How exactly to make elk leather

[Brygun]

On the leather mass used to make a skin I always assumed you were looking for a large sheet to as to minimize the amount of stitching. Some of the the cut away is used to make the hanging strap and possibly even the stitching.

Technically you could in real life use lots of small birds to make a water skin but you'd have so many more seams.

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I used to have characters carry a cup of water as an emergency hydration aide.  I'd image one would make a leather cover for the cup or something.

Or perhaps balance the water cup on your head like a Japanese Kappa.