WIP Sporran #5 (hunting)- from the very start

[artificer]

GOOOOOOD Morning!

I've been up since 0400 local BBQing some pulled pork for my dad for Father's Day. Since manning the grill only takes 10 minutes per hour, I've been spending most of the rest of that time working on these cursed petal folds.

After two more alterations to the paper patterns from the other day, I started in on leather.

The pieces I'm using are some old scrap I had, and not as thick as the new hide, but I'm going to have to skive some of the back off anyway to get it down to a foldable thickness and to make sure the targe doesn't stand off the face of the sporran.

Of course, the nature of leather, with it's thickness and 'give' tend to mess things up a bit, so I've done this twice... and I'm getting pretty close.



With one more adjustment to the raw size of the piece and a slight increase in the width of the fold (as well as some final shaping), I think we'll be right.

Once these few changes have been made and finalized, I'll cut a final pattern for this, both flat for the cut, and with a raised 'folding aid' to make sure both size and placement of the petal folds is consistent.

The rest of the pieces are essentially finalized in paper form and waiting to be given a last 'test-fitting' in leather before I start cutting up the good hide.

BTW: Thanks all for the continued encouragement and kind words.

[thescot]

This is so tantalizing to watch. I am learning a lot.

If you need any advice . . . don't call me because I'm just an observer.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

[Arlen]

Absolutely beautiful work. I'm amazed that you're making such progress on what will be a gorgeous sporran.

[artificer]

Well, my work yesterday was slowed down by having to tend to the grill more than I planned (storm front changed all the weather, rain on grill cooled my perfect 225*f to 195* - had to rebuild heat) Ended up wet, muddy, covered in coal dust and ash. However, at 2059hrs, just 17hrs after my start time, I finally got everything off the coals and pulled the pork!

Luckily, I still had time to get test pieces for the major parts of the front cut. These are still cut from scrap leather and will need a bit of tweaking. Ignore the size difference between the top and bottom of the bag, the top pieces were cut to represent the edge of the stitching and fold over for the 'purse lip' and aren't quite the full size. I'm trying to focus on the proportions on the front panel here.

I don't have the full hole pattern for the top 'collar' above the targe finished to my liking, so only the bottom row is punched.

Also, the stitched detail that joins each section together is obviously absent here.

The lower section of the bag shown here is basically the one from yesterday, the new one is still being adjusted/skived.

Luckily, my pinker (sawtooth edge cutter) seems to be just the perfect size for this application. On the inner targe the circumference is such that I don't have to cheat any of the peaks

Without further ado - test fit 1


I may make a change and remove the inner part of the central targe, and have the edge that is now pinked be a simple saddle stitch. I don't know if I'm that thrilled with the additional layer here. I added it in after making the original design, and I think it might be too busy. Below is an altered image to show (with the colour change) where the stitch would lie, but I've removed the pinked edge in Photoshop.



This one feels more balanced to me.

Any thoughts?

EDIT: After staring at the images, I realized I really needed to actually physically model the more simple targe design.


I think with the targe padded on the area inside the ring of stitches this will provide enough visual interest and depth. This will 'puff up' slightly the central area providing a more three dimensional face and 'relief' like on the double stacked targe. The padding will either be felted wool or a special pad material made for this purpose.

I've scribed in the first two stitch lines as well, one on the targe (though this WILL be moved outward toward the pinked edge by 3/32"~) and the first stitch line on the upper collar (this will most likely be brought slightly inward toward the first row of perforations by
about the same distance - I did these by hand without my good compass scribe)

[thescot]

Your designs and ruminations are extremely detailed and interesting. I can see how your design considerations come along and how you have made important choices that have produced a most attractive sporran.

This is one of the best threads I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Thanks.

That is going to be one terrific sporran when you finish.

[BoldHighlander]

This is one of the best threads I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Thanks.

That is going to be one terrific sporran when you finish.

Hear! Hear!

On a side note: for some reason Scott, I kind of like the 1st design
But whichever design you choose I know it's going to be a beauty!

[Downunder Kilt]

Artificer, thanks for the continuation of this fantastic thread. I am of the the same preference as Bold Highlander in that I think your No 1 photo is the best.
I don't think the additional layer makes it too busy but adds dimension and body (if that makes sense) I realise in No3 you are trying to create that also, but think No1 does it more successfully.

[artificer]

Your designs and ruminations are extremely detailed and interesting. I can see how your design considerations come along and how you have made important choices that have produced a most attractive sporran.

This is one of the best threads I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Thanks.

That is going to be one terrific sporran when you finish.

Thank you. This has been my most frustrating design in a long time. It's great to have a challenge, but I'll be really glad when I've sussed everything out.

...
On a side note: for some reason Scott, I kind of like the 1st design
But whichever design you choose I know it's going to be a beauty!

Artificer, thanks for the continuation of this fantastic thread. I am of the the same preference as Bold Highlander in that I think your No 1 photo is the best.
I don't think the additional layer makes it too busy but adds dimension and body (if that makes sense) I realise in No3 you are trying to create that also, but think No1 does it more successfully.

I know why you both feel this way. The targe looks a bit plain right now. To me and both of you. I'm going to have to actually build a test piece to truly be settled on a design.

One thing that you aren't seeing in picture #1 is the additional ring of stitches that will have to ride RIGHT inside of the pinking on the inner targe, which I'm fearing will clutter everything up. Possibly to the point of interfering visually with the studded detail. This is obviously the LAST thing I want, as it is the primary decorative element on the piece.

I've gone back and forth, but am still fairly certain #3 will be the way to go. I will be making a fully padded, stitched, and riveted mock-up before I advance the design any further, to make sure I'm on the right track.

If the #3 mock up isn't satisfactory, I'll be tracking back to #1 to see if I can re-engineer the stitching issue.

Since this one detail doesn't change the general construction, it may be the case that I end up with two fully realized patterns

Hopefully, I'll be able to get the mock-up done tomorrow.
Today is a big family picnic for Father's Day with my dad and grandfather.

Thanks again everyone for the interest and very helpful comments.

[Ryan Ross]

Now you're getting into the area that I would term "modern traditional" sporran design. By that, I mean a sporran that Jock would wear.

I can't think of an individual artisan that produces such pieces, off the top of my head, though I feel there certainly must be some. At any rate, it looks fantastic and I'm sure this project will come out very well.

...and please do keep the pics coming.

[Kiltman]

Thanks for keeping us up on your progress.