Need a sporran pointer..

[Casey_in_Carolina]

I'm thinking about trying my hand at a sporran, and need a pointer to some good, simple(emphasis on the simple) instructions.

I've got my wife's brown purse(hehe) from which the lining finally wore through, and she got disgusted digging for stuff and went to throw it away. I 'rescued' it from the garbage can, and then promptly had to hide it, as she went looking for it to throw it away again.

The leather seems a bit on the thin side, but it has all sorts of nifty stuff in it. The main shoulder strap, is thin, and has two, miniature, bull-snap clasps attached to the ends, so I think it'll be perfect for a sporran belt one I incorporate a size adjuster. There's also a couple of more mini-bull-snaps built into the body of the purse itself, as well as a pair of those round, magnetic, snap closures.

I think there's enough material to make a modest sporran, and I could use a brown one for variety. I'm just worried about the thinness of the material, and how I would go about manufacturing with a more delicate material.

Also on a very strict budget, hence the raiding of the trash for materials. I can scrounge up needle and thread, and maybe even a leather punch and some fake sinew, but beyond that, I'll be a bit limited for extras.

So, anyone know where I can find instructions for something simple that might be workable with thin material, and a low(read no) budget?


Thanks,

Casey

[piperdbh]

There's a thread about making a sporran from a purse somewhere around here.
When I made my 'coon sporran last year, I went to the fabric store and bought some 1" wide leather belt (really thin) and a couple of D rings. I sewed the D rings into one end of the belt (like an old-school life jacket) and passed the other end through the loops on the back of my sporran. When I wear it, I just pull the loose end through the D rings and cinch it up to where it needs to be.
Hope that helps somewhere down the line.

[KiltedSurveyor]

You might want to check your local thrift store for leather as well. At our Good Will you can occasionally find leather coats and skirts for well under ten dollars. If necessary, you can laminate the leather with rubber cement for more thickness. I have made a sporran with leather from a black skirt and laminated leather from a suede coat for the inside. Leather belts for straps and other parts can be had for around a buck. Here's a picture of my sporran strap made from an old belt, braided leather and some inexpensive hardware from Tractor Supply (Chicago Screws, D rings and guick release fastners).



As you can see by my gear, I'm not one of the landed gentry, so "making do" is pretty much a way of life. BTW, the sporran shown is not the laminated one.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

I've heard of guys stealing ladies' purses, but stealing your own wife's purse? Tehehe

[Laird O'the Cowcaddens]

Hi guys, I never thought about it in those terms before. I will give some serious consideration to dumpster diving,lol. Kidding aside, you have put some great ideas out-there. Thanks.

[Chas]

Hello All,

I have just acquired the leather back seat from a written-off Jaguar XJS from the local auto scrap yard. It's an off white colour, so should take a dye reasonably well. They usually sell off the seats as a full set (for a lot of money), but in this case, the front of the car was flattened, so there were no front seats. Combine this with latest regulations about recycling, they were only to pleased to get rid of it for only £1. Could be a good supply of cheap leather in future. I will be checking out all the scrap yards in the county on a regular basis from now on.

Regards

Chas

[Kilt_Noob]

... If necessary, you can laminate the leather with rubber cement for more thickness. I have made a sporran with leather from a black skirt and laminated leather from a suede coat for the inside.

You have a good idea there. I have a few square feet of new Corinthian Leather (can't say where) but it was scrap leather, but anyway, its real thin and soft. I'm gonna try to laminate it together. I'm also looking for simple plans on making a sporran. maybe a draw string closure or something like that. Anyone else DIY a sporran?

[Colonel MacNeal]

Casey, remember the kilt is MEN'S wear. No ambiguity please.

[Bugbear]

Yes you can laminate a thin piece of leather onto a thicker stiffener backing. I would not rely on the cement alone, but put stiching along the edges or where ever else you can. The cement will help keep the thin layer from buckling, and the stitching will keep it from peeling off from the edges.

I did make a small, soft shell sporran that was turned inside out after the stitching. I made my own pattern, so can't really advise you too much.

There is a book with a pattern that a few people have used, but I can't think of the name of the book off the top of my head.

You might look through DWFII's threads because he has made a few using that books pattern, I think.

[Kilt_Noob]

I appreciate the advise Ted. Will do! =)