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Green University®
2 McKeown Lane
Cardwell, MT 59721
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Green University® LLC Presents...
A Fashionable Experience

Sewing Buckskin Clothing

with Raye Schmalstig
River Camp: Cardwell, Montana. December 8 - 10, 2026

      Sewing with buckskin is truly exciting and just a little bit terrifying. How do you make that first cut after all the hard work that goes into fleshing, scraping, and softening a beautiful hide? The Buckskin Clothing Workshop is an opportunity to gather with friends around the fire and sew your own beautiful, durable buckskin outfit. Make shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, leggings, hoodies, pullovers, jackets, moccasins, bags, backpacks... whatever you can dream up from your own pile of hides tanned either at home or here during the Braintan Marathon.

Tailoring a buckskin jacket.       Buckskin itself is a timeless material, utilized by our ancestors for thousands of years. Nevertheless, the art of making clothing is subject to lifestyle changes and fashion trends. When the craft of braintanning was revived from a nearly lost art, most early braintanners looked to the mountain men and Native Americans for traditional buckskin clothing designs. People made beautiful, authentic clothing that was ideal for historical reenactments and primitive skills gatherings, but couldn't be worn downtown without becoming a spectacle. Now, the emerging fashion trend is to make buckskin clothing for everyday wear, even down town.

      Browse through the fashion gallery to spark ideas for creating your own fashionable braintan buckskin clothing. Whatever your fancy, compare notes and refine patterns with input from fellow students and any available instructors. Learn tips and techniques for crafting and sewing with buckskin, and get advice to help bring your projects to successful fruition.

No Drugs, Alcohol, or Tobacco
      Green University®: LLC is a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free learning establishment. Our staff maintains a sober environment for individuals who are excited about nurturing a deeper nature connection. Anyone distracted with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs is not focused on learning or optimizing their experience at Green University® LLC. Therefore, we have a zero tolerance policy for drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in any form. Anyone violating this rule will be asked to leave. This is not a joke. Please read this paragraph again before signing up. Thank you.

      Cost: $450. To register, please fill out and mail in the Medical History (PDF) and Liability Waiver and Release (PDF) forms, along with a check for $150 to reserve your spot. The balance can be paid upon arrival. Or register online through the shopping cart system and send the paperwork separately.