Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: Michelle_Nelson on February 12, 2009, 12:07:45 AM

Title: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 12, 2009, 12:07:45 AM: This is a picture of my Felt Color Table. I sewed it together so I wouldn't have to dig out all my felt when it came time for a customer to pick the colors of felt they wanted on their rug.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0325.jpg&hash=205684258e44984ad3c9747a9fa2b6a07dc27dd9)

From Top to Bottom:

1. Black 12. Orange
2. Charcoal 13. Gold
3. Grey 14. Yellow
4. Navy Blue 15. Hunter Green
5. Royal Blue 16. Kelly Green
6. Crystal Blue 17. Pirate Green
7. Baby Blue 18. Coco Brown
8. Purple 19. Walnut Brown
9. Baby Pink 20. Tan
10. Ruby 21. Ivory
11. Red 22. White

I have a few more colors that are not on the Table yet.

23. Cranberry ( which is Ruby with a slight black marbling)
24. Antique Gold

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a couple pictures of Rugs that I did the stretching and rug work on. These are rugs for another Taxidermist so I did not mount the heads in them or am I going to do the finnish work. None of the faces and heads on these rugs are finnished out. Just keep in mind that not all taxidermists will carry the same colors or use the same names for the colors. I'm posting the pic's so you can see what some of the colors together look like.

The 2 Bear and 2 Cougar Rugs were done with a Heavy ruffle!

First Bear (Black): Top felt - Hunters Green
   Bottom felt - Black

Second Bear (Chocolate): Top felt - Gold
   Bottom felt - Coco Brown

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0309.jpg&hash=c6e47066b2519601a48a626f244c2a3b5f5da1c3)

Both Cougars: Top felt - Tan
   Bottom felt - Coco Brown

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0310.jpg&hash=8ecd004884779304a3e542e98c7d8fb3ec6d7e8d)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0312.jpg&hash=be7ccf23b8b689a9523cc6a5a30cccb0558cab97)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 12, 2009, 12:15:48 AM: Here is a Bear Rug I did for one of my customers who is also a member on the sight.

Top felt - Cranberry
Bottom felt - Black

Not sure what I would call this felt pattern. Basicly it is flat with pleets around curves on the hide. Such as the head, flanks, and paws. This is the way I do all the felt on my customer rugs unless they request more of a ruffle.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0683-1.jpg&hash=0e33ce83d8141619d50f93b86753f90f499b4158)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0688-1.jpg&hash=6b328d8f5e953054a5576315745434976d1d712f)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: 509er on February 12, 2009, 05:12:04 AM: look good
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: boneaddict on February 12, 2009, 06:23:36 AM: Cranberry and black are one of my faves on blackbears. I've never used the ruffle before though, just flat with scalloped edges. It would have to grow on me.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 12, 2009, 06:26:59 AM: Nice work Michelle keep it up!!!
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: bowhuntin on February 12, 2009, 06:35:55 AM: Nice looking rugs. Good work.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: bucklucky on February 12, 2009, 07:37:25 AM: That cranberry looks good, I also like the charcoal on black and the DARK green on black. Nice ruggin Mich.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 12, 2009, 11:49:54 AM: For backing I normally use Black because it goes with everything.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0316.jpg&hash=da25c49342076ac3e0b520d1888ca415ca9901fe)

Though I did manage to come across some camouflage about 2 weeks ago. The Camo is twice the price I can get the regular backing for. It is something different and not all that much more to have changed out. I havn't yet gone back to see if I can get any more varieties of Camo yet. I hope they carry more.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0326.jpg&hash=04c966181725075960b2a173640726e5d8386ebd)

Realtree apHD
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0327.jpg&hash=ef26a6d36546a3f8042bafe9b81e49963126dfb4)

Mossy Oak Break Up.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0328.jpg&hash=02f4ab65bf42604ba8ec72603b13f0598c5aa3cf)

All my rugs come with hangers. Usually one in each foot and the head. In the first picture you can see where each of my hangers are located. The hanger at the base of the tail normally isn't thier but was requested by the individual wanting the rugs done. On grizzly I usually add a couple extra.

