Sporran #2 WIP

[artificer]

Howdy All,
Now that Sporran #1 is winging its way toward our own highland mafia I thought I'd start #2.

I promised myself that I'd actually stop to shoot a few WIP pix this time

Here are the primary parts. The backing has been dyed and glued to the facings already and the gusset is ready to be sewn on.


Here's a detail shot of the front panel.

You'll note my secret tool, the spring clamp! I LOVE these things! They can hold two sections together for stitching without 'drift', clamp glue-ups, or just keep odd bits tidy and out of the way until needed.

Below is a shot of the actual colours (or as close as I could get). Shot after the gusset was attached to the front panel.

As you can see, the colour of the faces is a VERY odd green. It's almost the colour of an alligator or a turtle shell. Very dark, greenish with an olive tint.

It's a small sample I had (from my prior career) that I thought would be very nice mated to a nice soft black gusset. That way it looks okay to have a black belt and sporran strap, and will probably match your tac-boots (if you're wearing camo, or a MUG).

Here's a shot of the side after the gusset was glued to the back. It's now just waiting to dry and then the lacing around the laminated edges will begin.


Lastly, a 1/4 front view as it sits right now waiting for the glue to dry.
With a bit of luck I'll have this one laced and finished tomorrow.


As always, constructive comments are welcome and invited.

Thanks for looking!

[kiltedwolfman]

looks great, I always find the gusset to be a pain in the arse, but it looks to me like you have a handle on it. If you could explain your method with the gusset I'd be appreciative.

Cheers

[artificer]

Thanks kiltedwolfman! What are your thoughts on the leather colours?

As to the gusset-

The gusset isn't really too difficult. I basically cut it to size for depth and roughly for length (in this case that meant a seam at the bottom), then center the seam on the middle bottom of the front face with the two finished sides facing each other. Here's where the spring clips come in handy to hold everything where I need it.

Once I have everything properly aligned I scribe a line indicating where I will be punching holes for the stitch. In this case I used a four hole diamond punch to start the holes and for spacing and followed up with an awl. I did this because when punching through MANY layers the diamond punch can leave holes that are IMO unacceptably large on the facing.

I start at the bottom center and work my way up one side, counting stitches. I only punch about two inches worth of holes at a time then sew them up to the second to last hole. You want to leave the last hole as a spacer when punching your next set. This helps me avoid irregular seams and 'drift' where the two pieces migrate under the force of the mallet and the punch.

Everything is sewn double needle, by hand. Lock stitches aren't suitable for leather work. The second a thread is compromised the whole piece will come apart.

You'll note in pictures one and two the gusset is WAY longer than needed. I like a finished edge on the gusset. The easiest way for me to ensure a perfect fit is to leave the edge until I've sewn up to within 2" or so of it, then to stop. I then line up the gusset edge with the top edge of the front face, square it up, clamp (check and recheck the spacing) and sew the turn over with a 'hem' that matches the front of the bag. The extra leather is then trimmed off and I then finish sewing the gusset.

After it's all sewn I check it by turning it right side out, snug up the 'welt' (where the gusset turns over itself and the face of the bag) and recheck that everything looks proper. If I'm happy with that I'll turn everything BACK inside out and lay a tiny bead of cement along the gusset-side seam THEN turn everything back right side out and realign the face and gusset. I think the cemented edge helps the gusset stay in shape and keeps it from blousing out.

I then finalize the shape of the 'welt' and clamp it to allow the glue to dry.

I'm brand new to sporran making, but that's how I do it. If you have any other questions that I might be able to answer, let me know and I'll try.

If you haven't seen this short film yet, you should.
http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=0958

Happy stitching

[Nighthawk]

Thanks for the detailed pics! I want to make one for the upcoming Iron Maiden concert- one that is similar to what A_Hay! does, with Eddie on the flap. I have the design done and ready to transfer, but I wasn't sure how to go about the whole construction process. The spring clip idea is a brilliant!

[artificer]

Thanks for the detailed pics! ...The spring clip idea is a brilliant!

Spring Clips FTW! Good luck with your Eddie - be sure to post pix.

And now, the newly completed #2 Sporran!
Front View


The lacing is a Triple Loop, with four different sections used. One for each side of the top flap and one for each side of the body. This way the facing braid is always on the front, and the laces always travel in a downward direction.

1/4 front


And the side view


The dimensions are just over 8" tall and right about 7" wide, with a gusset depth of 1 3/4". It's not huge - like the 'big gulp' Rob Roy styles, but it is VERY heavy. It's .75lb.

I wanted it to have a spartan feel similar to the classic regimental 'duty' sporrans, but with a bit more interest - hopefully lent by the laced edge.

And now to find this bad boy a home while I continue planning my full mask!

As always, constructive commentary is very welcome.

[BoldHighlander]

I wanted it to have a spartan feel similar to the classic regimental 'duty' sporrans, but with a bit more interest - hopefully lent by the laced edge.

That is a beauty!

I like the regimental look (reminds me of my WW2 era Aussie sporran) yet the lacing/braiding really sets it apart! Very nice job sir, and if I had the $$ to spare I'd take it off your hands!

[Downunder Kilt]

As you said, you wanted the military look with a little bit more and I think you have done that splendidly. All the best in your future projects

[artificer]

That is a beauty!

I like the regimental look (reminds me of my WW2 era Aussie sporran) yet the lacing/braiding really sets it apart! Very nice job sir, and if I had the $$ to spare I'd take it off your hands!

As you said, you wanted the military look with a little bit more and I think you have done that splendidly. All the best in your future projects

Thanks guys. It's really gratifying to hear that I've succeeded in my set goal.
BTW: BoldHighlander - I'm shooting you a PM.

Here are a few more pix, You'll have to excuse my 'trim', I jumped into the kilt early this AM for the shots and wasn't quite as fitted as I thought. Also, I was using a timer on the camera, so it's set timer, focus, run like mad, sweep pleats All of which is a bit discombobulating.

first against the Baird tartan


and then the Wallace tartan

[thescot]

The detail you show is really great for those of us who would like to do some work like that. And your technique is unique.

But the final product is beautiful. I really like your ideas of taking the basic military style sporran and making it something more. What you end up with is something really nice.

Thanks for all the photos.

[Eleazar]

Did you say something about trades in a earlier post?

I really like the simplicity and focus on detail. Very nice.