Newbie in SC

[katmills2005]

Hello,

I've just registered and trying to sift through the info on the board now. I have two children, my son in particular is very interested in his Scottish roots. We life just south of Greenville, SC and attend a number of Highland Games throughout the year.
My son wants a sporran, but I told him he has to make his first one himself. I'm going to take him through tanning the hide and all that, however I was hoping to find some patterns for making a sporran or information on where to get the hardware needed.

Any help would anyone can offer will be appreciated.

Thanks again.


Kat

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Hi Kat,

I suggest you search for sporrans in the Kilt Accessories or DIY forums, you should find what you need there.

Welcome to the rabble from a Scot in Japan!

[TimC]

Welcome to the forum and the addiction

-Tim

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Hello Kat,

Welcome to the forum from just north of you.
Glad to have you as a member.
We have several local members who go to many of the
games in NC, SC, TN, and GA.

There are also several DIY'ers here on the board.
You may want to post your question in the DIY section as well.

Look forward to meeting you at one of the games.

[ozmeath]

Welcome Kat, good to hear the family's in on the obsession. I'd recomend running a search on sporran making here as there's plenty of makers here!
Let us know if you still can't find what you need.
Cheers.

[Alan]

Welcome aboard from Georgia.

[MacWage]

Welcome from over a few dozen miles (Clinton/Laurens area).

As for making one's own sporrans, I have about 5 in various states of completion (each of a different construction method and look). A "full size" one can be from 6 by 6 to 8 by 8. Most "dress sporrans" (it seems) are around 7 by 9. The construction varies from two flat panels sewn together with the back one forming the flap over the opening to complex 8-12 panels fixed together in a puzzle.

My first "customized" one was one converted from a reenactment ammo/shoulder bag bought from 96 District Storehouse in Abbeville, SC (I cut off the attatch shoulder strap and riveted the stubs to form sporran belt loops)-> which can be seen in the Greenville Games pics.

A basic guide is available in J. Charles Thompson's "So Your Going to Wear the Kilt" in the appendicize. These are worth the price of the book itself and a constant reference for MANY, MANY here.

The main thing is to make the front and back panels in an appropriate size to the kilter's height and "build." Also, a gusset (a side panel between the front and back panels) provides much welcome interior room to the finished pouch.

Do a search on sporrans and you WILL find many, many usable pics.

As I work in a Greenville retail establishment, PM me and we could arrange a face-to-face for further discussion.

[katmills2005]

Alan, I remember you from the Loch Hartwell Games. You had some wonderful Kilts there. Great to hear from you again.

MacWage, thank you for the offer. I will indeed send you a PM. I have someone that is supposed to be supplying me with either deer or fox for tanning. I haven't tanned anything in years so this will be interesting. Hopefully I won't mess it up.

I've searched the web, and found one site that gave a detailed discription of a sporran but no patterns available and no place to buy the hardware alone. Plenty of folks selling the finished product though. I prefer to teach my kids more about the history and how to appreciate the things they have. Making his own will make sure he fully understands how special the piece is.

[mkmound]

Kat, welcome from North Texas!

Good on ya for starting your son out young -- I like the idea of encouraging them to do thing on their own to understand the value!!

[MacWage]

I remembered an online Sporran pattern I found a while back:

North West Territory Alliance (a reenactment group)
http://www.nwta.com/

go to resources

Then: Clothier/ Patternmaster

Then: Non-commercial Patterns and Instructions

Then: 291 Sporran, circa 1750-80 (62k). "Rob Roy" style for use by the 42nd and other highland troops.

Download is free for PDF file for Acrobat Reader
If want them to copy and mail it to you: $1 (to cover costs)

There are also other neat patterns there too.

Additionally, an inexpensive source for leather:
Goodwill/Salvation Army
Get leather jackets and/or purses