I apologise right now to vegans and vegetarians. This post is about my latest engagement with my friends’ nose-to-tail approach to the sheep that they have working on a bush block they are rehabilitating in a rather wonderful way. Confronted with the option to use hides from local animals tanned by a local craftsman… how could I refuse?
These are Wiltshire Horn sheep hides–Wiltshire Horns are not famous for their fleece, in fact they shed rather than requiring shearing, which can be a distinct advantage in the climate these sheep live in. The skins do not have a lot of fleece on them at all. The question for me was whether I could stitch leather–but these hides were quite supple. So I decided to try,
I have been making my own car seat covers for some time. The bought kind involve underpaid labour in China, far too many fabrics that will never biodegrade, ugliness and… let me count the things I don’t like about them. Having a car is enough of a problem. I cut a seat cover up for a pattern years back and since then have made and worn through several made of upholstery scraps and recycled curtains and suchlike.
It was easier to make the cover than it was to take a decent photo on an overcast day. I did apply a razor near the seams to get the pile as low as I could prior to stitching–and I did measure three times before applying the scissors–that was about it for special techniques. Next year I might even make a mate for this one, as I think my friends have found takers for all the hides they had this year! Please feel free to suggest what I might make with the small scraps that remain. I am all ears!
Local & Bespoke 