I built myself a sporran!

**HippieLee** · 28th October 13, 01:23 PM

Thank you very kindly people!

**kiltedrennie** · 28th October 13, 01:28 PM

That is a great sporran!

**HippieLee** · 28th October 13, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by kiltedrennie

That is a great sporran!

Thanks! I had to fight - and I mean bare-knuckle boxing - the urge to over-decorate...and I still think I might have done too much lol...ACtually I look and think not too much but I probably should have spent more time making what I did do smoother...you can see the green here better:
sporran_in_progress.jpg
but I see now that the green should have been more uniform. I still need to buff it all out more too I think...

**Nathan** · 28th October 13, 01:56 PM

Well done!

**MNlad** · 28th October 13, 02:48 PM

Great first (or any) effort. As to your question on the gusset, yes it is normally made out of a thinner, more pliable piece or leather. Sporran belts can be one piece or two with clasps —it's personal preference.

**dfedde** · 28th October 13, 02:53 PM

looks awesome, I really like the decoration although I think just a simple stamping or burning would look great as well.

Vary nice work quite impressive.

**HippieLee** · 28th October 13, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by MNlad

Great first (or any) effort. As to your question on the gusset, yes it is normally made out of a thinner, more pliable piece or leather. Sporran belts can be one piece or two with clasps —it's personal preference.

I think I'm pretty sure I like the 2 piece idea. I did see where Artificer said to be sure the edges are finished well so as not to cut into the kilt. I have been practicing my edging so I'll give it a go. Thanks for the info and kind words!

**GM445** · 28th October 13, 03:12 PM

Thats a piece of art work, for a first effort, exellent work

**A Hay** · 28th October 13, 05:48 PM

HippieLee, Very nice first effort.

Here is a suggestion for the sporran belt sizing if you want to make it with two straps connected with a buckle and clips on the end to connect onto the D rings of the sporran. Tandy has "trigger snaps" which make the connection to the sporran very easy, by the way.

First measure around your waist over the kilt just about 2 inches below the top of the kilt. Then add 4 inches. This gives you your overall circumference you want to achieve with the belt connected at the back This will also allow the sporran to ride just enough lower in the front to be about right when hanging down. Then you have to subtract the space between the D rings on the sporran. Then subtract the length of the "trigger snaps" (if you use them). Measure from the inside of the snap to the inside of the part the belt will go through on the snap. Then you have to calculate the lengths of each straps. The two straps will not wind up being the same length. Ideally they should meet at the center of your back. This means the strap part will be longer since you want to have the center of the punched holes for the buckle tang at the center and you will need some extra to go through the buckle and a bit more with 2 or 3 holes on the end. See a formula for calculating the length of each strap below.
Since you will be turning back the leather on the buckle end at each end, you need to allow for about 1 1/2 inch turn back at the buckle and the trigger snap end. For the strap with the holes for the buckle, you need to allow 1 1/2 inches for the turn back at the trigger snap end but you will have to add some additional at the other end where the holes are. Probably 5 or 6 holes about 1 inch apart will give you enough variation.
The total length of the buckle strap will be the sum of the following dimensions: [1/2 of the total final circumference] - [1/2 the distance between the two D rings on the sporran] - [the length of the trigger snap, measuring from the inside of the snap to where the strap holder connects] + [the turn back of the strap through the trigger snap] + [the turn back of the strap through the buckle].
The total length of the strap that goes through the buckle will be the sum of [1/2 of the total final circumference] - [1/2 the distance between the two D rings on the sporran] + [the length from the trigger snap to the center hole of the strap end] + [4 or 5 inches excess to pass through the buckle and allow for adjustment]

It took me awhile to figure this out on my first sporran belt so I hope it is helpful to you. You may want to try the lengths out by cutting them from heavy paper first. And the allowance of 1 1/2 inches for the turnbacks at the ends might not be enough if you have heavy leather. Sketching it out on paper with the dimensions on each section of the belts is also helpful.
Here are a couple of photos of completed belts. First one I bought and the 2nd one I made myself.

If you have questions, please let me know.