The hangers are sewen through all layers and including the leather. That way when they are hung up the hide is what supports the weight. If I sewed them only to the backing it could tear the backing or the stiches holding the backing under the weight of the rug.

Some don't put hangers at all and tell you to staple it to the wall with the felt. Felt is one of the weakest materals used on a rug. You can pull it apart by hand. Over time the nails or staples can pull out of the felt and do serius damage to the felt.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0321.jpg&hash=d847adc0e26ebafc96b623251421ed36b5d8f225)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0322.jpg&hash=d7f2754896e5e2074710b22298c0bca44c674f08)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: mossback91 on February 12, 2009, 11:54:29 AM: Camo would be cool
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: boneaddict on February 12, 2009, 04:51:19 PM: nice that you sew your backing in. I know a few that glue theirs.....not impressed.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 12, 2009, 06:26:06 PM: If you want to see a glue job go look at that Bear Rug that is hanging by the front door at Cabelas. That this is coming apart. :o

The only areas on my rugs that have glue is on the feet. I sew all the way up the leg to each outside toe. So the only thing being glued to the felt is the toes. I leave the hair on the bottom of the foot on my rugs. I work the glue in really well on both the felt and into the hair on the bottom of the foot before attaching them together.

I have tried pulling the felt off the feet and the felt will tear well befor that glue comes apart.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: LongTatLaw on February 13, 2009, 12:44:33 PM: Looking good Mich!

Say...who's bear is that on the hot tub? Thats a damn dangerous man eating monster right there! :o ;)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Ray on February 14, 2009, 10:30:12 PM: Nice rugs. Good topic.

For a black colored bear --
I like the cranberry with black as well as the hunter green with black. I believe I have also seen cocoa brown on the inside with black on the outside before. If I recall it looked good.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 17, 2009, 09:51:43 AM: Most of the time when you have a Black Bear the bottom layer of Felt chosen is normally Black with a different color as a break up between the hide and botton layer of felt.

Sorta the same way on Color Phase Bear. Most people pick a color close to that of the color of the Bear as the bottom layer. Than pick a different color felt to put between the hide and bottom layer of felt.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 22, 2009, 05:47:23 PM: Here is another Cougar Rug that I did the stretching and rug work on. None of the finnish work has been done on the face. That is the Taxi's job once they get them back.

Top felt - Tan
Bottom felt - Antique Gold

The felt is a Heavy Ruffle!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FSANY0351.jpg&hash=594797bd464c535a631a74bed259238dd806f8ba)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Ray on August 25, 2009, 08:04:37 PM: Lookin good
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Ridgerunner on August 25, 2009, 08:19:47 PM: Nice idea, I really like the hunter green on black for a black phase bear, that is what I will be doing when its time to get a rug done(hopefully soon).
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 13, 2009, 08:28:31 PM: Tho most popular colors for Black Bears that I have had requests for have been

Cranberry/Black,
Dark Brown/Black,
Hunters Green/Black.

Pretty close in that order.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: WCTaxidermy on September 15, 2009, 04:30:20 PM: Those are cool looking rugs Michelle. Great work! ;) John
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on September 15, 2009, 08:06:18 PM: Quote from: WCTaxidermy on September 15, 2009, 04:30:20 PM
Those are cool looking rugs Michelle. Great work! ;) John

For sure, Michelle! Excellent work and a great topic!
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on December 23, 2009, 03:27:08 PM: Rays Bear added to the felt color referance.

Top felt - Coco Brown
Bottom felt - Black

The felt is a Medium Ruffle!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2F100_4867.jpg&hash=78c91da431421f59279bcce0d3f189ea869dd675)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2F2.jpg&hash=ab04fb518d9f96189658adf6d2ce9a11a86f2599)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: washelkhntr on December 23, 2009, 03:31:12 PM: Ohhhh, I like that one. Looks good Michelle!
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Rgrady35 on December 23, 2009, 03:39:07 PM: Now I wanna shoot a bear. Those are beautiful!
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 20, 2011, 12:31:00 PM: This one squared off at 6' 5.

