I want to make fur hats.

Originally Posted by Foxy

Congratulations on your catch! Always happy to see trappers care enough to do a good 'put up'. Nice job!

Stitching coon skins by hand is usually not a problem. The tri-cornered needle is called a 'glovers needle' if you need to find one but I think a regular point needle for stitching canvas will work and can be found in most stores that sell sewing notions.

You might want to make a liner for your hat as well and that can be sewn on a machine. If you don't have a liner the hairs poke through the hide and can be scratchy. I use quilted material from WalMart. It is cotton fabric with a thin sheet of batting backed with nylon mesh and quilted in a diamond pattern.

Good luck! If you run into problems let me know...I've made lots of hats over the years so maybe I can help.

Originally Posted by Feather In The Breeze

I know this is asking a lot. It would be really nice to see some 'how-to' pictures with explanations on tanning fur hides or on making the lining to the hat and piecing the hat and the final product. If anyone is currently in the process of making a hat I thank you in advance for sharing your experience.

Originally Posted by Feather In The Breeze

I'll be practicing on a beaver hide using an aluminum sulfate solution. It is described here. http://www.earthskills.net/hairOn.htm

I've always heard that the smaller the animal the more easy it will be to tear the hide. The hat, if tanning works out, will be a Russian Beaver Hat. The kind where the sides that go over the ears ties up at the top.

Originally Posted by 7thswan

I can only give you and others a few hints. My grandmother from Russia was a furrier, we wear fur in our family for warmth. Old fur tears very easly,infact every fur ages and becomes unusable,it's the hide(skin). This process can be slowed down with proper storage(cool and proper humidity). The way a hide is tanned is also a huge factor. thin hide such as rabbit,tears very easly. Most old fur coats are useable as cutters( what they are known as in the craft industry, same as chenele(sp) beadspreads ect) Areas of the garment have different rates of wear, so a whole garments seams will be different. The bottom of a coat will be in better condition than sleeves of sholders.Look for a garment that is made of full skins. If you would buy a new coat,this is also what to look for-full hides. One would be surprised if the looked closely to many fur coats,they are a mass of tiny pieces put together with many many seams. A hat could be made easly,because it doesn't get much stress. I would suggest a fabric backing to any old fur skin,it will give strength where the stitching weakens the hide. Use waxed dental floss for hand sewing. Makeing a pattern is another story,but using something that fits you,that can be taken apart and used as a pattern is the best way.