Author Topic: Leggings material  (Read 4752 times)

Offline Shovelbuck

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Leggings material
« on: March 19, 2016, 12:24:20 AM »
Aside from buckskin, what would be a traditional material to make some leggings from? I've lost over 200 lbs in the past year and feel I can now wear them with a breechclout. :)
I don't hunt the hard way, I hunt a simpler way.

Offline okieboy

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2016, 01:46:51 AM »
 Many native leggings were made from trade cloth, so the question becomes what trade cloth was traditional in the area and time frame. Where I am from, Osage County Oklahoma, I have seen many leggings made from wool cloth, often dark blue or red, and often decorated (as is typical for Osages) with ribbon work. The ones that I have seen form a perfect rectangle when laid flat and have a seam that runs diagonal in a straight line from ankle to thigh, so there were no curves to get close fitting.
 A simple Google image search will show you plenty of variations.
Okieboy

Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2016, 02:04:08 AM »
As OB said they are usually a wool trade cloth of some sort. Red and blue are the most common colors, sometimes with a rainbow selvedge. They were'nt always made by natives. They were often sold as finished goods at a local trading post. Contrary to popular belief they were'nt always sold in pairs, and were'nt always worn in pairs either. Old paintings show men wearing one blue legging, and one red legging, at times.

 Hungry Horse

Offline One Shot

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2016, 09:17:40 AM »
Aside from buckskin, what would be a traditional material to make some leggings from? I've lost over 200 lbs in the past year and feel I can now wear them with a breechclout. :)

Congrats on your loss....That is a huge accomplishment.

Offline conquerordie

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2016, 10:25:59 PM »
Wow, congrats on your weight loss. Wool was common for natives and civilians. I've also seen mention of a heavey tow cloth or canvass. These were call "wrappers". Good luck,
Greg

Offline Shovelbuck

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2016, 05:02:09 AM »
Thanks for the info and compliments. It's been a journey for sure that isn't quite done yet. :) I'm going to look for some wool.
I don't hunt the hard way, I hunt a simpler way.

seesbirds

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2016, 05:12:37 AM »
I've been wearing a breechclout and leggings since I started buckskinning 15 years ago.  I have a pair of wool leggings and a few wool breechclouts.  Make sure you line or tape the top of the legging where it's going to fit the inside of your upper leg.  Otherwise it's likely to get extremely itchy.  Also beware that wool will bleed color for some time (at least all the red, blue, purple and yellow wool I have does) so be careful getting it wet unless you want colored tails on your shirts .

Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2016, 02:41:44 AM »
 Eastern and Western leggings differ greatly in the material used, and the design as well. Eastern leggings are often center seam, while Western leggings are usually side seam. There are different styles used by different tribes. And different lengths as well. All this needs to be considered if your persona is to be believablle.

  Hungry Horse

Offline grabenkater

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Re: Leggings material
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2016, 12:32:25 PM »
Horse, it is my understanding that there are no historical examples of center seam leggings.
When a nation forgets her skill in war, when her religion becomes a mockery, when the whole nation becomes a nation of money-grabbers, then the wild tribes, the barbarians drive in... Who will our invaders be? From whence will they come?