First attempt at making buckskin

[Bison Horn]

Got some deer hides from this past season so while I was tanning some fur I went ahead and tanned two deerskins. Just got done breaking them and came out nice and soft. I'm going to make a buckskin shirt when I get the rest done but I need to know how do you dye the hides, I don't want a white shirt. Maybe make a dress tho for that special person out of the white skins. Here's pics.

[Red Badger]

smoke them.  The smoke will turn them a nice golden color depending on how long you smoke them the  color will darken.  Then wear them - the sweat, grease and dirt will change the color also!

[beowulf]

smoking also makes them more or less waterproof , they`ll still get wet ,but they wont turn back into raw hide when they dry !

[William]

After seeing how tanning is done first hand I'd say that you've done a fine job.  Smoking the buckskin does impart some waterproofing to them, or you could use something like walnut hull dye.

[Micanopy]

If you brain tanned them smoke is about the only real way to get some color in them with out having to break them down again.
If you lutanF' tanned them you should be able to use walnut, oak, or any of the "Vegie" dyes. Rit dye will also work. REMEMBER THIS ALWAYS! NO WARMER THAN YOU CAN STAND, or 120 degrees, which ever comes first.
The hides look very nice indeed!

[Bison Horn]

Thanks guys for the help. I was going to smoke them when I get um all done. If yall say that gives color that's what I'll go with. It'll be my first time smoking hides also. Micanopy I use the LutanF it's a real good tan best I've found for furs. I broke um one more time since I took the pics and threw um in the old dryer I use for a tumbler and now they are super soft and really white, couldn't believe I turned out something that nice. Thanks BH

[Leathermonger]

Nice job Alan, can't wait to see the finished product

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

Those look real good , almost makes me brave enough to try it.

[Bison Horn]

Thanks, got 2 more dehaired this AM. When I get um all done I'll attempt a shirt.