Question about making a sporran

[Qonos]

Hi,
i have never done a project like this so i have some ,maybe stupid, questions.

My first question is about this rounded along the sporran. is it made of a thinner lleather? and is it just air inside? Is there anything speciel to think of when you make them?



//Magnus

[auld argonian]

Like many things, you would probably see what's going on more clearly if you physically examined a sporran. I certainly now know that this is true for those of us who are working on making our own kilts. Sporrans aren't always "everyday items" in some parts of the world, though, so it's certainly possible that you wouldn't be able to get your hands on one so that you could see the construction details.

The type of sporran that you illustrated has a stiff front and back and the sides, referred to as the "gusset", is soft and flexible. The other type of sporran is the Rob Roy type; a prime example of which is the Freelander Sporrans. This type is more of a modified softer drawstring bag with a flap over the open end.

There was a decent pattern available on line somewhere and it was mentioned in a couple of earlier threads on sporran construction.

http://www.nwta.com/patterns/pdfs/291sporr.pdf


Best

AA

[James MacMillan]

The side parts of this type of sporran is thin flexible leather. Yes - Just air inside, unless you want to add some personal pockets or attachments when you make it.

Before you cut the leather, make several mock-up sporrans. Try out different sizes. Make one in thick canvas or better before you cut the expensive leather.

Look at many web-sites to get ideas about attachments or pockets to put inside, because these should be put inside before the outside is sewn up.

[Qonos]

tha part a ment when i talked about "air inside" whas the onei marked with a red "circle"



Thanks for the quick reply.

[James MacMillan]

It looks puffy just because the leather is folded over on itself.

[MacMullen]

I've found that a good way to prototype something that I'm going to make in leather is to first make it in vinyl. That way, I get a good idea how it will look and whether or not what I want to do will work.

Plus, after I'm finished with the vinyl, my kids have something else to play with.

[A Hay]

I'm workin on two belt pouches which I make using the same technique as for making a sporran.

Here is a picture showing how I attache the gussett to the front panel and then a finished front panel behind it. I turn the inside of the leather out, place it on the front panel (in which I have punched holes already) and then using a sewing awl, I sew the gusset to the front panel. the I turn the gusset inside out over the edge of the front panel. I have started making the gusset about 1/2 inch longer on each end and folding and using leather glue, cement it over. This makes a finished top edge to the gusset and makes it a little stiffer.





The second image shows the completed edge of a couple of others. I attach the front gusset and panel to the back panel by lacing with leather lacing.

This works for me since I don't have a sewing machine.

Hope this gives you some insight on one technique.
As others have said, look at as many types as you can, and then practice. I've made about 25 now, and still have my first one. It looks pretty crude next to what I'm doing now, but I still am improving and learning new techniques.

Best wishes,
Tom

tha part a ment when i talked about "air inside" whas the onei marked with a red "circle"



Thanks for the quick reply.

[Moosedog]

Yes, the puffy-looking part is just because the gusset is attached to the front panel on the inside, so the leather has to curl around it once the sporran is turned right side in. You can see this especially on the first photo from Tom where he has just turned his after stitching.

Moosedog