Not As Succesful DIY For Your Edification:

[Mike S]

Not all of them can be winners. After I've drafted a new pattern, I sometimes fabricate a mock up in cheap "bonded leather" (think fake leather "pleather" upholstery material) before proceeding in real leather.





I learned some things from this experiment fabricated over the weekend:

A. I generally dislike buckstitched borders and edges, despite trying it out here. I made the lacing too thick and wide, and it looks very bulky and heavy handed. Granted, the "bonded leather" doesn't remain stable like real leather, and pulls out of shape with such a treatment.

B. I don't like the gusset to be stitched to the back portion on the face, and vastly prefer the edge to wrap around to the back as it does with the front panel.

C. Something that I already knew but disregarded here; to wit, all edges look infinitely better when either folded over and stitched, or bound/piped with a separate binding strip stitched into place.

Things that I do intend to carry over to the finished, leather version:

A. The bill and ID patch pocket design that I worked into the lining "leather".
B. I think that I drafted a well proportioned basic day sporran, and that the pattern will
produce a nice sporran, finer details and construction snafus not withstanding.

I'm posting this not as a point of pride. Rather, as a self critique of less successful but nonetheless edifying experiments for the benefit of those making their own gear.

[plaid preacher]

Wow, Mike! I would say you are a harsh critic. I think the overall effect looks very good. I did notice the pulling on the flap you mentioned, but overall, I thought it was a very good attempt. I'm sure with real leather and this experience the sporran you make will look fantastic. Can't wait to see the finished project.

[Mike S]

Well thank you. The German side of my family tree makes me ever critical, but I know the flaws and expect much better of my work.

As I said, I do this sort of mock up to work out such kinks, so that I'm not wasting good materials. I wanted to illustrate my process here, warts and all. ;)

[Stitchwiz]

I can empathize with you, Mike. I share similar hereditary traits. It can be frustrating, but the final results are worth it. Looks like you have figured out exactly what you want.

Your next one will go together much more easily that this one. Looking forward to seeing it!

[Bluescelt]

Getting better at sporran design and construction is a trial and error experiment for me. I found it's good to have some extra material to do a test run before applying it to an actual piece. Keep up the good work Mike!

[Dughlas mor]

Yes, that German side can be beneficial if you know what to do with it! I have a fair bit myself. A very interesting post, and I`m looking forward to seeing the final result.

[Pleater]

You need to mentally unstitch the parts, then pull the gusset out so that the holes in it are visible at the edge of the back, and probably shift the pieces slightly - or as this is a mental exercise, move the holes in the gusset to be in between the ones on the back. When the spiral binding around the edge of the flap reaches the point where the gusset becomes involved there is a double stitch to secure the edges well, then the spiral binding continues, going through only the two layers of the back and then the single layer of the gusset right around the bag.

The spiral binding encloses the edge of the leather and keeps it from damaging the clothing it impacts upon. It also creates a smooth curve at the join of the two pieces which I found more aesthetically pleasing than a flat seam.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Pleater]

When I made a bag I had found that a join with the inside faces together produced an edge able to wear through garments, eventually, so rather than make the gusset into an S shape, I turned it like a C and continued the binding right around. The back was double thickness, the binding went in through the backs and the edge of the gusset was between them. The binding came out through the gusset.

The bag is long gone, but it lasted for many years and had no sharp edge.

I found being able to continue the binding all the way round was rather pleasing.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Mike S]

Hi Anne,

I understand how you designed the rear attachment of the gusset, and have sketched a depiction of how I perceive it below:



However I'm not sure that I understand the manner in which you are saying that you attached the gusset to the front panel. Could you elaborate?