my first Rob Roy style

**druid** · 23rd March 10, 11:54 PM

Well, I found a good pattern with great detail and made my first RR style and I really like it. It's very plain because I'll be using it as a "side/back pouch" when I'm Bagpiping, so it's utilitarian in appearance.

The bag leather and gusset is black pig skin splits, finished on one side and suede on the other. The front reinforcement piece and back brace/front flap section was made from scrap I had laying around. I think it's 6oz leather and would have used something thicker, had I had any around...lol. I made the button from a Whitetail antler I had laying around and the cordage is black 550 paracord.

I used my Brother sewing machine for the entire bag and it went together very nicely.

**druid** · 23rd March 10, 11:55 PM

**Mipi** · 24th March 10, 02:12 AM

As you said; it looks plain but it's made very well. It'll do the job, I'm sure.

**longhuntr74** · 24th March 10, 04:31 AM

It's very nice I think! Good showing!

**thescot** · 24th March 10, 06:35 AM

Now that's a very nice looking sporran.

I'm no leather worker (although making a sporran is on my bucket list), but I would think that the nylon ties might be a little "slick," i.e., they will tend not to hold fast when pulled tight. Is there a reason why you didn't use leather thongs?

Just wondering because I don't know beans about this stuff

**druid** · 24th March 10, 09:41 AM

I know what you are saying about the 550 cord and thought about that myself but I didn't have enough of the right weight leather to make the lace...lol. This was a "spur of the moment' project.

I went one hole smaller on my hole punch and they seem to be holding very very well. Sueded pig skin is very 'grabby' leather and grips the cord pretty tightly.

**jordanjm** · 24th March 10, 09:56 AM

It looks great. How powerful of a sewing machine do you have? Did it get hard to sew the leather at all?

**Earl D** · 24th March 10, 11:46 AM

Sweet sporran, druid. Where did you find the pattern?

**Eleazar** · 24th March 10, 08:31 PM

Great job. Nice style.

Got any pics of construction?

**druid** · 24th March 10, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by jordanjm

It looks great. How powerful of a sewing machine do you have? Did it get hard to sew the leather at all?

Thanks. My machine is a $99 WalMart-purchased Brother model so it's not like it's a Tippmann mega-stitcher...lol.

The Pig skin is a garment grade leather...probably in the 2-3oz leather class. It's very soft and supple. The other leather I used for the flap I think is around 6oz and no, the machine went through it fairly easily. One thing I should mention though, I only use heavy duty needles and I sharpen them myself. The thread I use is an "outdoor grade/UV stabilized" heavier nylon thread. For needle sharpening, I use a ceramic knife sharpener and it makes them OMG sharp.

One thing about this leather though...you HAVE to go SLOWLY. Pig skin splits and other sueded leathers are a little "sticky" and can twist under the foot when the claw tries to advance the material. If you aren't careful and don't go slowly, this will cause weird stretching and twisting and give you problems with sewing straight lines [where you want them].

Originally Posted by Earl D-

Sweet sporran, druid. Where did you find the pattern?

Thanks. I actually, don't remember but I'll try and upload it for everyone's benefit.

Originally Posted by Eleazar

Great job. Nice style.

Got any pics of construction?

Thanks and no, sorry I didn't think ahead enough to get them. This Sporran went from a pile of leather to what you see here in about 2 hours. It took linger to make and cut my cardboard patterns than it did to cut all the pieces out...lol. Sewing took about 40 mins tops.

EDIT: Sorry, there's no way for me to upload the pdf. file that is the pattern. Perhaps I can get pics of my templates and post them instead.....