Musings on beltmakiing.

Buying a double shoulder would yield a bunch of belts. Be sure to buy either 7 or 8 oz leather or thinner if you plan to line the belt. I make most of my belts lined. I like a thick stiff belt.

True, it is hard to get longer blanks...and even harder to find long blanks in widths above 1 1/2 inches. If you decide to go this route: You need the leather, of course. You need something to cut the straps with, and a strap cutter is a pretty good way to do it. They don't cost much. And they will cut a nice straight/parallel strap. You can ask the leather supplier to ship it with a straight edge cut on it. Otherwise you have to make a straight edge to work from.

If you are going to put any stitching on it, especially if you line it, you need stuff with which to do it right. The best method is the saddle stitch. So, needles, a means to mark the stitch line, a way to make stitch holes, waxed linen thread, and a way to mark where you want the individual holes/stitches.

I like to use a pair of metal dividers. Run it down the edge of the leather, and you can mark your stitch line. Set it for the width of your stitches and walk it down the stitch line and you have your holes marked. You can also buy separate tools for this.

You need a stitching awl. This makes your holes.

An edger is a good thing to have. A #2 will take the edges off the leather, and aid in the edge treatment you use.

Dye...use a decent quality one. I like the alcohol based ones. They seem to penetrate well. And you need something to seal the dye or it will rub off/run/stain your clothes/kilt.

Chicago screws work really well. Don't buy ones that are too long, though. the 1/4" or 3/8" ones are about right. I've never had one come unscrewed, but some loc-tite would take care of that.

Sources? Sometimes I shop Tandy. But my preference is Springfield Leather, in Springfield, Missouri. http://www.springfieldleather.com They have a good selection, are really good to work with. I don't work for them, etc.

Sporrans: I use 4 oz leather. It is flexible. Doubled up it is stiff enough for the front and back sides. A little hard to carve, though, since it's so thin.

Belt making tutorials?
https://plus.google.com/photos/11548...441?banner=pwa

And of course, the classic on sporrans for the leatherworker...sure it has been posted here lots of times:
http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=0958

Roger