How to Make a Fur Mantle

This Viking fur mantle may complete any fantastical look and is surprisingly easy. So easy, even Madi could do it!
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All sounds and stock footage are from Epidemicsound.com & Envato Elements

[@fablesociety4563]

Love it! Also - helpful tip: When cutting fur (or faux fur) use a knife to cut through the skin/backing portion with several light cuts. That way you're not also trimming all the hair. It helps keep it looking like a "I trimmed my own bangs" wherever you cut, and it makes cleanup WAY easier.

[@valkyrie1066]

Yes! That too! When I'm sewing fur I also shave the outer 1/8 inch where sewing to ensure I'm sewing skin to skin. I absolutely agree on cutting with a knife from the back so you don't unintentionally give it a haircut at the same time! Sheepskin is easier to cut from the fur side, if it is long enough to part to ensure the hair isn't randomly cut. A little brushing, and the seam disappears!

[@AutumnNotAmber]

1. You both look beautiful in the mantle. 2. I literally found your channel a month ago and I was inspired enough to make your Assassins Cloak with my own twist on it, and it's freaking awesome! 3. Yes, you're very hot, it's summer, you're going to be very hot.😁 4. Keep leveling up those skills, I enjoy learning with you no matter what you're making. It truly helps me be creative as well.

[@Roccondil]

By the way, the mantle flashed as an example at 0:33 is from Folk of the Wood, a mother-daughter small business who make fantastic garb and leather equipment and accessories!

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Amusingly, the fur mantle wasn't common in the slightest in the medieval era. The association of fur mantles with the medieval era is entirely from modern fiction. Fur trim and fur lining for cloaks was common though.

[@nearpath8785]

and I can speak from experience, a wool cloak with a sheep's fleece is incredibly heavy but will keep you extra toasty in -10⁰ F

[@xxxholic22]

the tudors lined their entire gowns [men and women] in fur

[@fintonmainz7845]

You can neither prove nor disprove this.

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

@@fintonmainz7845 The proof is that there are zero examples in period art, literature or physical surviving pieces. But there are plenty for lined and trimmed.

[@jrmiazga1479]

@@RainMakeR_Workshop oh no 🤣… are you that guy that goes around telling people with fur mantles how wrong they are? 🤣🤣 I don’t think a lack of proof, is enough proof for many of us to not wear them. We know a technique was used (vararfeldur) for cloaks and it’s not a far jump to think that a bear fur mantle/cloak would have also been used. Let people do what they want as long as the technique itself is not outside of the period.

[@alexandermoran7783]

I enjoyed seeing maddi build this she did a great job 👏

[@barrycampbell4287]

Just a thought, revisit some of your old projects with your new skills and have a progression comparison vid. As well as how differently you’d tackle them now. Love what you do. Has helped me tremendously with SCA garb.

[@gavinp5940]

Using a good cotton for the lining would help with any issues with the skin.

[@joshuawestergren811]

I love this channel. You inspired me to try leather working.

[@poecraven8666]

Just discoverd this channel, and have to say I love it. Between this, Nerdforge, and the bazillion sewing channels I watch I feel like I can make almost anything. Now I just need to find a blacksmithing channel, and I'll be all set if I ever wind up in a fantisy world. By the way, you both look good in the mantel. If I had to choose one I'd say Maddie beat you out by a sliver, because your shirt didn't go well with the mantel. Love the shirt, but it's better standing alone than with a mantel.

[@janusrobson7516]

ever heard of Alec Steele?

[@poecraven8666]

@@janusrobson7516 No I haven't, but I'll have to check them out now. Thanks Janus.

[@MsLeahSweet]

Keep the videos coming! I'm trying to get my leathercraft business up and running and I want to do more "medieval" or "renaissance" style items. I just have a hard time finding people who already work with leather and make similar stuff, it was hard staying inspired until I came here!

[@SkillTree]

So glad you find us inspiring!

[@Kai-Xi]

I've never seen a spike closure before, that's so cool! And assembled on an appropriately cool (warm?) mantle

[@jonanderson3050]

lovely work, Madi (I personally think it looks best on you! ; ) And also congrats to both of you on 55K subs!

[@aaronlittle5478]

Like Stephanie said earlier, that badass mantle didn't work with the tshirt. LOVE the piece, though. Excellent work, Maddie!

