Leather for Sporran Making

**ABG0819** · 13th April 14, 01:55 PM

I have been considering trying to build my own sporran, but have been having a hard time finding a supplier for leather. Yes, I have considered finding a leather coat at Goodwill/Thrift stores to practice with and probably will. However I got to wondering how the hide gets from animal to ready to use? I have friends who hunt so deer and other wild game hides would not be hard to come by but then what?? I know that we have so wonderful leather workers on this forum and I would love to learn from your experiance.

Graham

**1oldsarge** · 13th April 14, 02:28 PM

Google Tandy Leather. They have a store in Raleigh and large mail order.

**Chas** · 13th April 14, 02:45 PM

I agree 100% with Tandy Leather Factory. I believe that they are currently having a store wide sale.

**artificer** · 13th April 14, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by ABG0819

I have been considering trying to build my own sporran, but have been having a hard time finding a supplier for leather. Yes, I have considered finding a leather coat at Goodwill/Thrift stores to practice with and probably will. However I got to wondering how the hide gets from animal to ready to use? I have friends who hunt so deer and other wild game hides would not be hard to come by but then what?? I know that we have so wonderful leather workers on this forum and I would love to learn from your experiance.

Graham

The process of tanning leather is quite involved, but there are two main types.

Vegetable tanned leather- (USUALLY tooling leather, but there are other types like harness/bridle leather)

and

Chrome tanned leather (jackets, gloves, etc).

If your friends hunt and you would like the hides tanned you can look up tanneries in your area. There is usually a small or even 'hobby' tanner for hides in any area with enough wildlife to sustain hunting.

As has been recommended, Tandy Leather is a good place to start.

ith:

**MNlad** · 13th April 14, 03:52 PM

Tandy, definitely. You'll find a variety of leather types, weights, and tanning methods. For a one-off sporran, check the scrap bins—you might find a piece just big enough for part of your project.

**Orionson** · 14th April 14, 03:32 AM

There is an eBay Shop called Distant Drum(s?) which specialises in already tanned full and partial hides from a wide range of animals. Their prices are very reasonable. I believe they are based in the US. Some may be too soft to sporrans, but you may find something suitable which strikes your fancy. Good luck & have fun.

**HippieLee** · 14th April 14, 03:46 PM

The sporran in my album (linked in my sig) was made at Tandy (with a lot of lacing at home as they don't have all day for me to sit and lace lol)) from Tandy leather - it was a cheap, 4~6oz low-end piece but came out well (I think).
I started going to Tandy as they have classes nearly ever Saturday in my area and that sporran was the first one I made - we did it in a 2 day class where we learend to draw out the pattern, trace it on the leather, cut the pieces, tool the design and lace it all up. It was VERY satisfying and I highly encourage you to try it.

Remember you probably won't be able to tool a design in anything you recover from a leather garment as they are most likely chrome tanned - but still good practice for designing and cutting and sewing.

I have a long way to go to be in the same neighborhood as the fine artisans on this site but I only started this past summer and love it so much that'll be continuing for as long as I live.

**Bluescelt** · 14th April 14, 04:04 PM

If you are close enough to a Tandy store I'd suggest you go there. The range of thickness, suppleness and price can vary greatly so to see and feel the leather is an advantage in making a decision. Another option at Tandy is the scrap bin. They may have a box that all scrap is collected from classes that they give. You buy pieces by weight and you may get lucky finding enough of a specific leather to complete your project. Otherwise you'll have to buy a full side which can run quite a few dollars. I bought the leather for my last brass cantle project this way. Scott (Artificer) may be able to give you a estimate of how many sporrans can be made from a full side hide.
Another place to check is with a Taxidermy shop. You may be able to buy some small fur pieces already tanned from them. Good luck with your project!

**ABG0819** · 14th April 14, 06:19 PM

I looked on the Tandy website and I'm not sure if I am ready to spend the amount on a full side yet but someone said there is a store in Raleigh so next time I'm there I'm going to check out the scraps and see what I find. Boy that was a heck of a run on sentence....but anyway.I want something to practice on first. Thanks for the advice. And Hippielee I admired that sporran when you posted it in another thread. Quite a beautiful piece of work.

**HippieLee** · 14th April 14, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by ABG0819

I looked on the Tandy website and I'm not sure if I am ready to spend the amount on a full side yet but someone said there is a store in Raleigh so next time I'm there I'm going to check out the scraps and see what I find. Boy that was a heck of a run on sentence....but anyway.I want something to practice on first. Thanks for the advice. And Hippielee I admired that sporran when you posted it in another thread. Quite a beautiful piece of work.

Thank you very kindly! Check with Tandy often (or even sign up for their newsletter) as they have sales all the time. I personally think it's worth it to join their club to get extra discounts. I've saved way more than the 35 bucks the gold membership cost me. On stuff I was going to buy anyway.