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Te Ao Hou, July 1958, Page 63

and dry, with vestiges of fat and flesh still adhering to them. There are imperfections and damaged spots. Extensive processing is necessary before they are ready for wear. They are first soaked in a tanning solution to make the pelts soft and pliable. All flesh and fat are removed. Oils are rubbed in and the skins then stretched to make them larger and more pliable. Imperfect spots and damaged areas are removed by drawing together and stitching the trimmed edges. The skins are then matched for size and colour. If a coat is to be made the matched pelts are laid out on a pattern and stitched together to form back, front, collar, sleeves, etc. Then the stitched parts are dampened, stretched and tacked to a board—fur downwards—and allowed to dry. This gives the pieces their permanent shape. Poorer inexpert handling at this stage will result in over-stretched, thin spots, for which a fur garment should always be examined. When the pieces are dry they are cut to pattern and stitched together to make up the complete garment.