Top felt - Coco Brown
Bottom felt - Black

The felt is a Medium Ruffle!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FC0046a.jpg&hash=00f872bd922d0efea6234cb4e033702ec1499147)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FC0046c.jpg&hash=a4cac9a8d0e723b06587a238831838e6764e4efc)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 20, 2011, 12:36:26 PM: Here is a really neat looking Color Phase. It stretched out at 6' 3".

Top felt - Coco Brown
Bottom felt - Tan

The felt is a Medium Ruffle!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FC0034a.jpg&hash=eae48515f079fa58003fe47979abf8e9c4666ea8)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FC0034b.jpg&hash=a6720e89c49d7b7284d033fc5e50f3792c5d27f5)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 20, 2011, 12:42:03 PM: Here is a Cinnamon Bear that squared off at 5' 10".

Top felt - Tan
Bottom felt - Coco Brown

The felt is a Medium Ruffle!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FC0043c.jpg&hash=9f3d8ed476a1e69a032dfcfe7363c60a9774c370)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FC0043a.jpg&hash=8279e1f9ba450d0466cd25a2650de03f16850a54)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: bucklucky on April 20, 2011, 01:01:14 PM: Have you done any pink borders yet :dunno:
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: MDGrand on April 21, 2011, 08:21:22 AM: The Cennamon one is exactly what I am hoping for next week in MT.

THANK YOU for posting these pictures as it gives me a clear understanding of the options. Very nice work. Can't wait to get mine.... its been 3 years in the making!
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 04, 2011, 10:40:03 AM: Quote from: bucklucky on April 20, 2011, 01:01:14 PM
Have you done any pink borders yet :dunno:

No. but I can when ever you get around to killing one. :chuckle: I'll even use Purple as your second felt color.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: bucklucky on August 04, 2011, 11:34:03 AM: Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on August 04, 2011, 10:40:03 AM
Quote from: bucklucky on April 20, 2011, 01:01:14 PM
Have you done any pink borders yet :dunno:

No. but I can when ever you get around to killing one. :chuckle: I'll even use Purple as your second felt color.

LMAO!! Lets do it :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Coastal_native on August 04, 2011, 12:12:01 PM: Michelle,

I have a bobcat and cougar rug that have a single layer of black felt, with no ruffle and no hooks. The hides and heads look great in my opinion, but overall they're missing some good finnish work. Is it possible to take them apart and re-felt them? If so, is it worth your time? And finally, is that a time consuming (expensive) part of doing rug work?
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 04, 2011, 12:24:36 PM: It depends on how they were assembled, with glue, sewing, or a combination. If it's not time consuming to pull them apart your probably looking at roughly $50 per L/F to do the cougar and maybe $125 or little more to do the Bobcat.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: bucklucky on August 04, 2011, 12:32:26 PM: That sounds way worth it to me to have a nice felt job done . I bet it would make the rugs way more presentable. I wonder if the old one was hot glued or machine sewn. Im betting hot glue?
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Coastal_native on August 04, 2011, 12:49:40 PM: Sounds reasonable to me too. It sounds like it'd be best to bring 'em in and let you take a look. I think they're mostly hot glued, with a little stitching...the flat single layer of black felt looks lame. I get depressed when I look at the work on this site. If I can get an approval for expenditure from my wife, I'll be in touch with you. Either way...I sure am gonna miss my old taxi :)
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 04, 2011, 12:54:08 PM: E-mail me some pictures.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: bucklucky on August 04, 2011, 01:07:41 PM: Better take the wife out and butter her up a little first :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 13, 2013, 12:05:01 PM: Here are some examples of felt colors to go along with the other thread.
Title: Re: Rugs and Felt Colors
Post by: steen on October 13, 2013, 09:23:19 PM: Very interesting post Michelle!!! Very nice color combos. You live very near to a very dear friend of mine!!!!