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LEATHER
HIDES & SKINS
When purchasing leather, remember that
hides are irregular in shape and a square foot refers to 144 square
inches but not, necessarily, a piece 12 x 12 square. Leather hides
are measured by machines which record and count all parts of the
hide including all the rough edges and ragged areas around the legs,
neck and rump. You cannot measure a hide by linear measure as used
for measuring cloth where a yard would equal 3 ft. by 3 ft. for
a total of 9 sq. ft. The hide is in animal shape and a 9 sq. ft.
hide (for example) could appear to the untrained eye to be 7 to
7 1/2 sq ft.
As a general guide when sizing skins for costume
work, we offer the following information: Man size 40 (5 8 tall)
would require: for a war shirt, four skins, two 8-9 square footers
for the front and back, and two 5-6 square footers for the sleeves.
For leggings, two skins, 8-10 square footers (depending on style).
For breechcloth, one 5-6 square footer to be cut and joined as desired
for width and length. For a womans dress, four skins would be required,
each to be 7-9 square feet, depending on the size of the dress and
the amount of fringe desired.
When ordering leather, please advise
us of the project planned so we may be better able to select or
cut leather most suitable for your purpose.
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