Leslie Stonechild

Dancers,
I am making my first set of bells and need some advice for the backside of the leather.
I am punching holes and using wire to attach the bell to the leather. Now where the leather and tied wire are I need some advice on the material used to proctect your ankle/skin.

OR

Do you just tough it out?

Slip sliding until i fall down

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Where's the Pow-wow at????

WocusWoman

I would suggest backing with another piece of leather, or I've seen fleece lining or sheeps skin. I made my son's sets using sinew to hold his bells on; of course it wears out faster, but don't have to worry about wire cutting into his ankles.

Leslie Stonechild

I have found another use for DUCT tape. Thank the people who invented, I will be placing down strips on top of the wire tie offs. Will think about the fleece lining, sheepskin or felt. Perhaps some softer leather then what I am using to attach the bells too will work.

I am using 1 1/4" sleigh bells.

__________________
Where's the Pow-wow at????

WocusWoman

Hey not the first time duct tape will come in handy, I have to hand it to the white man for inventing duct tape, and blue tarps!!!

nightwalker7

duc tape is good and all but you dont wana doi comp. with it either do fleece or leather man.
liljosh

WhoMe

Leslie,

The fleece lining is the way to go.

Cut your leather to the size that fits your ankle. Make the holes for the bells metal loops and draw sting, to be inserted. With an awl or hole punch, make holes at 1/2 inch intervals all around the edges of the leather. For holding the bells secure, slide a steel band through the metal loops to hold them securely, the length of the leather backside (Steel band can be obtained from construction sites. They are the steel bands used around brick racks).

Cut the fleece the same size of your leather strip and sew it on the back of the leather, with fleece on the outside - using your punched holes as a pattern. (use carpet needles and sinew). Insert the drawstring into the premade holes.

This technique is sturdy and will keep your ankles from getting holes in them from the metal loops.

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe