Both sets are at roughly the same stage. So far I've cut out the patterns, carved and dyed. The reining saddle has half of its nailheads attached, then I ran out. The other set is partly put together, and is pictured above. I'm really happy with how the carving turned out on the roper saddle. It's dyed using a J. Hewit powder dye, Light Brown, which I haven't used for years and years. Which is a shame as its a lovely colour. I just have to make sure that I dye everything using one batch. That's because every dye batch turns out different depending on the powder/water ratio. But I must use it more, an English saddle in this shade would look very refined!
I'm pleased with the stirrup leathers, they're fully adjustable like the real thing. Just need to make the stirrups, get some leather conchos done, fit the seat and glue the sheepskin on! I really want to get these sets done before Christmas!
What a great blog! I'm glad I found it :) Your saddles look very nice and the posts about trees are really intresting! One of the reasons I'm sticking to Western saddles so far is that I find the prospect of making an English saddle tree very daunting. Yours en Jennifer Buxton's posts on trees have given me enough insight and ideas that I may actually try it next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment, I am so glad others are finding my posts useful. Bear in mind you can always have a go at an english saddle using a cast tree. You can get them from RDLC and also Horsing Around depending on what style you'd prefer. And just like a western saddle you can start simple, with plain flaps to begin with. Once you get more confident you can work on things like knee rolls, seat welts and dee rings!
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