Sporran #14 WIP - Snakeskin Hunting Sporran

[turpin]

Fur also gets EVERYWHERE. It's so easy to end up with a seam line FULL of stray hairs. It's not a big deal to clear up, just irritating, ESPECIALLY when using waxed thread. The hair and wax just love each other.:

I'll second that! I often will use painters blue tape to hold fur away from a seam I'm sewing. It's not perfect, but it helps a lot.

Being greatly concerned with proportions, my 'personal' big thing with fur is 'volume control'. Certain furs are just bushy. Unless someone wants a particularly HUGE sporran, you have to design the bag starting with the finished size you want it to appear (including the fluff of hair), and then work backward with the underlying structure to make sure you don't end up with a 14"w sporran

I'll second that too! Width is more of an issue than length, considering how long a hair sporran is. If teh animal is really long-haired i'll sometimes recommend fur on the front panel only, and not on the gusset. It's the fur gusset that gives the bulk of the "bulk".

[artificer]

I'll second that too! Width is more of an issue than length, considering how long a hair sporran is. If teh animal is really long-haired i'll sometimes recommend fur on the front panel only, and not on the gusset. It's the fur gusset that gives the bulk of the "bulk".

I agree 100% with you here.

I personally recommend leather on the gusset (unless we're talking seal or another very tightly furred pelt).

Most pelts have enough body and loft to cover the 'roll' of the leather gusset on the face, or I'll use a slightly altered structure to wrap the fur around the front edge and attach it to the gusset, which is then sewn onto the back face of the front panel.

[Ryan Ross]

Ooo, now THAT is a cool sporran. Never seen another quite like it, and the closest I've seen was a Ferguson Britt in Python, so you're in good company.

Another masterpiece, Scott! Truly excelent, very clean work.

let me know, maybe we can work something out.

ith:

Mark makes the best buckles I've seen, Scott, and I do believe he could probably put almost any design on one; even a ginkgo leaf, I bet.

...just saying...

[artificer]

Ooo, now THAT is a cool sporran. Never seen another quite like it, and the closest I've seen was a Ferguson Britt in Python, so you're in good company.

Another masterpiece, Scott! Truly excelent, very clean work.

Thanks Ryan. That IS good company to keep.

Mark makes the best buckles I've seen, Scott, and I do believe he could probably put almost any design on one; even a ginkgo leaf, I bet.

...just saying...

Ohhh. Now that's an idea that hadn't occurred.

[English Bloke]

That is very impressive and I love that British Tan colour. For me I could swap the snakeskin and green trim for smooth black leather. Not that the sporran isn't lovely I'm just not partial to snakeskin. I'm not keen on crocodile either. I imagine if you used a green middle section too you'd generate some interest. Especially around St Patrick's Day. Nice work Scott. I really enjoy these WIP threads you put up. Cheers mate, thanks for bringing them to us...

[davidlpope]

Scott,

This is really great. I very rarely see this high degree of thought and care go into sporrans. It's the little things that stand out- the way you have "hidden" the end of the top strap rather than ending in the regular three-lobed design, the pinked trim that barely peeks out, etc. Really great work.

My hesitant criticism is this- is it possible to use a finer gauge waxed cord to sew the seams that are visible? Your stitching is very precise, but I think the "thread" itself is just a little too beefy and draws unneeded attention to those seams.

David

[artificer]

That is very impressive and I love that British Tan colour. For me I could swap the snakeskin and green trim for smooth black leather. Not that the sporran isn't lovely I'm just not partial to snakeskin. I'm not keen on crocodile either. I imagine if you used a green middle section too you'd generate some interest. Especially around St Patrick's Day. Nice work Scott. I really enjoy these WIP threads you put up. Cheers mate, thanks for bringing them to us...

Thanks John!

Sadly, I'm just about out of the tan, and cannot get any more from my supplier. Re: the inset, I've been pondering other uses for this style of bag. You've given me a few more things to think about.

Scott,

This is really great. I very rarely see this high degree of thought and care go into sporrans. It's the little things that stand out- the way you have "hidden" the end of the top strap rather than ending in the regular three-lobed design, the pinked trim that barely peeks out, etc. Really great work.

My hesitant criticism is this- is it possible to use a finer gauge waxed cord to sew the seams that are visible? Your stitching is very precise, but I think the "thread" itself is just a little too beefy and draws unneeded attention to those seams.

David

And thank you David. I really appreciate the critique from one who's style I admire as much as I do yours.

I will say that the thread IS less prominent in person- there is an issue photographing this leather in particular. The colour is quite chameleonic, and to get a picture with even get a reasonable approximation of the actual colour, I must tweak the levels quite a bit. This makes the thread appear to stand out more in the pictures... It's quite frustrating.

That said, I do know what you are saying about the heft of the thread. Thus far I've really only seen two gauges of leather thread, very thin (for machine) and this heavier gauge. I will spend some time today shopping online for a middle gauge (if my internet connection holds out).

Regarding the strap, it's the same style I used on the #5 hunting sporran. The #5 was already fairly intricate, with the brouging across the cantle, and this one just didn't need it. The 'club' strap attachment was in my original drawing, but when I got to building the cantle, the visible strap attachment just seemed to big and clumsy.

Thanks again, guys, for the feedback!
ith:

[Tartan Hiker]

I've wrestled with thread size and color myself, and finally come to realize that all the saddle-makers and other leather workers I know are right. White linen is best. It seems counter-intuitive, but white stitching will not be nearly as prominent as the darker thread. Size is important...I can't trust anything less than 5-ply linen, and that is fairly thick. I prefer 6-ply, and I still break that on occasion.

For those not familiar with this kind of stitching, you have to remember that there are no knots. The tightness of the threads within the awl holes is all that holds it all together. Pounding the stitching after you're done helps tighten everything up, but you still need some heft in the threads or it just won't hold up to constant use and stress.

The only time I use anything other than white is when I'm stitching black leather, or leather that I am going to dye black. Then I'll use black thread. Other than that, I stick to white.

Just my $.02.

[AKScott]

A few times I have untwisted five ply white linen thread and pulled out a thread or two, and then twisted back together a new thinner thread with 3 or 4 strands.

Kind of a pain in the neck, but as long as I cut each piece the same length I can use the off strands from the first couple pieces to make up a third one. Uses lots of beeswax too.

All five plies is right stout, I have assembled a couple tool belts for tradesmen, it is the leather that wears out first on those.

Crutch bands too. My brother in law gets around on crutches that come halfway up his forearms, with a leather strap in a loop at the top; he is pretty well paralyzed from the waist down. I used about 14 ounce vegetable tanned leather and five ply linen thread for those, everytime I inquire about them he or my sister insist the bands are finally broken in and better than new. I made them in 1995.

[Drac]

Howdy All,
Nope, this project didn't just disappear into the aether. Drac and I had busy schedules around the holidays, so our respective trades got bumped back a bit.

I've just put the finishing touches on the sporran, now it needs a day or so of conditioning while I finish up Drac's sporran straps.

The front


Side


Open


For those who like to know just how large sporrans are (Riverkilt, I'm looking at YOU ) The mouth is 6.25" across and the bag is ~8.65" tall.

This is in the same British Tan leather as #5-9, seen elsewhere.

As always, constructive commentary and critique are very welcome.
ith:

I wanted to get my part done before jumping into the thread again.

First thing I want to say is -

MINE!!

Second is that was one BIG snake!!

I really like the way the green trim looks on it. The whole package is sweet.

Jim