How to Make Horseback Riding Chaps

Chaps are still worn by modern cowboys and cowgirls.

There are several styles of chaps, even for horseback riding. Chaps were originally worn by Spanish cowboys to protect their legs when riding through tall, thorny brush. The leather armor also protected against cow horns and snake bites. For horseback riding, common chap designs include the shotgun leg, in which the legs of the chaps are like gun sheaths, and batwings, a simpler design to implement.

Things You'll Need

• Leather hide
• Belt
• Straps
• Buckles
• Heavy duty thread
• Heavy duty sewing machine
• Needle and awl

Instructions

1. Cut out two batwing legs from a single hide for durability. Measure around your upper thigh, around your calf, and your inseam to achieve the right shape. You can use an old pair of loose-fitting jeans to help with the measurements.

   To make your own pattern, start with two pieces of hide in a rectangular shape, wide enough to wrap around the widest part of your leg. Cut off the top corners using curved cuts. The remaining top edge is where the chaps attach to a belt. The inner and outer curves are for comfort. The inside curve should be shallower, just deep enough to open around the crotch area. The outside broader and reversed curve should be deeper, as it cups around your hip, leaving an opening so you can reach your pants pockets while wearing the chaps. When the chaps are wrapped around your leg, this outer curve dips down so that it cups beneath your butt. Now the tops of your rectangles should have both corners cut off and replaced with curves.

   Cut the legs long enough to match your inseam, leaving the portion just under the curves wide enough to wrap around your thigh. Cut along the sides, tapering the bottom a little, as your calf will be smaller than your thigh. Batwing chaps are not a tight fit, so leave the bottom with room to flap. When finished, each chap leg should wrap around one of your legs with a single piece of hide.

   You can opt to make the sides more decorative by cutting them with a scalloped edging. You can also trim the lower corners, making them rounded. These are decorative choices.

2. Sew the two leg pieces together at the bottom of the curve that opens around the crotch. Use heavy duty thread and stitch this portion well, as sitting on it will cause it to wear. If desired, hem the edges around the chaps for a more finished and decorative look.

3. Attach the top of the chaps to a leather belt. Position the belt so that it buckles in the back. For this, you will need a heavy duty sewing machine or you will have to use a needle and an awl. An awl is a simple spike-like tool (available at leather craft shops) used to punch holes in leather for hand sewing. Using a thin leather belt will make the work easier.

4. Sew on three pairs of straps to each of the pant legs. Sew the straps (one strap with a buckle and the other with holes) to either side of the batwing leg so that the batwing wraps around the front and sides of the leg, buckling in back. Place one pair of straps behind the upper thigh, another pair just above the knee and the third pair behind the calf.

5. (Optional) Add on any side fringe or metal conchos as desired for decoration. Conchos (rounded metal discs popular in western wear) can be found at most craft stores, usually in the jewelry or belt-making sections.

References

• Nagrom Farm: Make Your Own Chaps
• Slade Saddle Shop: Chaps & Chinks
• Leather Supply: Batwing Chaps Pattern