Finished the DIY sporran

[Richland]

I had started this under a thread about tassels, and decided to show the finished item under a new thread. Mods feel free to delete previous thread (DIT tassels)

Here it is, patterns and item, for comparison purposes. If anyone wants more detail i can provide more photos etc. it took about 5 hours to build, mostly the cantle building and polishing. it still looks rough but i think it gives it a rugged look.
I would like input and ideas, likes, and dislikes.

[Nerts]

Nice work! I like the tassles on the chain. That's a great idea.

E.

[cavscout]

Very Nice. Can you give more detail on the Cantle. I've been considering doing some cantle work and am curious about how difficult various thicknesses of metal are to work with and decorate. How thick the metal is, did you grind the edges, will you anodize, paint or seal the metal...?

[Richland]

I used 40 ths. stainless steel. Simply because it was what i could scrounge from the metal shop trash nearby. I was able to cut two with a good set of snips. i drilled the holes and used simple rivets to secure the two pieces together. The Sporran fabric is sandwiched between the two pieces. The post I used to for the top closure is a brass piece i got from some old leather working stuff laying around. It is a 3/8 inch long post which could be hamered on the backside like a rivet. I have a bunch if anyone needs one. i will supply more detailed photos if need be.

[Richland]

Here is a look see into the opening. I made it as simple as possible.
I would like to make another one to fix all the mistakes on this one.
I certainly learned alot. I could buy real cantles, and tassels etc. But from scratch is half the fun. I did see some very nice tassels in the curtain section of our local fabric and craft store. This design will let me add or change tassels to the outfit, or mood.

[A Hay]

Very ingenious, Richland.

You mentioned buying cantles. I've been looking around and have not found a site that sells just cantles.

Does anyone know of a website?

I have a nice grey/white skin that would make a nice dress sporran, but I haven't done anything with it yet.

Tom

[Ayin McFye]

That's some awesome work you've done. I have absolutely no artistic talent at all when it comes to making things or drawing. You've probably got more talent in your little finger than i do in my entire body. I even mess up on stick figures, so great job, and keep up the great work!

[turpin]

This looks like a fine DIY project, especially the way you created the Cantles from savaged material. Recycle!.

I would suggest considering a wider gusset on you next attempt. I make my Rob Roys with a 3" gusset. If you are allowing 3/8" per seam times 2 seams, That leaves only a 1" effective gusset. I'd add at least 1/2", maybe a full inch. My major complaint about most sporans is lack of useful room.

cheers

[Richland]

Granted this manequin is a bit skinny for my full figure
but here is the way it looks matched with the Shadow kilt from Stillwater.
Turpin I understand the need for room in the Sporran but i have built others with more room and did not like the way they stood out.
tradition states the following items need to be kept in a sporran: flask o' scotch, handkerchief, one Shilling, and I cant remember the other items.
can anyone remember?
modern requirements are: digital camera (for Xmarks posting), cell phone, car keys, more than that beats you up.... this has room for all the above.
I put an internal pocket in it to organize wallet, and cell phone.

[Kiltman]

Congratulations on your cantle. For those of us who make sporrans (DIY) they are almost impossible to get.