Tanning rabbit hides has been a steep learning curve for me. I’ve been learning the salt and egg yolk method because I want to be as self-sufficient as possible. Salt is something I always have for pickling, and the chickens provide me with eggs - so it makes sense! There are tons of other methods that work- but I think this is a great place to start.
Some furs have turned out better than others and I now have two piles. I call them my ‘A sides’ and ‘B sides’. When I finished tanning the roaster that I mentioned in previous posts, I had to start a new pile. The fur of the huge 8+ pound rabbit from which I made bunny bacon turned out amazingly. This A+ fur needed to become a hat.
Time to finally make something with rabbit fur- I measured a lambskin hat that my Nan gave me. I drew a *very technical design* trying to take into consideration anything I could think of such as how much extra would be needed to fold over and sew, how to join the pieces, etc. I then drew it out onto a pair of old jeans as a template.
Full disclosure- I don’t actually know how to sew. I’m much more practiced with a drill or pitchfork in my hand.
This is 100% ‘winging it’
I cut the denim and pinned it into something resembling a hat. Next was the part I dreaded most - CUTTING UP my most successful fur. The big fluffy brown fur turned out better than any before! The leather is soft and supple like fabric and because I harvested it in the winter, it’s mega fluffy. It looked as though this one fur might make the entire hat, including an exceptionally furry front. This is where things got exciting.
Rabbit leather is known to be very thin and delicate. To help keep my stitching from pulling out I decided to glue the denim to the leather. This way I could sew both the fur and leather and give it more strength. I then learned that hand-sewing denim is ridiculously difficult. I did it! But man, it was tough.
That was when it began to really shape. To my surprise, it was actually fitting too big so I cut up an old shirt and made it into a liner. Much nicer looking than denim and cozier. It was then that I realized I had some off-cuts to make pompoms. A couple of straps to tie up the ear flaps and it was done!
It’s cozy and incredibly warm. I learned a lot while making this hat- and I’m sure eventually I’ll have to mend it. Such is ‘winging it’
What do you think, will I get some funny looks when I wear it to town?
I thought you would put the fur on the inside - and it needs a peak for the sunny days. Otherwise it looks good. When are you going to make the mittens?
Unbelievable, Amy you are so talented, cannot believe all of the things you can do….WOW
Love your posts, keep up the good work, your both very talented❤️