I think Alan is very gifted in his ability to analyze and work with numbers. As an Engineer, it is something I can relate to.

He got me to thinking about the sporrans I have made. It is a hobby for me right now, so I'm not looking to make a lot of money. I do it for fun. And I'm not trying to drum up business. As a matter of fact I'm taking the summer off.

However, I thought there might be some other DYI's out there who might be interested. I know there is a 19% VAT on the materials I buy also.

I've itemized my costs and time below. It doesn't come out right when I go from preview to actual view so I've marked direct costs with an * and hours with a #. It's summarized at the end.

Sporran Costs
Item Direct Cost Hours
(euros)

Travel to Purchase Materials
Train Ticket divided by 5 sporrans 4*
Travel time, 8 hrs divided by 5 sporrans 1.6#
Lunch, 12 euro divided by 5 sporrans 2.4 *

Material Costs
Leather-80 euro per sheet, 5 sporrans /sheet 16*
Lacing 8*
Leather Dye 3.5*
Leather finish 3.5*
Rivets 0.5*
Heavy Thread 0.5*
Gusset Leather 5*
Magnetic Closure 3*
D rings 0.4*
Sponges 0.25*

Tool Depreciation 2*

Mailing
Postage 8*
Mailing envelope 1.5 *

Assembly
Tracing Outline Pattern 0.25#
Cutting Out Pieces 0.4#
Tracing front flap pattern 0.4#
Cutting front flap pattern 0.6#
Stamping front flap pattern 2#
Cutting other pieces 0.5#
Dying pieces 0.5#
Punching sewing holes 0.5#
Sewing front panel to gusset 1#
Punching lacing holes 0.6#
Lacing 1.3#
Painting design if required 2#
Applying finishes 0.5#
Clean-up 0.5#

Shipping
Preparing for shipping 0.4#
Drive to Post Office 0.6#
Gas Costs 3*

Total euro cost for materials and expense 61.55*
Total Labor Hours 13.65#
Conversion to US $ at 1 euro = 1.38 USD $84.94
Total Labor costs @ $10/hr $136.5

This was purely an intellectual exercise and is not intended to relate to what I actually charge nor am I suggesting what anyone else should charge.

Sporrans, like kilts, are available in a wide variety of styles, materials, and quality.
In a free marketplace, purchases are the coming together of a willing seller and a willing buyer.

I guess I'll have to keep working to support my hobby!

Cheers,
Tom