buckskin

[xxkristenxmariexx]

I'm designing buckskin dress and i went on crazy crow to order some but i'm new to this and have NO idea what sf means. I can tell the higher the sf is th e higher the price but is that the size of it? I'm thirteen so about how much sf would i need to cover my body?

[Joe's Dad]

sf stands for 'square feet'. Hides are measured by size (length x width).A deer hide may be 20 sf, while an elk hide may be 35sf.

Those aren't exact measurements, but that's how it's measured.

As far as how much you need, it depends on your size.

[tribaltagz]

also depends on the style buckskin you're making. My neice is 13 and if I were making a southern style buckskin for her I could probably get away with 3 smaller hides and probably still have enough left to do her bag and probably Mocs too. I'd order one more hide than you need if you have the money for it. You might send a message Cara Purdy and she would probably be willing to help you figure it out. She also has GREAT hides and is one of the best dress makers I know. Are you making the dress yourself? Is someone helping you? Also, if you tell Crazy Crow what you're needing the hides for they'll be able to go through their hides and help match them and find hides with no or few holes.
BTW RiverCrow sells ready made Crow style unadorned buckskin dresses for less than $500.

[OLChemist]

While you probably know this. It's useful to remember that buckskin is kind of deer-shaped. I've had one or two very surprised students when they order 8 square foot hide and it isn't in a nice 2 by 4 ft rectangle. Also the edges can be less than useful in some cases.

[xxkristenxmariexx]

Yes, i am making it on my own. See the problem is i'm not making a traditional dress, i'm trying to make a more modern one out of buckskin. I'm aiming for making the dress with one hide, do you think that's possible? I have a picture in my head of how i want it to look..dark tan dress, spaghetti style straps, fringe that hangs down in the shape of an arrow in the front and back, some sort of red beading. I'm just not sure how to get started until i know if i can get a single hide for it.

[Joe's Dad]

Get a buffalo hide.

[tribaltagz]

Oh!

OK I'm with ya now.... not really a pow-wow style dress at all then. You might be able to get one out a single hide if it's a mini. You might try making a "slub" or a mock up of the dress with some felt or muslin or something cheap to see how much in yardage it would take, then base your hide requirements off that.

[xxkristenxmariexx]

and do you feel that will be big enough?

[xxkristenxmariexx]

thanks!

[Keely]

I'm designing buckskin dress and i went on crazy crow to order some but i'm new to this and have NO idea what sf means. I can tell the higher the sf is th e higher the price but is that the size of it? I'm thirteen so about how much sf would i need to cover my body?

neber mind ;)

[wyo_rose]

Well, if you want buckskin fringe you need to allow extra for that too.

So as tribal tagz said, make a mock up of the dress with something like felt, before you even order the buckskin. You want to have the pattern PERFECT cuz once you cut your buckskin, there's no going back. I did the same thing when making my first Pendleton coat.

I doubt you can get a decent dress out of one hide. You'll probably need at least 2. and maybe more for fringe.

[SuzzeQ4]

If I made a dress out of one hide for my 13 yr old I doubt it would cover her butt. It sounds like an attractive design and I agree 2 hides...whats the dress for?

[xxkristenxmariexx]

lol, you're probably right. it's for a pow wow i'm going to in september, i'm not dancing that's why i'm not making a traditional dress. it's just going to be something simple.

[OLChemist]

lol, you're probably right. it's for a pow wow i'm going to in september, i'm not dancing that's why i'm not making a traditional dress. it's just going to be something simple.

I was taught to cover at least my upper arms and shoulders around the circle. You might want to rethink those spaghetti straps.

[SuzzeQ4]

I was taught to cover at least my upper arms and shoulders around the circle. You might want to rethink those spaghetti straps.

yep, cover your shoulders and knees, you'll get a much better reception. If your not dancing, I'd wear a nice cotton dress or shirt and skirt set. Have you thought about ribbon clothes, it's more forgiving then hide when your starting.....Just a sugestion, your creativity is great so go with whtever but DO (less of a sugestion) keep those shoulders and knees covered, shawl would be a good idea too.