Sporran making...

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These pictures bring back some memories. Good effort there's nothing like wearing something you've made your self.

Just one comment the leather seems a little too thick. Get some around 2-2.5 mm it'll be easier to work with

What weight leather would that be? I've been using 9/10 ounce leather. Should I drop down to some 8/9 ounce or thinner?

It's easy for somebody (like me for instance) that's not experienced in a particular craft to tender their remarks without fully appreciating or understanding the difficulties involved in the work.

Oddly enough, it wasn't too hard. I punched the stitching holes before stitching it, so I never had to force a needle through the leather.
Putting designs onto and dyeing the leather are gonna be well learned lessons, though.

And I should say, that for a novice project, it looks fairly ambitious.... probably more than I would be able to tackle!

Thanks.

I think the general design is interesting and pleasing. I like the color of the leather as well. I might be inclined to make the flap a bit bigger though.

I tried a bigger flap on the cardboard mock up I did before I cut the leather. It looked best, to me, as it is.

The closure device will be important to the look as well. I've wondered on occasion, what a kilt strap and buckle might look like as a sporran closure. Just a thought.

I may try that... though I'm out of suede. Perhaps on a different sporran. I'm thinking of a rawhide loop over a celtic cross closure for the one pictured here.

I agree that the leather appears to be pretty thick. Perfect for a wide belt to match the sporran though. Here's a silly question.... Is it possible to shave the leather down in thickness (like taking the filet off a fish) at the flap to make it less stiff?

I could shave down the leather (called skiving, I do believe). It'd be far easier to just use a lighter weight (thinner) leather. Certainly something to look into... I might try some 1 or 2 ounces lighter for #4, etc.

It may be the photo, but the overall symmetry appears to be slightly off.... if so, that's something that's easily dealt with on subsequent projects with careful measuring and layout revisions.

That could be the shape. I've found that the gusset is easier to shape on sporrans with rounded bottoms as opposed to the angular bottoms like the one pictured here.

The fold over on the leather loop at the back looks a bit oversized, and it projects out from the leather back. Personally, I'd be inclined to make it without the fold over, but that's just me.

That was an experiment. I got the idea from a pouch I saw at a ren faire. It was also a chance to practice with rivet setting.

That's about it. Personally speaking, these are the issues that I would be addressing if the work was sitting on my workbench. Other than that, it looks like a fun and productive hobby you've taken.

Hope that helps!

It is indeed enjoyable.. especially since I've actually made a profit from it. I find working with the leather to be relaxing, and to actually produce something useful... priceless!

Thanks all for the great input!