Sporran #14 WIP - Snakeskin Hunting Sporran

[artificer]

Ooo, now THAT is a cool sporran. Never seen another quite like it, and the closest I've seen was a Ferguson Britt in Python, so you're in good company.

Another masterpiece, Scott! Truly excelent, very clean work.

Thanks Ryan. That IS good company to keep.

Mark makes the best buckles I've seen, Scott, and I do believe he could probably put almost any design on one; even a ginkgo leaf, I bet.

...just saying...

Ohhh. Now that's an idea that hadn't occurred.

[English Bloke]

That is very impressive and I love that British Tan colour. For me I could swap the snakeskin and green trim for smooth black leather. Not that the sporran isn't lovely I'm just not partial to snakeskin. I'm not keen on crocodile either. I imagine if you used a green middle section too you'd generate some interest. Especially around St Patrick's Day. Nice work Scott. I really enjoy these WIP threads you put up. Cheers mate, thanks for bringing them to us...

[davidlpope]

Scott,

This is really great. I very rarely see this high degree of thought and care go into sporrans. It's the little things that stand out- the way you have "hidden" the end of the top strap rather than ending in the regular three-lobed design, the pinked trim that barely peeks out, etc. Really great work.

My hesitant criticism is this- is it possible to use a finer gauge waxed cord to sew the seams that are visible? Your stitching is very precise, but I think the "thread" itself is just a little too beefy and draws unneeded attention to those seams.

David

[artificer]

That is very impressive and I love that British Tan colour. For me I could swap the snakeskin and green trim for smooth black leather. Not that the sporran isn't lovely I'm just not partial to snakeskin. I'm not keen on crocodile either. I imagine if you used a green middle section too you'd generate some interest. Especially around St Patrick's Day. Nice work Scott. I really enjoy these WIP threads you put up. Cheers mate, thanks for bringing them to us...

Thanks John!

Sadly, I'm just about out of the tan, and cannot get any more from my supplier. Re: the inset, I've been pondering other uses for this style of bag. You've given me a few more things to think about.

Scott,

This is really great. I very rarely see this high degree of thought and care go into sporrans. It's the little things that stand out- the way you have "hidden" the end of the top strap rather than ending in the regular three-lobed design, the pinked trim that barely peeks out, etc. Really great work.

My hesitant criticism is this- is it possible to use a finer gauge waxed cord to sew the seams that are visible? Your stitching is very precise, but I think the "thread" itself is just a little too beefy and draws unneeded attention to those seams.

David

And thank you David. I really appreciate the critique from one who's style I admire as much as I do yours.

I will say that the thread IS less prominent in person- there is an issue photographing this leather in particular. The colour is quite chameleonic, and to get a picture with even get a reasonable approximation of the actual colour, I must tweak the levels quite a bit. This makes the thread appear to stand out more in the pictures... It's quite frustrating.

That said, I do know what you are saying about the heft of the thread. Thus far I've really only seen two gauges of leather thread, very thin (for machine) and this heavier gauge. I will spend some time today shopping online for a middle gauge (if my internet connection holds out).

Regarding the strap, it's the same style I used on the #5 hunting sporran. The #5 was already fairly intricate, with the brouging across the cantle, and this one just didn't need it. The 'club' strap attachment was in my original drawing, but when I got to building the cantle, the visible strap attachment just seemed to big and clumsy.

Thanks again, guys, for the feedback!
ith:

[Tartan Hiker]

I've wrestled with thread size and color myself, and finally come to realize that all the saddle-makers and other leather workers I know are right. White linen is best. It seems counter-intuitive, but white stitching will not be nearly as prominent as the darker thread. Size is important...I can't trust anything less than 5-ply linen, and that is fairly thick. I prefer 6-ply, and I still break that on occasion.

For those not familiar with this kind of stitching, you have to remember that there are no knots. The tightness of the threads within the awl holes is all that holds it all together. Pounding the stitching after you're done helps tighten everything up, but you still need some heft in the threads or it just won't hold up to constant use and stress.

The only time I use anything other than white is when I'm stitching black leather, or leather that I am going to dye black. Then I'll use black thread. Other than that, I stick to white.

Just my $.02.