Buckskin Sewing

Delve hands-on into a culture of respect and reverence while learning to use buckskin (a soft, suede-like leather) to make beautiful hand-stitched pouches using traditional techniques.

Join master craftsman and reverent, seasoned hunter Neill Bovaird of Wolftree Programs for this hands-on workshop.

This two-day experience is a much requested follow-up to the Using the Whole Deer workshop Neill has offered with us for many years. Using the Whole Deer part 1 is not a prerequisite. New students are welcome to join as each workshop stands alone, however together they bring us closer to the dream of fully utilizing the abundance the deer have to offer.

For generations buckskin was the material of choice for clothing, bags, shoes, string, and many other daily used items. Buckskin is an incredible material. It is warm, durable, beautiful and has many applications.

In this weekend class we will dive into how to take a tanned buckskin hide and turn it into a pouch using a variety of sewing methods. We will see how to cut lacing and stitch functional and beautiful seams using modern and ancient tools. Each student will leave the class with a beautiful hand stitched buckskin pouch made with traditional tools and techniques.

Topics Covered:

• The properties of buckskin
• Bone needles and awls
• Making lacing and thread
• Basic sewing skills
• Seam variations and applications
• Decoration

Note: Buckskin sewing is an intensive process requiring active use of the hands, arms and core, and the learning process will involve participants’ sustained physical engagement. 

Teens interested in attending this program should contact us via (845) 256-9830 or info@wildearth.org.

About Neill Bovaird

Neill Bovaird has been practicing and teaching wilderness skills since 1998. He has a B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation from UMass Amherst and holds a Track and Sign Level III certification through the CyberTracker Conservation. Neill has been a facilitator at Art of Mentoring since 2001 and has studied with Jon Young, Mark Elbroch, Errett Callahan, and Steve Watts.

In addition to being the founder and director of Wolf Tree Programs LLC, Neill has taught wilderness skills at countless private and public schools, nature centers, museums, conferences, elder hostels and camps. He has been a passionate hunter and gatherer for over ten years and is dedicated to sharing how to approach hunting and gathering in a respectful way, helping people connect more deeply to themselves, nature and their communities.

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