please help with sporran material decisions

[Tarheel]

PHEW! indeed new friend. Here are my thoughts on your question.

1) I bonded my thin skinned pelt to a thicker, tougher hide for the front of my sporrans. Reasons - Stiff enough to hold the shape of the sporran (large interior) I bonded the pelt with clear adhesive without stitching. My fur wraps around to the side and was sewn to the back. If I were just attaching fur to the front panel, I may not use adhesive when sewing would do the job.
2) I used thick leather for my flap. The weight keeps the sporran closed better.
3) I like a cloth lining that can be assembled separately and inserted (attached to the top rim of the inside sporran). Easy to replace if needed.
4) Magnetic snaps may or may not interfere with credit card and cell phones. I like mechanical closures of different kinds. Examples; post on front of sporran that pierces the flap, draw strings that loop from flap or loop onto a element on the flap, etc.
5) Lining choice should include amount of use from the sporran. Extra pockets for phones, keys and loose coins are great options for every day (roomy) sporrans and leather is a great material for that need. A formal sporran is usually for show and not as roomy. Dressy sporran, showy interior.
6) I've made both faced and wrap around fur sporrans. The wrap around fur was easier and faster to shape, design and sew. The fur faced took longer to stitch, took less fur (not a problem for me but could be with limited access to pelts) and seemed more formal looking by design and shape.
7) Children (age dependent) may damage tassels on sporrans. I think, keep the fur to minimum (faced instead of wrapped around to the sides). Add a special touch (emblem or badge) to a child's sporran and they will take more pride that it is their personal item.

That's all I have for now. I assure you, I am far from any kind of expert. There are members that can give you thoughts from the hundreds of sporrans they have made. I hope that any thing I offer will help. Good luck and post any photos and thoughts of your progress.