[@GamerJules_]

I can't be sorry, Madi rocked the fur mantle better. But you definitely looked cozy!

[@lukemorrison1573]

I’m broke so I can’t do it thanks

[@BlackBeastWorkshop]

Absolutely insane whenever I have an idea for a project you make it not soon after. It makes things real damn helpful, great work as always!

[@ClanMcC79]

Now its time to make Madi's adventurers gear for reckoning, inquiring minds need to know!!

[@xxxholic22]

Another youtuber, Bernadette Banner, does a beginner's pirate shirt pattern from an actual shirt, which is super easy to make for bards, rogues, etc with an old sheet. It's all straight lines and easy measurements so is perfect for beginners and makes a stealth larp costume that you can mix with wardrobe pieces. She walks you through it very easily, but the shirt itself is the subject of lots of instructables, just a 18th century men's shirt, in green it could go under a leather cuirass for a ranger, brightly coloured and patched for a bard etc. It's a great starter project that's VERY easy to customise. It can be done by hand [she does it by hand] and is cheap. It's a good starter piece for a tailoring skill that can later include pants [Hazarielcostumes recently did a moiraine costume with wrap pants which are again a good starter piece being two panels only sewn together in the crotch. I know you hate sewing but sometimes a little stitching goes a very long way

[@markcarey5673]

Your videos always give me great ideas for future projects. And since I have piles of furs all over my house, I'm going to go into the mantle business. 😁

[@vortex514]

Awesome job Madi!

[@nightcrawlersgamingchannel5135]

Always love you great video! Video idea, maybe make a bear keg to go with your bear stein you make a few episodes back.

[@mikeregester25]

Dude, that MA winter can be no joke. Flew up there in January. It was -10 degrees when I got off the plane. Brrr!

[@bear788]

Very cool, although you wear the mantle well, Madi took it this week.

[@mikeregester25]

Just saying, we need more Maddie on the channel.

[@JakeAndreKim]

I found you recently, really enjoy the videos. One thing not sure if it’s just your quirkiness and humor but it’s called burnishing when your rubbing the edge of leather. Little tip as well not sure if you do it and I’ve just missed it or you purposely have opted out, but if you take a piece of beeswax prior to burnishing and rub it along the edge of your piece of leather the friction melts a little onto the edge. Then go ahead and burnish the edge you get a much more uniform and complete burnish. IMO the end product is much better then straight raw burnishing. As well if you plan to get into leather working a lot more buy another cheap hand burnisher and cut the pointy end off drill a hole through it lengthwise and put a long thin bolt through it allowing you to mount it in a drill or drill press. Keep it up, you deserve more subscribers this channels heavily underrated!

[@hex310]

Hi, great video guys. Amazing how the fur fits you both nicely. The differences in your sizes didn't alter the look of it at all.

[@azradyn470]

There's something amusing about watching Knits sew something together... Great video as always guys!

[@TheMariusDarkwolf]

Great video as always. A suggestion for attaching the leather disc on the hide side of the pelt, is to use some contact cement like barge. Just make sure you pull the pelt side taut when doing so. The reason for that is that right now the weight is being held on the rivets. Those holes will stretch. If you glue the disc to the pelt you'll achieve what you were going for. Also Maddi rocks it better, mind you that's just me thinking lasses look better than lads

[@Ptaaruonn]

Awesome mantle, would be awesome to put it over a cloak.

[@IgnizAnima]

That's an awesome mantle. Of course YOU wore it better. XXXP Just found this channel like...2 weeks ago and have watched a good bit of videos. Gonna star my own little project soon.

[@DaveB1965]

🥰 I love this project, I have been wondering how sew fur, and make it look seamless. Thanks for the water tip. I will definitely give it a try! I think with the right outfit, you would look better 😏 Big 👍.

[@lukasvoncanal2047]

I love this, I was thinking about making one of these, but longer down my back, and also made of fake fur, awesome work

[@stephenrenwick8781]

Well done Maddi great work

[@valkyrie1066]

Yes, I've done the fold-over method with rabbits; I would add that a small piece of bias tape sewn between them will help in keeping the edge stable. also might mention that making a muslin mock up....then sewing the furs TO the cloth, letting them hang down below and around it (the mock up is just a base for the furs and will not show.) Nice sewing/seaming, and combing will help cover the stitches I love the spike/chain closure you chose, and great work setting up the foundations with the riveted leather. LOVE your stuff, it looks great! Early Norse? We're always in layers of wool, linen and fur.Yes, We're ALWAYS HOT!

