This gives you a little more stretch and area, so the seam won't pucker later.
Then,
Use a hand-sewing "buttonhole" thread which is an ivory or pale beige in color, and sew it as close as you would an ermine tail.
Make sure not to pull ANY hair through to the leather side. You need as much hair on that snout as possible.
Groom the seam at least 3 times from 2-3 directions once you are done sewing.
If any thread is visible once you're all done, dye the thread with a skin dye, or just airbrush the snout as per usual once you're done mounting the head.
It will be invisible if you do this right. I did this on 2 timber wolves and you'd never even know what they looked "before".
I also have done it over 100 times on ermine tails with great results, and those are much tougher.