I am thinking of making a plains quiver--and I need to see some pictures of the proper way to wear it.Any help would be appreciated.
I believe it was pine hollow long bows were I saw the plains style quiver. They may be able to help you with the proper way to wear and use one.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Random/th_dscn2543.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Random/?action=view¤t=dscn2543.jpg)
that's one way. With my coat on it'd ride a little higher on my right hip (I'm right handed). I prefer to wear them on my strong side rather than my left. Wearing 'em on the weak side makes perfect sense when riding on horseback (try it on a bike sometime ;) ), but when going through the thick brush I find it easier to get around when high on my right hip. I can grab it easily and still have my bow arm free to get my bow through the thick stuff.
When you start looking at surviving examples you notice the quivers from heavily forested areas and where horses weren't as common were commonly worn on the strong side.
Really it all comes down to what works for you. I know people who like them slung real low instead of high on the hip. That doesn't work for me, but to each his(her) own.
Since I've been asked twice now:
"weak side" is your bow arm side
"strong side" is your string hand side
:D
If you're unsure of which side you like it on, just make the quiver to look good on either side :) The other option, and one I constantly recommend to people who want to make one of these quivers, is to do a mock up.
Take an old pair of jeans and cut the bottom of the leg off at arrow length. Sew the bottom closed (either flat or with an oval added to the bottom) slide in a dowel or arrow and attach a rope for a strap. Presto! A plains-style quiver that took only minutes to make and you can play around with it until you find exactly what you like! Save the expensive leather for when you have the design down.
Good elk or moose leather in the 6-8oz range is usually $6-9 per sq foot. Garment tanned cow in the 5-7oz range is generally a little cheaper. Something I've been playing with is the 2-3oz garment tanned cow. It's tough, readily available from upholstery shops at only a few dollars a sq foot and should hold up well.