Mountain Man Clothing

[Abinadi]

Who has made Mountain Man type clothing before or has information on it?
Has anyone worked with hides or slept under or on them?
I would like to learn more about this area?

Abinadi

[thermocouple]

Mrs Thermocouple's step-mom has made LOTS of mountain man clothing over the years. In fact she is making some clothing for our family right now.

[sarge712]

The BSA has a merit badge booklet on frontier living or something of that sort that shows how to make capotes and such from blankets, etc. I will dig mine up and let you know the exact title.

[Abinadi]

What is Mrs. Thermocouple making now?
What do you use when you go with your tipi?
How would you recommend I get started?

Abinadi

[thermocouple]

Here is Mrs Thermocouple wearing a wool capote and deerskin boots. She's cheating a little with those thermals though...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/Bridger%202007/Mama-Bear.jpg

Here's me holding our youngest. I'm wearing my blackbear hide coat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/Bridger%202007/Daddy-Daughter.jpg

Mrs Thermocouple's step-mom is making the boys some shirts, like these:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/Bridger%202007/Father_Son.jpg

And she's making the girls some prairie dresses, like these:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/Bridger%202007/Sharing.jpg

Sometimes the kids wear little buckskin outfits, like this little guy:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/Bridger%202007/Crazy-Kids.jpg

[Abinadi]

NICE!
I love the clothes. Did you make up your own patterns or are they time peroid?
I love the bear coat. The kids are cute. I'd bet Mrs. Thermocouple stays snug in that capote she made.
I love this alot!!!!'
Thank you for sharing these pictures. Where were they taken?

Abinadi

[thermocouple]

Abinadi, these pictures were all taken at the Fort Bridger Rendezvous last September, in Wyoming. This rendezvous occurs every year, from Thursday through Monday over Labor Day weekend. All of the apparel is correct for the period, 1820's-1840's.

[Abinadi]

Is this just outside of Billings Mt?

Abinadi

[thermocouple]

Just East of Evanston, accross the Utah border on the 80
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/FortB-Map.jpg

[thermocouple]

There is also a rendezvous going on this coming weekend at Fort Buenaventura, in Ogden Utah. This one also occurs annually, each Easter weekend. We will be at this weekend's rendezvous from Thursday through Monday.

Here's a picture from last year's rendezvous at Fort Buenaventura. It was taken with a lousy camera, but it's the only pic I have of this particular rendezvous. This is where we will be this weekend. Our camp is on the far side of the pond, on the left.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/cbatson73/teepee12.jpg

[thermocouple]

Has anyone worked with hides or slept under or on them?

Buffalo hides are incredibly warm and will ward off the bitter cold of winter. I know this from testimonies of others, I have yet to get a hide of my own. They are not cheap, but it's something that is high on my list. I bought a primitive tent a few days ago from a man who is also selling two buffalo hides, and seems to be willing to negotiate. His initial asking price is $400 per hide, and believe it or not that in itself is not a bad price. If someone is interested in splitting in I may be able to negotiate a good deal for both hides. He will be at the rendezvous this coming weekend.

[Abinadi]

Are these hides brain tanned?
There are some who raise buffalo and if you tan it your self you may save some money.

Buffalo is on my list as well.

Abinadi

[thermocouple]

Are these hides brain tanned?

I doubt it. Brain tanning is far more labor intensive than chemical tanning, and skins and hides that have been brain tanned always come at a real premium. These buffalo hides are reasonably priced even for chemical tanning, if they were brain tanned they would be selling for at least twice this asking price, and probably more.