I'd like to make a sporran

**Coemgen** · 16th October 07, 11:48 PM

One day, not too long ago, I was thinking about my upcoming Christmas party, and I said to myself, "Self, you dinnae hae a guid sporran. They're cursedly expensive, ye ken, so I think ye should mak it yourself." (I often converse with myself in a very bad Scots accent - myself isn't from Scotland, so he doesn't know the difference)

So, I decided to make a sporran.

This being decided, I then of course need to decide what kind of sporran to make. Reflecting on my meagre collection, and considering the fact that I would like some variety in my daily wear, and that I also could use a nice sporran for formal occasions. Thus, I decided that a full mask sporran would do nicely. Knowing mine and my family's fondness for novelty and our collective wacky sense of humour, I decided on skunk.

Now, this is good and well thus far in the theoretical work. To restate Mr. Chesterton, this sporran is, as is every sporran I never made, by far the best sporran I have ever made. I would, however, very much like to actually have the thing itself, not a mere mental image of how great it is.

Thus, I must act. I believe from my many readings of the posts on this forum and in the few books I have on Highland dress, that it would be conducive to my ends to purchase a skunk pelt (or two).

To make a long story short ("Too late!"), could anybody point me to a place where I could possibly purchase a skunk pelt of good quality but which I, being a Poor, Starving Liberal Arts Student, could afford without fasting for a week? Naturally, any helpful pointers with regards to construction of the sporran would be greatly appreciated.

**berserkbishop** · 17th October 07, 12:54 AM

A full mask is pretty ambitious for a first time sporran maker. Just curious, have you done much leather work before? If you have then are you planning to hand stitch this sporran. . . I cant imagine machine sewing a full mask but I am sure it can be and is done. As for where to acquire your skunk. . . Google is your best friend. Barring Google do you have any raw leather suppliers in your area. Depending on the season they often carry exotic pelts like for instance Skunk. Here in southern MO, I shop at Springfield leather company and they often carry rabbit pelts, alligator, there is even stingray-again depending on the season (I am considering making my next sporran out of stingray, it would be one of a kind I have a feeling). I dont know if this was any help but if you want any advice on stitching or anything like that, I am experienced in leather work-no where near the level of Freelander or Turpin-but I am am happy to share my knowledge as well. Good luck.

Bishop

**Coemgen** · 17th October 07, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

A full mask is pretty ambitious for a first time sporran maker. Just curious, have you done much leather work before? If you have then are you planning to hand stitch this sporran. . . I cant imagine machine sewing a full mask but I am sure it can be and is done. As for where to acquire your skunk. . . Google is your best friend. Barring Google do you have any raw leather suppliers in your area. Depending on the season they often carry exotic pelts like for instance Skunk. Here in southern MO, I shop at Springfield leather company and they often carry rabbit pelts, alligator, there is even stingray-again depending on the season (I am considering making my next sporran out of stingray, it would be one of a kind I have a feeling). I dont know if this was any help but if you want any advice on stitching or anything like that, I am experienced in leather work-no where near the level of Freelander or Turpin-but I am am happy to share my knowledge as well. Good luck.

Bishop

Actually, I was planning to super-glue the pelt to a 20 buck all leather sporran I have.

Yeah, I'm not very ambitious.

**berserkbishop** · 17th October 07, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by Coemgen

Actually, I was planning to super-glue the pelt to a 20 buck all leather sporran I have.

Yeah, I'm not very ambitious.

I guess that would work. I have not actually built a full mask sporran myself nor do I own one, but I was under the impression that USUALLY. . . (im not really one for sticking with whats "traditional") the entire sporran was made of the animal, in this case skunks, pelt. Correct me Xmarkers if I am wrong on that. Oh and I would recommend going with a contact cement rather than a super-glue. In the end the contact cement will be easier to apply over that large of an area and provides a great hold in my experience.

**McMurdo** · 17th October 07, 04:49 AM

I've never dealt with them but here are a few links

http://www.chichesterinc.com/Skunk.htm

http://www.facesoftheprairie.com/05furpelt.asp

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKUNK-PELTS-HIDE...QQcmdZViewItem

You might need to go get a head form from a taxidermist or something to help form the head shape. I am sure Turpin was just telling someone about that, hopefully he will chime in.

**auld argonian** · 17th October 07, 07:51 AM

I'll tell you what I really crave is one of those Rob Roy type sporrans but a really capacious one.

I saw this guy on Tartan TV running around looking for the Loch Ness Monster and he a sporran on that I have described to my wife as the size of a lunchbox...I can't find the clip on their website but suffice it to say that I was impressed.

So I'm always plotting and planning getting some nice supple leather and putting something like that together.

Besty

AA

**McFarkus** · 17th October 07, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

I'll tell you what I really crave is one of those Rob Roy type sporrans but a really capacious one.

You should check out the Thorfinn sporrans that Turpin makes (he's a member here) http://www.thorfinnsporrans.com/.

He will make it any size you want, and the interchangeable flaps are really cool.

**way2fractious** · 17th October 07, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Coemgen

... wacky sense of humour, I decided on skunk.

... a place where I could possibly purchase a skunk pelt of good quality but which I, being a Poor, Starving Liberal Arts Student, could afford without fasting for a week? Naturally, any helpful pointers with regards to construction of the sporran would be greatly appreciated.

PM me re: pelt and pointers.

(Brothers of the skunk clan must stick together when all around us raise a stink!

)

**McJore** · 17th October 07, 02:06 PM

by the tittle i tought you were going to make a whole sporran, im also new to this and made my own, its not very pretty but heck it works http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=31435
thats the link to my project, when youre finished i would like to see youre results good luck

**Panache** · 17th October 07, 03:13 PM

Kevin,

I applaud you for your desire to build a full mask sporran. A most ambitious project. You mention that you wish to take a a pelt and glue it it a simple leather sporran you already have.

From what I have seen, structurally, full mask sporrans have a different shape from the standard three tassle type sporrans. Gluing a pelt to one is going to be a bit off looking at best.

If I may offer an alternative.

At most large craft stores one can purchase a rabbit pelt for well under $10.

I imagine that you could easily find a relatively large celtic button for under $4
(Either at the craft store or your local sewing supply / fabric store).

Now instead of trying to make a full mask sporran I suggest you make a semi-dress sporran.

Carefully remove the tassles.

Cut out the pelt to the shape of the front of the leather sporran with cutouts for the snap and the tassle holes.

Glue the pelt to to the front of the sporran.

Re-attach the tassles.

File, saw, or clip off the button back of your celtic button.

Glue it on to cover the front snap of the leather flap.

voila'

A leather and fur semi dress sporran

This will give you a chance to play with fur and leather and figure out what you are comfortable with, without breaking the bank, and with a good chance of a nice end product.

Just my two cents

Cheers

Jamie