[@varun009]

This is perfect! I just got a bunch of rabbit skins. I have some "winter meat skins" which are meat rabbit skins harvested with their full winter coat, very thin skin but the fur is very soft. I have 2 in Chinchilla rabbit and 2 in standard brown. I also have 2 silver fox rabbit pelts and 2 opal black dyed Californian rabbit pelts from fully grown rabbits. I wanted to do something like this. Excellent guide.

[@sting2071232]

Thanks!

[@David35445]

I grabbed some of those rabbit pelts when they were on sale last winter, they became a liner for my aviator's hat. And yeah, they are freaking hot. Perfect for ice fishing.

[@timhornbeck2065]

Love this channel! Been watching for a while now, tried some of your projects and they turned out awesome! Thanks for inspiring and walking us through!

[@BorisdaSFR]

After binging all your LARP builds and stories, I have had enough, its time, we must LARP!. We have been trying to find LARP near us and we have just decided to go to Reckoning next time its held. Hope to see you there!

[@nefertitigold9720]

Just wanted to let you know, don't use scissors on fur. Use a knife with the fur face down. It looks cleaner and you're less likely to cut the fur around your seam. But it looks good!

[@AlexGardipe]

Ya know, I've actually been meaning to add a fur mantle to a LARP character :D

[@lukasvoncanal2047]

You probably won’t read this comment, but my grandmother has been getting really into using looms, and making cool designs, so I think it would be a fun idea for you to use a loom, and make a cool design, like some kind of symbol, or just a a plain cool looking fabric

[@SkillTree]

Madi’s been wanting to make a loom for YEARS at this point! Now that she is visiting more, maybe she will finally get her chance.

[@lukasvoncanal2047]

@@SkillTree also, may I recommend an amazing book series? It’s called “The Legend Of Drizzt”, I don’t know if you have already read it, but the book is about a drow dark elf, and he basically runs away from home, and goes to the surface (obviously more plot happens). But this series sparked some great ideas into my small 13 year old mind. I think you would really enjoy it.

[@dawg65779]

Does Madi have her own KZbin channel?, keep up the videos love every episode

[@dragonscaskentertainment5139]

I'm loving this. I look forward to adding fur to my stuff. Keep it up man!

[@Teeniebfable]

I’m now off to buy a couple of rabbit skins! Although in all likelihood I’ll never do anything more that pet them!

[@carlchesser6063]

As someone also from Florida, I wish I could do heavier looking clothes but it’s been 98 degrees and 89% humidity. Layers kill. Makes cosplay hard

[@perfectweather]

Great video, thanks 👍

[@mikehherron4800]

Maybe the host of this video thinks he's funny. I found him obnoxious. Whether or not fur mantles were actually used in ancient times, the young woman doing the work appeared to be quite skilled. I'd gladly watch her work again.

[@jamesblount3143]

Looks great Madi! Always happy to see another video from you

[@gregryeii403]

Madi, of course it looks better on Madi.

[@darladawn1111]

I just finished sewing my mantle together and now I am about to add the hardware. I'm using the metal spike on one side and a D ring on the other side, as I like the way it looks. My concern is, the rivets are only long enough to go through one leather anchor. Is it OK to just put the anchor on one side or will the skin tear if the anchor isn't on the front and the back? If I can get away with just using one anchor, should it be on the front, where the fur is, or on the back where the skin is? So far, I love the way it turned out so I don't want to ruin it now!

[@SkillTree]

Hmmmm. If I HAD to choose, I would put the anchor on the back (skin) side. That will at least stop it from pulling through. There should be very little actual force pushing from the front. I hope that helps!

[@darladawn1111]

@@SkillTree - It turned out SOOooo good!!! Thank you again!!!

[@tannergoergen8751]

This is one I actually already have most of the materials for!!! I’m so excited to try this!

