When Traditional isn't Traditional

Hobbyists group model horses into several groups based on size designations that Breyer gave them years ago. Traditional (1:9 scale) was the earliest group/scale and is a highly popular size for collectors (and my personal favorite.)

But just because a model is a certain scale, that doesn't mean there aren't variations in height or length within the scale.

My black point Proud Arabian Mare is traditional scale

and so is Carter (Dundee). But look at how long he is in comparison to the PAM. (He is shorter, too.) My standard, traditional-sized haversack is never going to fit him.

I no longer have just one reference card with standardized measurements like this one; I now have several that are mold-specific to accommodate the different heights and lengths within a scale.

Recently I was asked to make one for Dundee by a customer who was interested in two fabrics that I had in stock.

After folding the first piece into a mock haversack to check fit, it was clear that I did not have enough left of this fabric. It was too narrow - there was hardly any space for side seams let alone expansion when the model would be put inside.

The other fabric she wanted was wider and would work, except that the flap for closing the haversack would not be as deep as I wanted. She agreed when I asked if I could add velcro. (Since I dislike having velcro around my models, I make deep flaps on my haversacks so they don't need it to keep them shut.)

It is difficult to push pins through velcro so I ended up using embroidery clips to secure it while I stitched.

Two things had to work for the final check - one, that the model would fit inside the finished haversack, 

and two, that the haversack could close securely. The haversack passed both tests and the customer approved the piece in photos that I sent her.

Here is a photo of three haversacks, all for models classed as traditionals. You can see how the one for Dundee is longer and shorter.

Sometimes traditional just isn't traditional.