Next project - Rob Roy sporran tutorial

[LKM]

For my next project I'm thinking about doing a tutorial on the"Rob Roy" sporrans. There are a few variations and I already have some leather I could use. I would need to pick up one piece of hardware. The main part I'm deciding on is what leather, brown, grey, or dark olive green. The olive green s what I backed the skunk with.

Some of the leathers I am thinking about using.


Basic patterns for the two most common types of "Rob Roy" sporrans. The first has 5 pieces of leather (not including lacing) while the other has 5 or 6 pieces of leather (not including lacing). The front and back/flap parts are the same for either type.


Before I do another fur I would like to make a better metal cantle then I have so far. I think I might need a few more tools or a rethink on the design.

[LKM]

Materials for the pattern:
- paper
- pencil
- art/drafting compass
- ruler

Materials for the sporran:
- leather
- leather lacing, you could be made from the same leather as above if you have enough
- something to sew the leather with, I recommend a strong thread or cord. I am using a nylon cord.
- a concho or button, I would recomend a screw back concho that is at least 1 inch in diameter for a beginner

I have the following concho on order. I think this one will work great for this style sporran.


Basics stitches for sewing leather

Different types of stitches that can be used:
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/leather-craft-abcs.html
http://www.42nd-dimension.com/nfps/i...itch_seams.gif

The simplest, yet effective stitch, the straight stitch or running stitch:
https://d2ch1jyy91788s.cloudfront.ne...tch-How-To.jpg
http://www.shushanna.com/pictures/sew3.GIF

The saddle stitch:
https://bagntell.files.wordpress.com...11/saddle1.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz89R7uhaj...dle+stitch.jpg
https://rchleather.files.wordpress.c...omparison2.png

A few stitches for around the round flap part:
Whipstitch: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...2f9fe2a36e.jpg
https://d2ch1jyy91788s.cloudfront.ne...h-1-How-To.jpg
Double loop: https://d2ch1jyy91788s.cloudfront.ne...oop-Stitch.jpg
Braided: http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/wp-c...oop_lacing.jpg

[LKM]

Before you start it is a good idea to look at the cost. If you are only expecting to make a single sporran and then never use the leather again it might cost more to make a sporran then to purchase a sporran. If, on the other hand, you expect to make several then making the sporrans could be far more affordable then purchasing them as one cow hide can have from around 25 to over 50 square feet of leather.

If you have chosen to make a sporran, choose the type of sporran you want to make. Pictures of the ancient sporran known as the "Rob Roy" sporran can be found at http://www.tartansauthority.com/highland-dress/ancient/

The most ancient is unknown yet expected to have less parts
The easiest will have 4 parts
The more popular today has 5 or 6 parts as there is a side section added

For this tutorial I will use try to show how both styles of the sporran can be made.

Examples of these pattern can be found in the first post.

Start with the main U shaped section of the sporran, drawing the outline on a piece of paper..
- First measure out the size you want your sporran as a rectangle on the paper and mark the center of the top and bottom of the rectangle.
- Use the compass to make curved edges at the bottom corners of the pattern.
- Mark places to sew two of these U shaped parts together. I normally use 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch in from the edge of the pattern for this, depending on the

leather I am planning to use.
- From the top center draw the outline of the front and back of the sporran to be attached. I recommend having the front and the back tab part of the

flap/back section the same size.
- Mark areas for the leather lace draw string close to the top of the pattern.

The front:
- Use the size that you out on the U shaped pattern.
- Mark sure the holes on the front part of the pattern line up with the holes for the U shaped section.
- Mark 6 holes for leather lacing that will be used to hold the sporran closed.

The back:
- Use the size that you out on the U shaped pattern.
- Use a compass to draw a circle for the main flap.
- Mark sure the holes on the back part of the pattern line up with the holes for the U shaped section.
- Mark 4 holes for on the back to indicate where slits will be cut.
- Mark holes for leather lacing around the circular part of the pattern.
- Mark a hole for the concho to be attached. If you are going to use a button, mark for pattern for holes that match the button.

The sides (optional):
- Use the number of holes around the U shaped part to determine the length of the side parts. The holes for the side and the U shaped section should line up

with each other.
- Determine the width of the sides. This could be from 1 to 3 inches.
- Mark areas for the leather lace draw string close to the top of the pattern.

Once the pattern parts are made, cut out the pattern from the paper.

[LKM]

Yesterday after my post I made a pattern on paper and cut the leather. I decided on one of the brown leathers I had not used in a while. I have not had this simple of a pattern in years.

[LKM]

If you have never sewn leather, please see the links above for additional sewing information.

- Start by putting leather lacing through the front piece of leather and tie knots in the ends of the leather lace. It is easier to put his in before this leather part is sewn onto U shaped piece of leather.
- Sew the front part to one U shaped section.
- Sew the back to the other U shaped section.


If you are making the simpler style without sides:
- Sew the two U shaped parts together while they are inside out.


If you are making the style with a side section:
- Sew the side section onto one of the U shaped pieces of leather so that the parts are inside out.
- Sew the side section to the other U shaped piece of leather so that the sporran is inside out.


For both:
- Flip the sporran so that it is no longer inside out.
- Lace the drawstring holes with leather lace and tie knots on the end of the leather lace.
- Lace around the flap part of the sporran with a decorative type of stitch.
- Attach the concho or button on the flap.
- Post a picture of your finished sporran so people can see how it looks.


I am currently waiting on the concho to arrive.

[LKM]

The sporran is almost done. I am waiting for is the concho I ordered to arrive. Once it does it should leek better then the screw in the picture above.

[LKM]

The concho came in and the sporran is done.