Making my first buckskin pants

[Lonewolfe20]

Well we have been cold enough here to halt a majority of outside work for a couple weeks so I am venturing into Making a pair of buckskin pants  
I have commercial tanned hides that picked up very reasonable and was wondering if I should stretch them first
Here's a quote from G A Reneker website

If you order buckskin clothing made of commercial tanned hides, we pre-stretch the buckskin before making those items to help minimize their stretching when worn. It takes about 1 hour to pre-stretch each hide, but it produces a fit more like Indian tanned buckskin.

I'm not sure if I should do this with these hides or not
They are deer and feel very stretchy
Also which stitch would be authentic
Thanks everyone

[Lonewolfe20]

I bought a northwest traders pattern and cut up an old pair of pants just to have to things to look at
I will probably go with a whip stitch and turn them out
Which side is more Correct to have on the outside the smooth or the rough as far as the leather is concerned I've read both ways but would like your guys opinions on this

[rollingb]

Always pre-stretch commercially tanned hide before making clothing,.... or they'll "grow".

I sew my buckskin clothing with linen thread,... using the "running stitch".  

[Lonewolfe20]

How should I stretch them
Wet them and string them up on a stretching rack or is there another way
Also how long are your running stitches I think I just read that they should be 1/8 to 3/16
Does that sound right to you

[rollingb]

I bought a northwest traders pattern and cut up an old pair of pants just to have to things to look at
I will probably go with a whip stitch and turn them out
Which side is more Correct to have on the outside the smooth or the rough as far as the leather is concerned I've read both ways but would like your guys opinions on this

Commercially tanned buckskin clothing with the "rough-side" out, will help it (a little) to (sort'a) resemble "brain tan" to the casual observer,... the draw back is, the "slick-side" (epidermis) will feel "clammy" against your skin.

Commercial hides are COLD in the winter, and HOT in the summer, because they don't "breath" like brain tan does.
If you are lucky enough to get some brain tan skins for clothing, be sure to smoke them good before "cuttin' and stitchin".

[Lonewolfe20]

Thanks for the help RollingB
 I've heard that cold hot before from my father in law and thought if I could do a good enough job with these cheap hides I would start saving up after I get my kids outfitted and buy some brain tanned hides
Was that way I said about stretching the right way as far as wetting and putting them on a rack

[rollingb]

How should I stretch them
Wet them and string them up on a stretching rack or is there another way
Also how long are your running stitches I think I just read that they should be 1/8 to 3/16
Does that sound right to you

No need to get'em really wet, just "fairly damp" before stretching.
Standing on the edge of a hide and putting a good "pull" on the opposite edge will get it stretched if you move along both edges a few inches at a time. Be sure to turn the hide 90-degrees and do the same going in the other direction.

Keep stretchin' til the hide feels dry and it should be ready to be made into clothing.  

[Lonewolfe20]

Perfect inside job
I will post my progress
Thanks

[rollingb]

Thanks for the help RollingB
 I've heard that cold hot before from my father in law and thought if I could do a good enough job with these cheap hides I would start saving up after I get my kids outfitted and buy some brain tanned hides
Was that way I said about stretching the right way as far as wetting and putting them on a rack

Smoked brain tan is soooo much nicer than commercial tan,.... but unforunately, that is also reflected in it's price.

Yeah,.... if you have some sort of a rack that will allow some pullin' on a damp hide, that'll work too.
Years ago, I'd dampen commercial tanned hides and loop'em around a post buried part way in the ground, and sort'a "pull and see-saw'em backin' forth" to get'em stretched. That worked REALLY well.  

[rollingb]

Perfect inside job
I will post my progress
Thanks

Lookin' forwards to seein' what you make!  :hey-hey

[rollingb]

P.S.,.... I use 1/4" stitches for my buckskin clothing,... 1/8" for my linen shirts and other linen items,.... and 1/2" stitches when makin' buckskin rifle sheaths and leggin's.  

[Lonewolfe20]

Well here's the finished pants
I put some extra horn buttons on the waist for suspenders
They feel really awesome and look great all hand cut and hand stitched using a running stitch as per RollingB suggestions
Thanks for the help and all the info RollingB
Feels good to have a pair that I hand made.  the boys are all excited about making them each a pair now

[rollingb]

They look good!  

[Two Steps]

Nice job...those look really good!  

[Ohio Joe]

Nice job for sure!