Quote Originally Posted by usndoc
No, I was not going to use the tail for the flap... :-) That would not look appropriate at all. I might make a key chain out of it.
The pelts of small furbearing mammals make wonderful sporrans. I've made several and will make many more from my collection of pelts (if I quit making kilts from my collection of fabrics and tartans.) Do not discount the tail. Both the mask AND the tail are in use here on my favorite homemade sporran. Because the tail is off-center, there is no risk of it being mistaken for something else very large and hairy, but it does have a nice "swing" to it that complements the swing of the pleats behind.





Referring to the tail ONLY - here is a my homemade badger sporran with the tail on the flap. In truth, I only put it there as a placeholder for the full mask - if or when I get it finished.



Both of these are very large, fully usable sporrans. They were constructed with a plain fabric front panel. The mouth of the sporran is reinforced with a circle of stiff leather belt. The main piece of fur is cut large and handstitched to the belt and somewhere on the gusset toward the back panel, and the stitching is not nearly as noticeable as you imagine. Stuff the sporran to fullness with newspaper beforehand. The edges of the fur have to be gently "pleated" around the curves. Extra pieces of fur are glued/stitched on each side of the flap to flank the mask or tail or whatever (or do the whole flap in fur.) I pass on adding feet or tassels.

These sporrans are obviously rustic, but have a certain classiness to them. Mr. Skunk nicely complements any black and white outfit.

Kids will love your fur sporran - but beware of women who try to pet your sporran while you're wearing it!