going to attempt to make a sporran

[Computergeek]

So here is what I have to start with. I am looking for any and all advice from those that have done this before. Oh, and patterns would be great too. I am going to shoot for something along the Rob Roy style "think of the Freelander style".







Hey guys thanks in advance for any help. I am pretty good with my hands normally, but I haven't attempted anything like this before so wish me luck.
Thanks
Jeremy

[Moosedog]

Hm...Looks like you have most everything you need.

Do you have a leather punch? That, and perhaps a lacing awl (used to widen holes as needed) would be of great help. Depending on the weight and stuffness of the leater, you can either prepunch with a punch and hammer (for stiffer leather) or punch as you go with a handheld punch. A standard revolving one works fine--for softer leater up to 3-4 oz or so there's a special type that works great.

I'd also suggest: before cutting your leather, make a mockup of fabric, plastic or paper to make sure you have sufficient seam allowances and gusset, etc.

Moosedog

[Computergeek]

Thanks for the advice Moosedog, the lady at the leather store recommended that I use a glovers needle. She said that would pierce the leather with out too much trouble and that I should be able to basically sew it like conventional fabric, I am not sure if she was correct or not since I haven't done anything like this before. Do I need to get a punch of some type before I start? as to the weight of the material I am not sure, here is a pic if the thickness compared to my watch band (sorry it is a little blurry it was taken with my Iphone).

[beloitpiper]

I can't give you any tips, but I'll give you encouragement! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Computergeek]

While I was looking for a pattern I came up with another question. What are the dimensions for a large sporran? Bearing in mind I am 6'2" tall and about 215 pounds I want to make sure that it will be appropriately sized. and thanks for the encouragement beloitpiper.

[slohairt]

Here's a link to a pattern:

http://www.nwta.com/patterns/pdfs/291sporr.pdf

[Moosedog]

Computergeek,

Yes, a glover's needle is designed to pierce the leather ( it is quite sharp and usually triangular in cross-section) so just try it out on the leather you have to make sure. (In the photo it looked to me like a pack of regular rounded lacing needles, which do require prepunching.) In any case your fingers will get a bit sore until you are used to hand stitching, so wearing a glove, a leather or other thimble, or a stitching palm will help but is not mandatory. I also usually keep a pair of pliers handy in case I get the needle stuck and can't get a grip on it to pull it thruogh. Just grab it at the tip and pull straight, don't angle or you will bend or break the needle.

If you are indeed sewing it without prepunching, also make sure you mark a line to sew along, otherwise it is easy to wander off course a bit and cause an unsightly pucker or fold along the seam.

Moosedog

[Kilted in Maine]

I have never done this (keep this in mind and others may correct me) BUT I was considering making my own sporran as well and have put a little thought and research into the best method.

As far as stitching, I was planning on using one of these tools to MARK my holes for stitching



http://texasleathercraft.com/proddet...p?prod=8079-05

Then PRE-PUNCH with either an awl or dremel

Then use one of these two methods of stitching:

1. Sewing Awl



http://www.emocs.com/sewingawl.htm

OR

2. Double Needle Hand Stitching




Again, this is from someone who had only put the THOUGHT into doing this and defer to others who have actually DONE it!!!!

[Southern Breeze]

I've done a fair amount of time sewing leather. The sewing kit from Tandy is well worth the price.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/p...umber=11189-00

[turpin]

I use this type of punch exclusively. 4-prong 1/8 inch diamond-shaped tip. Available from Tandy. You punch the first four then put one prong in the last hole - it keeps the spacing precise. I use a dull stitching needle. The artificial sinew is fine.



You may need some veg-tan for the front stiffener and flap.

If you decide to punch (MUCH easier than sewing, even with a glovers needle), when punching the holes, I suggest clamping the front and rear panels together (grain sides in) and punching both at the same time. This ensures the same number of holes front and rear. Similarly, clamp the edges of the gusset together lengthwise to ensure same number of holes in either side. I use those small black paper clamps. PM me and I can supply some more details if you like.