[@arlynnecumberbatch1056]

you and nerdforge inspired me to do cosplay stuff and make diys for my own in the future if i have the money for things i need ._. BUT nonetheless i thought of making stuff from games bc i love minecwaf

[@hornyrhino9874]

i love the game of thrones references

[@dariazhukovska9207]

I have two large longhair sheep skins sewn together:) usually I use them instead of sleeping mat on LARPG, but when mornings are chilly - these sheep skins become my cloak and I look like I came right from the Game of Thrones Wall in desperate need of some tea😂 And yes, Madi wore it better😏

[@jrmiazga1479]

The SCA just posted this channel so I’ve watched sooooooo many videos. You two are doing a great job… can’t wait to see more 👍

[@derfjr1984]

Madi wore it better🐇🐇

[@robertdonnell8114]

very nice.

[@josephard9754]

I have to say Madi definitely looks better in it. Next time you cut fur try using a knife from the backside. It won't cut the hair so you end up with a better more natural looking edge.

[@OmniSphere]

Seconding the knife suggestion. Box cutter works nicely, too, for a common utilitarian tool. In addition to avoid cutting the hair it makes for less cut hair to clean up off of everything! :D

[@bresjak4620]

Can you please make like some ammo for the sling you made?

[@DOGDAD78]

Thanks for the inspiration. Any advice on how to get a dummy I can work on like you have here?

[@AutumnNotAmber]

Thanks!

[@PeregrinMorningStar]

You look very handsome in it but Madi looks like a warrior queen in it.

[@JediMasterKal]

In game of thrones they're always wearing fur because it's Fall for years in the story. Their planet is weird, the show ends in the beginning of winter that's when the white walkers finally show

[@miked4152]

Sorry man Madi is way hotter then you are. I'm gonna have to go with Madi all the way. 😁👍

[@SkillTree]

I SUPPOSE I understand

[@miked4152]

@@SkillTree lol, do you guys do lots of renaissance faires as well?

[@Heart_Hz]

What are these weight holder thingys called? To help with the metal

[@eurekamonograms]

I don't need one....but I want one hahaha

[@alpher5361]

I really like the mantle 👍

[@ShaneTallon88]

I have Thats same shirt . Hogwarts

[@gordonbailey6036]

Thank you, for sharing all this great information.

[@M4st3r0fN0n3]

What up Notie squad?????

[@mr-x7689]

You can purchase most things today. But why should you? Allot of the fings you pay allot for are really simple to make your self. And it more often than not are allot of fun to make. Shoure it can take a while to make it, and it can be frustrating some times. But the wast majority end up opening doors to other things you can make. and thusly becoming a hobby. As an example, I do allot of work in Wood, Leather and metal. (I'm a blacksmith) And i havent purchased any kitchen utensils for a long time now. I love to carve my own spoons, ladels and so on. It allows you to be creative, and often makes great gifts. Same goes for leather crafts. I make beltbags, water canteens, belts, quivers and so on. Now, i dont earn any money on it, which is sad, but hey, i have fun making the stuff so its worth it to mee. And thats whats counts. Don't be afraid to try a handcraft. I started out knowing f all. and now about 8 years later, make stuff to rival people whom have been doing it for 10+. It more often than not look more complicated than it accualy is. And you don't need to spend tousands of dollars on stuff. I started out leathercrafting, with an awl made out of a Nail filed sharp then hammered in to a pice of wood as an handel, Normal sewing needles and polyester tread. thats all in all perhaps 10$ of equiptment. and I used that for years, untill i decided to uppgrade. buy things as you go, one tool here another there. See if you can find a handcrafter whom are going to stop doing their craft and say you are interested in picking it up. They might just let you have some of their old stuff or purchase it cheap. Try to make the thing yourselfe, before purchasing it. Theres joy and pride in making stuff your selfe.

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

For shame, you didn't earn that leather point because you didn't do anything 😠 -1 leatherwork return to 30. +1 leatherwork to Maddie 😁

[@SkillTree]

I disagree! The BEST way to learn is to teach! But I DO agree on the +1 for Madi.

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

@@SkillTree Well then the only thing you did wrong was placing the point in the wrong skill. -1 to Leather work, +1 to Mentoring. 👍

[@firebird8600]

Maddie wore it better, sorry!

