Pursuit of the perfect pair......of leggings.

[Horsewright]

Ya know how things seem to go in groups. Famous people die in threes etc. Ain't seen so and so in years and then run into em twice at the store and once at the post office? Well its kinda been that way lately for us and some of our orders. I have made different kinds of leggings for cowboys for many years. Nichole was guesstimating and figured I was pushing probably 500 pairs over the years. Even still they have never been a huge part of our business. Make a couple three pair and then don't make any for a few months and then get an order for a pair etc. Even at one point I was contemplating not making them any more to concentrate more on my knives. But decided to motor on. Well something happened, don't know what, but there has been a torrential bursting of the legging floodgates. We've made 10 pair in the last 6 weeks and have several more orders in line. I say we cause Nichole and I have gone to tag teaming these. I do most of the cutting (which includes adjusting for sizes), glueing up and most of the fringe cutting while Nichole will do the sewing, any tooling and the leg strap work. This has proven to be very efficient.

Making leggings is a little different than sheaths. Sheaths to me is mostly detail work. In leggings you have lots of detail work but then you have the big pic and if all the detail work isn't good the big pic ain't either. They are fun to make though. Thought I'd share a few pics with ya. These range from a relatively plain pair to the fanicest pair we've ever made. Questions and commnets are welcome of course.

My buddy is modeling this pair for us before they head to WA state. That is one of my Leatherman sheaths there on his belt too. What is kind of unique about this pair and I'd never really done this before, is that some of the accent pieces are roughout as can be seen in this pic. This pair also uses a "wrap and tie" system instead of a waist belt. Two long strings of leather go around the waist from behind and then tie in the front under the apron fringe. While this may seem a little cumbersom its very comfortable as the soft leather conforms to you easily.

Here's a pair for a local gal that Nichole was wearing for some pics before the gal swung by to pick them up. Camel colored leg with maroon accents. Nichole made her spur straps too, they are out of horsehide.

This pair fastens at the waist with a regular belt and buckle. The two different styles of waist fastening is an option that we let the customer choose.

This pair was made for a local young roper and rodeo guy. He's only 14 and these were a birthday present from his grandma. A bone leg color with almost a french blue fringe. Notice that the fringe along the leg is sewn on with matching blue thread. Kind of a cool little touch that really added something. One of those details. Basket stamped tops with his intials. This type of legging is constructed different than the others above. The belt in the back is laced on instead of sewn and there is a small light belt (designed to break if a guy were to get hung up) that connects in the front.

 

[Horsewright]

Here's a detail shot that shows how the lacing works. This gives a lot of adjustment and makes them simple to put on and off.

He had his new dog with him when he came to pick up his leggings. Ain't she cool!

Then got started on this pair for our friend Julie. Fully carved tops and lots of silver. She's wearing them here and all her stitching was done with a contrasting blue thread.

Nichole and Julie spent hours picking the right leathers and silver for this job.

She had her Horsewright spur straps on with copper buckles when she came to pick up her leggings. We've found it very important to measure folks in their boots that they normally ride in to get the fit right on the leggings.

Now the fancy pair. These we made for Nichole, not that she needed a new pair but she did want a new pair. Double fringe on the top, turqouise with white underneath and double fringe on the leg too, brown with turqouise underneath. Turqouise contrasting stitching too.

She embroidered our brand on a little piece of leather and sewed it on. Nichole really prefers the wrap and tie system and all her leggings for years have been that way.

This front view shows how the double fringe works.

First ride:

So ther they are, well at least some fo them. Thanks for looking.

 

[Salolan]

Gorgeous stuff as always Dave.

Chris

 

[Bailey Boat]

At the risk of sounding like a total dude (which I am) what is the difference between "leggings" and "chaps"??? And what is the advantage of each??

 

[WEB2]

Leggings=california english for chaps...

 

[Horsewright]

Close Web, close LOL. To us leggings is a generic term meaning all types of well ..leggings. So chaps certainly are leggings too but a specific type. There are batwing chaps which are a TX/ AZ kind a deal for the most part although occasionally seen here, (I've never made any batwings). Shotgun chaps which fit closely along each leg and are fastened usually with a zipper. Lay em out flat and they look like the twin barrels of a double shotgun hence the name. I've made several hundred pair of shotguns but will only make them now if you can come here for ME to measure you, or if you have an old pair that fit you well and you make me a tracing of the leg. Too many times folks can't get their measurements right and there is no adjustment in shotguns if you miss the circumfrence of your thigh by 4". Guy told me his upper thigh wa 24" which I didn't question cause thats a pretty normal thigh measurement. Well it was 28" but I made the chaps for 24". Can't fix that. Then there are chinks which there are two pair of depicted above. The pair with the veg tan tops that are carved or basket stamped. They fasten in the front with a buckle. The other types pictured are charmitas. They have an apron with fringe that goes all the way across the front. They are a combination of chinks and an old type seen here in Calif called armitas. The armitas were usually a very light leather either deer or elk without any hardware. Wrap and tie waist and the legs were laced together instead of using buckles and straps. Armitas are still seen today and I've made a few pair, they are often referred to now as step ins cause you have to step into them because of the laced leg.

 

[Macan]

Maybe the reason of better sales are excellent and interesanting photos you always post( facebook also I think) I always enjoy watching them:thumbup:

 

[pugs75]

Your work inspires me, great as usual.

 

[Horsewright]

Thanks Chris and Macan. Macan if ya like the pics lots more on Instagram than on Facebook. Link in my signature. Thank-you Pugs and thanks for your service!