My First Sporran

[Billbeme]

Hello all! This is my first post on the forum so please pardon the post. I tried to do as much back research as possible by reading previous posts on the topic but I still have some lingering questions.

I have been carrying around personal items (wallet, pocketknife, notepad, etc.) in a climbers chalk bag (http://www.w-trek.com/images/chalk_bag_new.JPG) at my side with jeans (sorry for the front-wearing kilt purity clause I am sure I have broken. Hope the jeans/side wearing is okay!). I didn't even know what a Sporran was. After so research I discovered the item and found this thread. I love the concept and functionality but the chalk bag isn't taken as seriously as I would have hoped. That is how I ended up here. I wanted to buy a nice Rob Roy sporran but it is much more than I can afford so I thought I might make one. I have done some sewing in the past (fixing cloths, etc.) but never something quite like this. I don't have a pattern in mind but wanted to keep the exact dimensions of the chalk bag that I have. I simply wanted to add a flap and make it out of nice black leather. I just started winter break so I have plenty of time but limited funds. Below are my questions:

1. Is using the chalk bag as a template a bad idea?
2. As this is my first sporran should I not anticipate it coming out very well?
3. How much should I expect to spend on materials? (In know I will need the leather, a punch, thread, etc.)
4. Where can I find leather? Is using an old thrift store coat a good way to go?
5. What do you use for thread? I'd like to use something very strong, but something I can find easily.

Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much in advance.

Bill

[turpin]

1. Is using the chalk bag as a template a bad idea?
2. As this is my first sporran should I not anticipate it coming out very well?
3. How much should I expect to spend on materials? (In know I will need the leather, a punch, thread, etc.)
4. Where can I find leather? Is using an old thrift store coat a good way to go?
5. What do you use for thread? I'd like to use something very strong, but something I can find easily.

Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much in advance.

Bill

1. There are other templates that will give a better result. PM sent.
2. Take your time, think things out before you do them, don't be afraid to do something over if it doesn't come out the first time. Here ar a couple of pix of my first Rob Roy sporran. I just looked at a lot of other pictures and went for it.



3 and 4. If you can find leather remnants at a leather store like Tandy you can get away for cheap. You need about 2 square feet of useable 3-4 oz chrome-tanned (supple) leather and about 1 sq. ft of 4-5 or 5-6 oz veg-tan (or perhaps a thin shoe sole from a thrift store). Another option is looking on EBAY for sellers who sell swatches. If you can find a good leather jacket at a thrift that'll work. So many of them seem to have seams in incovenient places. Expect to spend anywhere from $15 to $40, depending on what you are able to find.

5. For thread, I use and recommend embroidery floss which you can get at any hobby store. Wax it by drawing a cut piece thru a piece of beeswax candle 4 or 5 times before threading it. If you pre-punch your holes try to find a blunt embroidery needle to prevent a sharp point from catching in your work.

good luck!

[Carolinascot]

Good luck to you on your endeavor!

[Thunderbolt]

Hi Billbeme, welcome to the forums!

Listen to Turpin, he knows what he's talking about.

I can only echo his advice and a couple of hints.

If you're looking at a Rob Roy style sporran, Pick up J. Charles Thompsons' book, 'So You're Going To Wear The Kilt'. In the appendix, there's a pattern for a RR style sporran. It has much good info as it is, and is kind of a kilt wearers bible, so to speak.

To get you started, here's a couple of threads that may help;

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/l...114/index.html

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...540/index.html


Thunderbolt