[@anaislora3160]

How much would you charge for a project like this?

[@petesanchez557]

I like crafting. I’ve learned to tan hides, I’ve done deer, elk, moose, beaver, fox and I first started with squirrels. I recommend squirrels, they are surprisingly thick, I’ve only tanned one from the mountains and it wasn’t as thick as a city squirrel. That’s perfect road kill to learn from. They are supple!

[@ambuknight]

Okay Now you should make Gambson shirt

[@emzirek]

Doesn't Maddie have her own channel? It should be listed in the vid card below videos

[@TheBottegaChannel]

That mantle looks fantastic, but I want to know where you found that spiked pin closure and how we can get them. Maybe you could make a video on how to make one using different materials? ;)

[@Walsfeo]

Great video! It worked well with you narrating her crafting, though it wouldn't have been bad if she narrated herself. Wither way works.

[@maryannhicks7829]

Where can I purchase the concho/spike chain set?

[@gordonbailey6036]

Thanks!

[@azraelf.6287]

This video could have been 5min shorter if you just switch the 2 puny rabbit pelts out for 1 dire rabbit, or were rabbit pelt. No sewing needed. But, acquiring one is probably a higher level skill. I suppose bear could work, too...

[@valkyrie1066]

My fav was a sheepskin mantle, as I had a trained pet chicken, also in viking garb, may I add. It gave her more purchase and warmth on my shoulder so she had a steadier ride. If you have a pet....whatever, that likes to sit on a shoulder, this is a good way to give them a secure "saddle" with which to ride you. Longer sheepskin, not lambskin or rabbit, which has short fibers. Their little....claws, paws...tentacles...can get more purchase on the thick fur. And it looked hella badass.

[@stragothemad9401]

Think you could give diablo 3 necromancer build from leather that would be SUPER DOPE!

[@Struthio_Camelus]

Fur in July? Sure. As Ned Stark was fond of saying: Winter Is Coming. Anybody up for a January LARP event?

[@donaldpenton7939]

Thats a cool mantle, have to make one myself one day, love the leatherworking stuff, and no im not gonna ask you do leatherworking, well maybe just a little, lol, heres an idea tho, make a book, a leather bound spell book, but not just any ordinary spell book, ive seen many made before, so its not really new, might be new for you, but im imagining a wizards lost spell book, maybe has an eye or symbol on the cover, and inside maybe its only half full, and it can contain dnd wizard spells how to cast them etc etc, and it could be auctioned off to a happy dnd player who happens to have a wizard in need of a spell book? Or have a drawing to possibly win it

[@squeeshdafeesh2043]

Mans still tryna get that Tandy sponsor, poor Cl3ver. Twas never meant to be

[@SkillTree]

💔

[@KarlRoyale]

Madi looks awesome and I'm surprised she let you wear it after you made her do ALL the work. Check your mic lately?

[@billlyell8322]

What about putting a strip of edging over the fur skin before sewing it. That always the edging takes the stress of the stitches.

[@MidasApple]

Hey Cl3ver! Going to any events in Westford you'd recommend?

[@redsrp2348]

I just use a larger animal skin 😂. Specifically a deer hide I harvested last season.

[@bluenovacorgi8230]

Make a reindeer antler headdress like from Heilung id love too see u try that, or just a wolf/coyote headdress

[@granthagen2996]

Bro where are your subscribers you should have at least a million with this kinda content! Keep it up my man!

[@catherineleslie-faye4302]

[@joshuahawke1371]

Nicely done!

[@shadowtim3]

I would have to say Matty. She had the solid red shirt so it made it look she was a noblewoman. Your modern shirt kinda killed the look.

[@titusculver]

I want to see you make a duster like you mention in the cloak video. I looked through your video list and didn't see anything on one unless im just blind and missed it.

[@beckymurphy4714]

Neither of you wore it "better" - you both wore it well, just differently. Now add a cloak to it!

[@michaelhickman1137]

Looks Great! Well done Ms Madi!

[@keenanvaughn8453]

the rabbits wore it best. it was made for them. See what I did there? But seriously, it is a nice piece.

[@BigBearAce]

I have a collection of rabbit pelts wanting to make exactly this....but they are just so nice as is and beautiful decorations around the house. Ugh gotta jump and just do it after this lol