Latest sporran project

**Tartan Hiker** · 19th January 08, 04:34 PM

At the Royal Scots Dragoons concert this past week I was constantly bothered by the fact that the metal cantle on my formal sporran kept clanging against my belt buckle. I decided that it was time that I made myself a "semi-formal" without any metal on top for those times when I was in jacket sans waistcoat. I have also been dissatisfied with the size of my formal sporran...way too small for easy use. This past summer I acquired a dandy goat hide for just such a project, so while the snow sputtered outside I got started on my project. Here are some photos of the progress. Pics grow when clicked.

Front leather that will eventually be covered with goat hide.

Stitching in the gusset. Plenty wide for easy access to sporran contents.

Pieces n' parts!

Goat hide attached.

Fancy disc riveted in place.

Shot of the inside. There's a divider inside to keep my wallet handy, and a magnetic clasp rather than the usual snap.

Will post more photos later...gotta go make a roux for tonight's dinner: crawfish etouffe, french bread, and cold Dixie longnecks.

**SteveB** · 19th January 08, 04:55 PM

Pretty Grand already. I like the divider idea. I am using a set of pockets in mine made from denim. Sort of like a tool caddy for the five gallon pail shrunk to fit a sporran. Change pocket, vehicle key pocket, wallet pocket, building keys pocket, and handkerchief pocket. When i need contents out to put on trousers at work, the whole mess slide out and unsnaps into segments for the trouser pockets. A divider, would make the process better. Thanks for the idea, and how to make it work.
--- Steve

**James MacMillan** · 19th January 08, 05:02 PM

Nice work so far - can't wait for the finished project.

And I should add that I ma really jealous of your workbench!

**McMurdo** · 19th January 08, 05:08 PM

Excellent work thus far, I can't wait to see the finished sporran, how were the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards? Inquiring minds want to know.

**Joe Gondek** · 19th January 08, 07:04 PM

It really looks good so far
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product

Its great to see so many people making their own kit

**SFCRick** · 19th January 08, 09:29 PM

Very nice work

**Tartan Hiker** · 19th January 08, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

how were the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards? Inquiring minds want to know.

Great show! The pipe band was a bit smaller than I expected (10 pipers), but they were very good. The Band of the Coldstream Guards were great. They even broke out with a string quintet, a vocalist, and an 18th century reenactment military band with period instruments. Very interesting...not your typical show at all.

James, the workbench is one of my prized possessions. My late father was a civil engineer and a do-it-yourselfer of the first order, and he made that bench. He always wanted to learn how to do leatherwork but never got around to it, so when I do leather projects on that bench it's a bit more special.

I just finished the sporran. I'll give the leather a good buffing in the morning and try to get some photos.

**O'Neille** · 19th January 08, 10:38 PM

Looks nice, but I'm coveting that sturdy looking workbench. Can't wait to see it finished.

**Tartan Hiker** · 20th January 08, 11:15 AM

OK, here's the finished sporran. I considered adding rivets to the cantle like I've seen on others of this style, but decided to keep it plain instead. I can always add some later, but once the holes are punched, you're stuck with them.
Likewise, I considered tassels, but goats have a ridge of stiff hairs growing right down the middle of the back, and the center tassel would lie right on top of this ridge of hair. I decided to not interfere with the natural beauty of the hair by adding tassels.

Here it is up close (sorry for the off-kilter hang...it's 12 degrees outside and neither my wife nor I were anxious to stay out any longer than necessary!)

Here is a shot of the whole outfit, fresh from church. Thanks to Retro Red for inspiring me with his shots of the X-Marks tartan with charcoal hose and shirt. The tie is golden yellow (again, sorry for the poor quality photo) to pick up the yellow stripe in the tartan.

And since this is the first time I've posted photos of my X-Marks kilt that I finished a few weeks back, here is a pleat shot.

Come to think of it, I made not only the kilt, flashes and sporran, but also the sporran strap, the kilt belt, and the sgian dubh.