"poor man's sporran"

**cwr89** · 7th March 07, 01:47 PM

Thanks for all the replys!

I am heading to the thrift store tomarrow on the hunt for a pair of really really huge high hose, a jacket that properly fits that I can have altered into a kilt jacket, and a largerer womans' purse ;) / other leather products.

now, the question is, is it safe to machine sew the thinner leather that I might salvedge from the thrift stuff? I have an (it is actually my mothers and she just taught me how to use it a week ago) ancient (about 30 years old) Singer Strait Stitch machine, she only has 1 needle for it and it is like a medum needle it works in most all the fabrics I have used. I just don't have the dexterity to make the sewing line up correctly. Or, is it recommended that I do it by hand?

thanks for the comments!
~Casey

**DrewO** · 7th March 07, 01:54 PM

eBay's a good place to find cheap leather as well. You can find scraps of upholstery leather in all sizes colors and thicknesses.

**RK-REX** · 7th March 07, 02:18 PM

Hey Casey, if you, or anyone else for that matter, would like some antler material, drop me a note, I've got plenty of old deer antlers laying around. I'll ship you some.

**bubba** · 7th March 07, 03:26 PM

See if you can find a leather needle for the sewing machine. Leather needles are made to cut through the leather rather than just punch through. It'll be easier on the machine.

**BLAZN** · 11th March 07, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Freelander Sporrano

For materials take a walk to the nearest Junk shop or what ever you call them in the states.
Look for old leather coats. Fun fur or real fur coats which have gone passed their usfull perpose.Try and re use things you find.
Old leather briefcases and scatchels are all good sources of leather with the used patina that looks good. You don't have to break the bank to start.

SNAPS! There's a Goodwill Thrift Store across the river in New Hampshire! I didn't think for a second to do this! I'm POSITIVE I could find SOMETING there that would come in handy for another Rob Roy style sporran! Boy, I owe you a pint there, FS. Look me up if you're ever in New England for some reason.

Originally Posted by RK-REX

Hey Casey, if you, or anyone else for that matter, would like some antler material, drop me a note, I've got plenty of old deer antlers laying around. I'll ship you some.

Yeah... I'm gonna have to drop you a PM when I get home tomorrow. I've been trying to find some for a little while now.

**AL-58** · 7th March 07, 02:17 PM

It will depend on the weight/capability of the sewing machine. You will break needles easily if you overload it. But otherwise yes it is safe to sew leather on a sewing machine. One thing to test on old thinner leather(eg old handbags) you are re-using is to see if it has dried out too much over the years. You can do this by a tear test, make a little cut in the edge and try to tear it, if it tears easily it will not be strong enough for sewing, it should stretch when you try to tear it thtas OK.

AL

**Alex Mac** · 2nd April 07, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by cwr89

now, the question is, is it safe to machine sew the thinner leather that I might salvedge from the thrift stuff? I have an (it is actually my mothers and she just taught me how to use it a week ago) ancient (about 30 years old) Singer Strait Stitch machine, she only has 1 needle for it and it is like a medum needle it works in most all the fabrics I have used. I just don't have the dexterity to make the sewing line up correctly. Or, is it recommended that I do it by hand?

Depends on the machine. As others have said, make sure you get a leather needle: they're stronger, and designed to punch through leather.

I have a 50 year old Singer that can more or less manage leather, but I need to go extremely slowly -- it's almost easier to run the machine by hand (hand turning the drive wheel -- I did mention it's an OLD machine, right?) and just use the motor for a little bit of a boost when I'm trying to get through the material. A lot of newer ones, though, are a lot weaker, and can't really manage it, so you might want to try working your way up to it, starting with a heavy fabric, and working up to leather one step at a time.

**cwr89** · 2nd April 07, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Alex Mac

Depends on the machine. As others have said, make sure you get a leather needle: they're stronger, and designed to punch through leather.

I have a 50 year old Singer that can more or less manage leather, but I need to go extremely slowly -- it's almost easier to run the machine by hand (hand turning the drive wheel -- I did mention it's an OLD machine, right?) and just use the motor for a little bit of a boost when I'm trying to get through the material. A lot of newer ones, though, are a lot weaker, and can't really manage it, so you might want to try working your way up to it, starting with a heavy fabric, and working up to leather one step at a time.

I have finally found a place where I can get the "fake leather" looks alright, and was $3.95 a yard and 60 some inches wide.

it isn't the thick stuff. but it has the look I want, I also know where I can get if from now, the Joann's fabrics had it in white, light brown, dark brown, black, and tan.

when I get adventurous, I might get the synthetic fox/rabbit fur.
I am going to go and work on it now, and see how it goes, pictures will come soon!!!!!

~Casey

**cacunn** · 13th March 07, 07:27 AM

cwr89
When at the thrift shops look at the leather jacket/coats. some times you can find a leather jacket for a few dollars that can be a good source of leather.

From the looks of you size in the picture you might be able to turn the leather strap from a womans purse/hand bag into a sporran strap.

Just remember, that what something is - is not what it is - it is just a source for your imagination to find another use for.

**LordKiltClad** · 13th March 07, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by cacunn

cwr89
that what something is - is not what it is - it is just a source for your imagination to find another use for.

mmmmmmm

Thank you Master Yoda.
Good advise for reusing the old.

I might have the skill for making my own sporran, but I'll stick to buying them. For some reason I truly appreciate the workmanship and craft that goes into a handmade leather sporran. More so than the satisfaction I would gain from making my own. I salute those of you that have the patience and skill.

Side Note: The blacksmithing group I help is really into reusing things. They are making me a Sgian Dugh from a horseshoe. I'll post pics when it's done.