Not As Succesful DIY For Your Edification:

[Mike S]

Not all of them can be winners. After I've drafted a new pattern, I sometimes fabricate a mock up in cheap "bonded leather" (think fake leather "pleather" upholstery material) before proceeding in real leather.





I learned some things from this experiment fabricated over the weekend:

A. I generally dislike buckstitched borders and edges, despite trying it out here. I made the lacing too thick and wide, and it looks very bulky and heavy handed. Granted, the "bonded leather" doesn't remain stable like real leather, and pulls out of shape with such a treatment.

B. I don't like the gusset to be stitched to the back portion on the face, and vastly prefer the edge to wrap around to the back as it does with the front panel.

C. Something that I already knew but disregarded here; to wit, all edges look infinitely better when either folded over and stitched, or bound/piped with a separate binding strip stitched into place.

Things that I do intend to carry over to the finished, leather version:

A. The bill and ID patch pocket design that I worked into the lining "leather".
B. I think that I drafted a well proportioned basic day sporran, and that the pattern will
produce a nice sporran, finer details and construction snafus not withstanding.

I'm posting this not as a point of pride. Rather, as a self critique of less successful but nonetheless edifying experiments for the benefit of those making their own gear.

[plaid preacher]

Wow, Mike! I would say you are a harsh critic. I think the overall effect looks very good. I did notice the pulling on the flap you mentioned, but overall, I thought it was a very good attempt. I'm sure with real leather and this experience the sporran you make will look fantastic. Can't wait to see the finished project.

[Mike S]

Well thank you. The German side of my family tree makes me ever critical, but I know the flaws and expect much better of my work.

As I said, I do this sort of mock up to work out such kinks, so that I'm not wasting good materials. I wanted to illustrate my process here, warts and all. ;)

[Stitchwiz]

I can empathize with you, Mike. I share similar hereditary traits. It can be frustrating, but the final results are worth it. Looks like you have figured out exactly what you want.

Your next one will go together much more easily that this one. Looking forward to seeing it!

[Bluescelt]

Getting better at sporran design and construction is a trial and error experiment for me. I found it's good to have some extra material to do a test run before applying it to an actual piece. Keep up the good work Mike!

[Dughlas mor]

Yes, that German side can be beneficial if you know what to do with it! I have a fair bit myself. A very interesting post, and I`m looking forward to seeing the final result.

[Taskr]

Mike,

Good looking design.

On your point "B. I don't like the gusset to be stitched to the back portion on the face, and vastly prefer the edge to wrap around to the back as it does with the front panel"

I was looking at that when putting my first sporran together, and could not come up with a process that would allow me to do it. Later, I wondered if stitching the entire sporran inside out would work - depending I guess, on the flexibility of the leather used for the gusset, sporran front and back. If flexible enough, then the sporran in its entirety might be "floppy" when the design seems to call for some rigidity. I'd be most intersted in what you've come up with to accomplish the double wrap-over.

[Mike S]

Taskr,

The manner of accomplishing this can be done in one of three methods. I've sketched a quick cut away drawing to illustrate this:



Having stitched the gusset to the front panel right sides together, and turned it under to the back, you can either:

A. Glue down the gusset to the back panel at line A, and then fold the remainder "B" over to the back, glue it down, punch your stitching holes along line A through all the layers and stitch.

B. Stitch the gusset at point A, fold the gusset edge "B" over to the back and just glue it in place.

C. Glue the gusset to the rear panel at point A in the front, wrap around "B" to the back and glue. Then take a strip of leather, glue down around the edge of all the layers as a binding, and stitch through all to finish.

[kiltedtom]

Mike,

Actually, I like it. I have done some leather work in the past. Mmy father liked to do primitive hunting and camping. So I made him a mountain many outfit, circa 1820's style, complete with beadwork. (The outfit itself took about 4 weeks to create. the beadwork, on the other hand, took about 3 years to complete. LOL) And your work was much better than mine.

Kepp it up.

Tom

[MacEanruig]

Mike, I would wear that sporran with absolutely no regrets. Great job!