Elkhide Coat

I made this coat a few years ago out of some commercially tanned elk hides. All the stitiching is done by hand and all of the fringe is handcut. I'm very happy with it except I can't help but wish that I could get some of the "yellow" out of it. Any ideas how someone might do that since it's already finished? Perhaps I'll just have to make another one out of some brain tanned once I can afford some.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/album...76D5AA78-838-000001EFCA9FFC7F_zps27bc19b8.jpg
http://i1340.photobucket.com/album...34E17A40-838-000001EFCEA48C7F_zps30aeff71.jpg
http://i1340.photobucket.com/album...C7549F9C-838-000001EFC22DE34B_zps34591017.jpg
http://i1340.photobucket.com/album...0F145C32-838-000001EFC65121E1_zpsf31c8ced.jpg
http://i1340.photobucket.com/album...DC7EBF66-838-000001EFBE08E49C_zpsae4aecef.jpg

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nice job, nice coat.
I would not fret over the color. Just use it. Natural aging will happen with use.
I have a pair of elk hide commercially tanned britches that are over 30 years old. Most comfortable garment I own. Fortunately elk seems to stretch indefinitely. :redface: They fit me then and they fit me now.

 

[wattlebuster]

Young man you have talent :thumbsup:

 

[Black Hand]

I've used household bleach and water to remove color from chrome-tan.

 

[AWsaddles]

That is excellent work you have done there! You should be proud. :hatsoff:

 

[wmaser]

Get a package of "Rit" dye at the grocery store or Walmart. Many colors to choose from. Follow the instructions on the box and make your coat any color you want.

 

[wildernessguy]

Rite color dye REMOVER works perfect. Garment will look greenish until it dries then u can walnut dye with sprite bottle or leave the removed litened color.

 

[tenngun]

A little bleach water and hung up out doors in the sun will bleach it well. Then smoke it if you can.
Animal fats will give you blakened spots to mix with the smoke

 

[Rick Son]

That shines!!! It truely shines!!!! Boy someday i'll will have an elk jacket,someday,and i would have no doubts whatsoever haveing you do one!!!I like the yellow and the ageing process it goes through.My good friend mountain man Chuck Streeper can make them,but he says make your own,yea right,i have ADD,ain't gonna happen~And he knows it.

 

[omarick1948]

Nice Buffalo Bill type coat! A little to St. Louis tailor made for an old time Mountainman or Native American with those pockets, but nicely made!

JMHO,
Rick :thumbsup:

 

[suzkat]

Great jacket. You can change it to any color you want. I like the walnut idea or mix rit dark brown and tangerine until you get the color you want. Real nice.

 

[Stophel]

I had some yellow chrome deerskin that I got years ago, that was not the typical rubbery awful slick texture as usually found with chrome tanned stuff, but slightly "fuzzy" in imitation of brain tan. Pretty nice, actually, except for that hideous color! I got some RIT dye in the "taupe" color, and dyed it (I made leggins out of it, and a pair of moccasins), and it is the most fantastic dry leaf brown. :wink: Lay it on the dry leaves on the ground in the woods, and it disappears. It is that exact color.

That jacket would look great with a pair of Navy Colts...