Rachels Buckskins: Brain-tan Buckskin Courses

Practical and Theory Brain-tan Buckskin Course 8 hrs

Date: December 1 2018
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: YMCA-Camp Chief Hector (Seebe) - Eagle Lodge
Accommodations are available: Please book in advance.

The empowerment felt while wearing a hand rendered natural garment can not be described. What better way to honour the fallen animal, than with meditative hard work, resulting in a cherished heirloom.

Brain-tanning is a trade, that needs to be practiced with the same diligence as someone apprenticing to become a skilled professional. No one should expect perfect results their first time, as practice does make perfect. Learning the craft though demonstration and hands on practice can considerably accelerate your learning curve.

Course Outline:

1: The hunt

2: Skinning
- brain extraction
- tool making
3: Fleshing
4: Bucking solutions
5: Graining
6: Rinsing and Drying
7: Brain and Ring
8: Softening
9: Smoke
10: Wash

The technical steps of this course, (graining, braining, ringing, and softening) will be covered with the hands on option. Their are not enough hours in this course to complete a hide (the softening can take up to 8hrs itself), but all the steps will be covered in theory.

To Bring:

Rubber Gloves
Handkerchief
Notebook and Pencil
Wear old clothes - dress for outdoor classroom time. Indoor classroom time will be spent in Eagle lodge
Camp chair

Price: $235 Includes the Brain-tanning Buckskin Step-By-Step Guide.
Deposit: $50
Lunch: optional $10
To Book or ask Questions: Please e-mail rachelsbuckskins@hotmail.com

Brain-tan Theory Course 2 hrs.

Date: TBA
Time: 6pm to 8pm

This course will give you the knowledge to tan your own hide.

Course Outline:

hunt: skinning and brain extraction
fleshing and storage
bucking and wet scraping
dry scraping and pre-smoking
braining
ringing
softening and sewing
smoking and washing

Price: $75
Deposit: $20
To Register or ask questions, please e-mail:
rachelsbuckskins@hotmail.com

What does Traditionally Tanned Mean?

Traditionally tanned refers to buckskin that has been tanned through an age old, natural process, often refered to as brain-tan or smoke-tan. The main tanning agent that is used though this laborious process is brains, or eggs, along with wood ashes, water, and wood smoke. The old saying "God gave each animal enough brains to tan their own hide"still stands true today. Brain-tan buckskin is known for its superior quality, luxurious softness, durability, and ability to be machine washed. Since the dawn of time, all over the world, our ancestors have been using this process. As industry has progressed over the last century, this, among other important skills have been lost. Relearning ancient skills is empowering, and I encourage you to learn this skill to add to your repertoire.

Traditionally tanned leather unlike its chemical counterpart does not have caner causing toxic chemicals infused into the fibers. Chemical or factory tanned leather uses a variety of chemicals such as chromium, chromium sulfate, glutaraldehyde, oxazolidine, formaldehyde, novolac and many more.

Washing Instructions and Care of Product

Wash: Use cold or warm water, and a small amount of mild detergent. Run it through a regular cycle.

Dry: Tumble dry on low. Ideally, remove the item before it completely dries, and wear until dry. This will allow the garment to take your exact bodies shape. If it does dry completely, not to worry. It will be a little stiff, like a pair of jeans to begin with, then will loosen and form to your body after wear.

Care of Product:
Do's: Wear often. Buckskin will continue to soften and mold to your body over time.
Don't: Do not expose to extreme heat (example: drying over an open fire), natural sun is okay. Do not store wet