Sporran #14 WIP - Snakeskin Hunting Sporran

[artificer]

Thanks, all.

Beautiful job.
Being a Western gal, the snakeskin interests me very much.
Artificer, what was the pro's and con's to using the snake skin on this compared to something with hair?

Snakeskin is much like other skin leathers. This one had the scales on, some snake actually has the scales removed, as the coloured pattern is on the skin itself. This skin was VERY thin and flexible (nearly transparent) so I actually dyed the structural backing material the skin was glued to for a consistent colour tone.

About fur:
Fur can hide sloppy stitching (which is a pet peeve of mine) unless you're looking closely, but fur also presents some unique issues, like the directional nature of the hair growth.

Fur also gets EVERYWHERE. It's so easy to end up with a seam line FULL of stray hairs. It's not a big deal to clear up, just irritating, ESPECIALLY when using waxed thread. The hair and wax just love each other.

Being greatly concerned with proportions, my 'personal' big thing with fur is 'volume control'. Certain furs are just bushy. Unless someone wants a particularly HUGE sporran, you have to design the bag starting with the finished size you want it to appear (including the fluff of hair), and then work backward with the underlying structure to make sure you don't end up with a 14"w sporran

[Downunder Kilt]

Although snakeskin is not on of my preferred choices for a sporran, once again Scott you have created a piece of artwork of exceptional high quality. Your handstiching, design work and finishing are something to behold. Congratulations on another superb creation and congratulations to Drac on his acquistion.


p.s. Thought I saw your skunk sporran in another thread, love the use of your grandfathers cabinet for display


In the interests of full disclosure, I own Artificer sporran No 8

[tyger]

I love it. I have a 'skin, and might use it some day. But then I might ship it to you with the experience to boot.

[artificer]

p.s. Thought I saw your skunk sporran in another thread, love the use of your grandfathers cabinet for display

Thanks! it really is a wonderful cabinet for delicate storage. The cedar keeps the pests away, and the REALLY tight seal keeps dust and such out.

It's also a nice reminder of both my great grandfather and my grandparents.

I love it. I have a 'skin, and might use it some day. But then I might ship it to you with the experience to boot.

let me know, maybe we can work something out.

ith:

[turpin]

Fur also gets EVERYWHERE. It's so easy to end up with a seam line FULL of stray hairs. It's not a big deal to clear up, just irritating, ESPECIALLY when using waxed thread. The hair and wax just love each other.:

I'll second that! I often will use painters blue tape to hold fur away from a seam I'm sewing. It's not perfect, but it helps a lot.

Being greatly concerned with proportions, my 'personal' big thing with fur is 'volume control'. Certain furs are just bushy. Unless someone wants a particularly HUGE sporran, you have to design the bag starting with the finished size you want it to appear (including the fluff of hair), and then work backward with the underlying structure to make sure you don't end up with a 14"w sporran

I'll second that too! Width is more of an issue than length, considering how long a hair sporran is. If teh animal is really long-haired i'll sometimes recommend fur on the front panel only, and not on the gusset. It's the fur gusset that gives the bulk of the "bulk".

[artificer]

I'll second that too! Width is more of an issue than length, considering how long a hair sporran is. If teh animal is really long-haired i'll sometimes recommend fur on the front panel only, and not on the gusset. It's the fur gusset that gives the bulk of the "bulk".

I agree 100% with you here.

I personally recommend leather on the gusset (unless we're talking seal or another very tightly furred pelt).

Most pelts have enough body and loft to cover the 'roll' of the leather gusset on the face, or I'll use a slightly altered structure to wrap the fur around the front edge and attach it to the gusset, which is then sewn onto the back face of the front panel.