Braided Leather Sporran Strap

**O'Neille** · 11th November 07, 05:32 PM

I made a plain sporran strap for my Welsh Dragon sporran. I wore it to the Tucson Highland Games last week. Somehow the strap was a little plain for the sporran and it needed a little kick. I'd seen braided sporran straps before but I knew I could knock some out today and avoid the Jones!

First I made an identical strap to the previous one I had made. A strip cutter works great. Without one I'd have used a metal yardstick and a utility knife.

The previous strap was 5/8 inch so I eyeballed three equal strips and cut them between the buckle and tab leaving enough on each end for attaching the buckle and adding some holes. After I finished I found out that you loose about 10% in both length and width when braiding three strands. So I made another longer strap 3/4 inch with equal 1/4 inch strips. I planned on trimming the ends when the braiding was done. This worked out great.

All edges of the braided section were finished before braiding.

The first strap provided experience in 3 strand trick braiding. I found some braiding instruction on the web and deciphered it. http://www.saroftreve.com/wwl/braiding/3trick.shtml Clamping the work to a firm surface makes it much easier.

If you can braid three separate strands, you can do this. It's simpler than the instructions.

Start with buckle end clamped with smooth side up and tab end towards you. I hold the loose end in my teeth.

Start braiding right over middle and then left over middle.

Take the end straight up and to the right of the middle strand, bring it around and turn over 180 degrees to right.

Continue braiding right over middle and left over middle.

Take the end straight up and to the left of the middle strand, bring it around and turn it 180 degrees to the left.

Now! just braid another right over middle left over middle braid and you have a flat piece of leather ready to go another series. (the last right over middle left over middle brings what looks like a mess on the tooth end up to the clamped end.

Repeat.

It goes quite fast once you get it down.

All braided up. I just messed with it until the tension evened up along the braided length.

Trim 1/16th inch off each side of each end and prepare buckle holes.

Don't forget to finish the exposed edges you just created. Sew or rivet the buckle and you're finished.

I'm going to submit this part, reveal the finished product and maybe make my first video of the braiding technique. I love the internet. Where else can you get free instruction in obscure crafts without knowing someone or searching for a book on the subject?

**O'Neille** · 11th November 07, 05:46 PM

Here it is.

And with my Stewart of Appin kilt with "fly pin"

Just look at the sporran strap, I know I'm a mess. It was in the high 80s today so I've been in my boxers all day. I threw the kilt on to get a shot of the strap on a kilt. I'm off to see if I can make a video of the braiding technique.

**ccga3359** · 11th November 07, 05:58 PM

Looking good O'Neille. I think with a little massaging the strap will lay better. For more braiding option one should go to their library and check out Ashley's book of knots.

**McMurdo** · 11th November 07, 06:01 PM

Very nice looking strap, you do amaze me with all the different skills you possess, where oh where would we be with out the interweb?

**canawler** · 11th November 07, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by O'Neille

All edges of the braided section were finished before braiding.

Ok, this is an extremely basic leatherworking question but how exactly do you finish raw edges? I've seen the term "slicking" on here but I've never heard how to do it.

**O'Neille** · 11th November 07, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Looking good O'Neille. I think with a little massaging the strap will lay better. For more braiding option one should go to their library and check out Ashley's book of knots.

It will get the hades massaged out of it when I wear it tomorrow. I've got the video made and now I'll figure out how to post it.

What's a library? I've spent hundreds, maybe thousands, of hours looking for information that was not available, mis-shelved or missing before everything became electronic. I subscribe to several online book and research retrieval plans so I never have to waste my time again.

**Fedgunner** · 11th November 07, 07:21 PM

Guid oon ye!!!!

**O'Neille** · 11th November 07, 08:11 PM

My first published video. Let's see if this works. If it does I have a sense of accomplishment compounded for the day.

**ccga3359** · 11th November 07, 08:22 PM

Video worked for me. Great work.

**turpin** · 11th November 07, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by canawler

Ok, this is an extremely basic leatherworking question but how exactly do you finish raw edges? I've seen the term "slicking" on here but I've never heard how to do it.

There are several ways. I like to take a piece of white or natural duck cloth. Rub a bar of glycerine soap or a piece of beeswax along the cut edges of the strap. You can use gum tragacanth as well, which is specific for edges and you get from a leather store.

When the stuff is applied to the edges, just run the duck cloth over and over (and over and over) in one direction down the edges. This way you can do both edges at once. Just keep on stroking until you're happy with the outcome.