Questians regarding making your own sporran

[Andrew Breecher]

Tandy Leather is a popular U.S. dealer. I haven't had an opportunity yet to get into sporran-making, but I know it's something I want to do. I'll have to order a few samplers to see just what type of leather to use.

Andrew.

[Brasilikilt]

Hey all

For me, getting the leather is no problem since I already have a reasonable assortment of different colors and thicknesses of leather.
I have made several leather bags and pouches with both flap and drawstring closure, but these were mostly in the American frontier/ muzzleloading theme.

What makes a sporran an actual sporran and not a regular leather pouch?

If simply wearing a leather bag with your kilt makes that bag a sporran, could I theoretically wear a leather purse with my kilt and have it be a sporran?

I'm thinking that a leather bag has to be made in a particular style, be the right size and be attached to your belt or kilt in such a way to make it an actual sporran.
One of the big questions in my mind is does a sporran have to be hung by the little strap or chain around your hips, or can there be loops for your belt to pass through?
What's a good size for a sporran?

Every little bit of info is helpful
thanks

Iain (Brasilikilt)

[Kiltman]

I've made several sporrans for various persons. They are not that hard to make. Thompson's book is where I started. Then I looked out on the WWW to find what was there. I found many, wonderful and different variations of sporrans. I've found it to be a way of making a statement. For example, I have one made of skunk. Generally, people just love it and see it as a statement that is playful and yet serious about this very wonderful bag.

[Bob C]

You'll do fine, I'm sure. Just don't make it too big.

Some guys look like they have a knapsack strapped on the front of their kilts.