This is how a large hole (1 inch by 2 inch) in a tanned skin is removed in order to keep all the square inches of fur and not disrupt the character of the pelt when blocked
Only the hole is removed.This is basic,there are lots of other techniques for working other species that have more complex fur characteristics.

Thanks for sharing Boco, that is a very nice repair.

I will post a pic of the skin after blocking.

Cool. Thanks for showing us.

This method seems like it would create less wrinkles than just sewing the hole shut, is that accurate?

Yes correct,and you dont lose any extra square inches of fur except for the hole itself.
Small holes you can just cut a small wedge and discard,but big holes when you do that affects the character of the pelt and flow of the fur because of the loss a large part of the pelt.You cannot block it out to a uniform shape if you remove a large amount of square inches of fur.

Here is the skin blocked out-you can see the shape is normal and the flow of the fur(character) is not crooked,or interupted.




There are different techniques of cutting and sewing to preserve all the usable square inches of fur and not affect the character of the repaired pelt for irregular shaped holes or groups of holes

Very helpful! Thanks! I sewed a hat last year, it came out pretty good but I didn't block it and the wrinkles made things kind of tough. Now I have a possum blocking to attempt some mittens due to your posts!

Thats great. Possum isnt a very strong leather though is it?
Let me know how you make out.
Blocking takes the excess stretch out of the leather and makes it easier to sew-also a hat wont get baggy and mis shapen with wear.

Boco - what is your preferred method for blocking tanned fur?

Depends on the use.
If you are cutting strips,best to block square.