Here’s the final part to the making of my BCC!
Five years ago I had the notion to make a harness from scratch. I didn’t get far. Harnesses have so many pieces of lace, buckles, and keepers. So many keepers!
To finish off the bookmobile, I needed a harness. Luckily I have Pinterest and numerous books. I own many books, but these helped the most. I’m so glad I bought the Work Horse book!
To make the harness meant going down the rabbit hole of various types and styles. From looking at photos I realized I needed to make a collar. I bought the hardware and went to work. Here’s a pile of the saddle pieces before assembling!
From there I worked on the bridle. I decided to add an open book to the blinders.
I had so much fun making the tug straps. Sometimes simple pieces are the most fun.
The last part I needed to make was the collar. I looked at numerous photos and referenced Susan Bensema Young’s Guide as a launching point! It took a few tries to get it right. I used different types of leather and different methods of sewing and wrapping wire before I got the effect I wanted.
Finished! I used a Breyer Snowman to wear the harness. One of the funniest parts of the making of this entry was the horse. In the rules entries had to use an Original Finish model. Models had to be Original Finish, minus the sanding of the mane. This didn’t extend to primer. I realized on the day before it was due, I didn’t have an Original Finish model on the Snowman mold. Luckily I live close to Toys on the Square!
The finished harness!
Kristian Beverly 