Adult Workshop: 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.

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.

This is an all-outdoor program and participants will be outside under the cover of an outdoor pavilion.

Teens interested in attending this program should contact us at (845) 256-9830 or info@wildearth.org to confirm eligibility and register.

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 Professional certification and a Trailing Level III certification through the CyberTracker Conservation. Neill has been a facilitator at Art of Mentoring since 2001 and has studied under 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. Neill’s passions include flintknapping, bow making, hide tanning, tracking, megalithic construction, hunting and wandering in the wilderness.