Sporran making...

[BLAZN]

As some of you may know, I've gotten into the Ren Faire thing. Going to these kilted is so openly accepted that certain types of fun take place... like kilt checks. The mere thought of several women wishing to rub their hands over my bum to determine what's beneath my kilt is quite satisfying.

Anyway... many of the sporrans one can buy off the web simply look too new for ren faire garb (though the Rob Roy style is EXTREMELY popular). I wanted to start doing something that would look cool by todays standards (or at least my somewhat contempo standards anyway), yet looked "patchwork" enough to look good while in garb.

Enter my own sporran making. Along with a budding leatherworking hobby came this new source of enjoyment. So far, I have produced 2 sporrans from $35 worth of 9/10 ounce and 4/5 ounce leather. One of those has been sold for $45. A third one - from the same supply of leather, though slightly smaller than the other 2 - is in the works. The 2nd needs only some sort of closure, then it is indeed done. Oh yeah... I've even given them a "brand name" which is CroMag. he he he

Now... no thread like this would be complete without photos, so I bring you... CroMag Sporran #2 (I never got any photos of #1):

Front:


Back:


Side (breaking away from what seems to be a conspiracy to hide sporran sides):



Commnets?

[Freelander Sporrano]

These pictures bring back some memories. Good effort there's nothing like wearing something you've made your self.

Just one comment the leather seems a little too thick. Get some around 2-2.5 mm it'll be easier to work with

[Blu (Ontario)]

It's easy for somebody (like me for instance) that's not experienced in a particular craft to tender their remarks without fully appreciating or understanding the difficulties involved in the work.

And I should say, that for a novice project, it looks fairly ambitious.... probably more than I would be able to tackle!

With that in mind, I'll offer my comments as objectively and constructively as I can.

I think the general design is interesting and pleasing. I like the color of the leather as well. I might be inclined to make the flap a bit bigger though.

The closure device will be important to the look as well. I've wondered on occasion, what a kilt strap and buckle might look like as a sporran closure. Just a thought.

I agree that the leather appears to be pretty thick. Perfect for a wide belt to match the sporran though. Here's a silly question.... Is it possible to shave the leather down in thickness (like taking the filet off a fish) at the flap to make it less stiff?

It may be the photo, but the overall symmetry appears to be slightly off.... if so, that's something that's easily dealt with on subsequent projects with careful measuring and layout revisions.

The fold over on the leather loop at the back looks a bit oversized, and it projects out from the leather back. Personally, I'd be inclined to make it without the fold over, but that's just me.

That's about it. Personally speaking, these are the issues that I would be addressing if the work was sitting on my workbench. Other than that, it looks like a fun and productive hobby you've taken.

Hope that helps!

[BLAZN]

These pictures bring back some memories. Good effort there's nothing like wearing something you've made your self.

Just one comment the leather seems a little too thick. Get some around 2-2.5 mm it'll be easier to work with

What weight leather would that be? I've been using 9/10 ounce leather. Should I drop down to some 8/9 ounce or thinner?

It's easy for somebody (like me for instance) that's not experienced in a particular craft to tender their remarks without fully appreciating or understanding the difficulties involved in the work.

Oddly enough, it wasn't too hard. I punched the stitching holes before stitching it, so I never had to force a needle through the leather.
Putting designs onto and dyeing the leather are gonna be well learned lessons, though.

And I should say, that for a novice project, it looks fairly ambitious.... probably more than I would be able to tackle!

Thanks.

I think the general design is interesting and pleasing. I like the color of the leather as well. I might be inclined to make the flap a bit bigger though.

I tried a bigger flap on the cardboard mock up I did before I cut the leather. It looked best, to me, as it is.

The closure device will be important to the look as well. I've wondered on occasion, what a kilt strap and buckle might look like as a sporran closure. Just a thought.

I may try that... though I'm out of suede. Perhaps on a different sporran. I'm thinking of a rawhide loop over a celtic cross closure for the one pictured here.

I agree that the leather appears to be pretty thick. Perfect for a wide belt to match the sporran though. Here's a silly question.... Is it possible to shave the leather down in thickness (like taking the filet off a fish) at the flap to make it less stiff?

I could shave down the leather (called skiving, I do believe). It'd be far easier to just use a lighter weight (thinner) leather. Certainly something to look into... I might try some 1 or 2 ounces lighter for #4, etc.

It may be the photo, but the overall symmetry appears to be slightly off.... if so, that's something that's easily dealt with on subsequent projects with careful measuring and layout revisions.

That could be the shape. I've found that the gusset is easier to shape on sporrans with rounded bottoms as opposed to the angular bottoms like the one pictured here.

The fold over on the leather loop at the back looks a bit oversized, and it projects out from the leather back. Personally, I'd be inclined to make it without the fold over, but that's just me.

That was an experiment. I got the idea from a pouch I saw at a ren faire. It was also a chance to practice with rivet setting.

That's about it. Personally speaking, these are the issues that I would be addressing if the work was sitting on my workbench. Other than that, it looks like a fun and productive hobby you've taken.

Hope that helps!

It is indeed enjoyable.. especially since I've actually made a profit from it. I find working with the leather to be relaxing, and to actually produce something useful... priceless!

Thanks all for the great input!

[Freelander Sporrano]

I Was just thinking about the general thickness I'm never to sure about weights. We buy in sq feet and look at the thickness.The thinner it is the easier it is to work with of course . I was glad to see you have worked out your sporran in cardboard first. Many will remember this


It's the best way to work things out

[BLAZN]

I Was just thinking about the general thickness I'm never to sure about weights. We buy in sq feet and look at the thickness.The thinner it is the easier it is to work with of course . I was glad to see you have worked out your sporran in cardboard first. Many will remember this


It's the best way to work things out

Lovely mock up.

I'm going for a stiffer sporran than what you produce. I just measured out the leather I use... it's 8mm thick. The leather I use for my gussets, which I feel is not stiff enough for what I want to produce, is 4mm thick. Suppose I could get away with a 5 or 6mm thick leather, and still have the stiff look I'm after?

[Blu (Ontario)]

..... Many will remember this.....

*photo *....

I do.... and ever since I've been waiting for the "SUPER HERO" version Freelander Sporran to hit the streets!

.