How to dye leather sporran

[Hachiman]

Hey, there!

Is there any way to turn a black SWK day sporran brown? I've dyed a brown leather belt black before, but am unsure if it would work on this newly imagined project?

What say yee?

Hi Pipesndrumsnun

To quote Rev. Lovejoy (from the Simpsons cartoon): "yes, with an 'if'..and no, with a 'but'."

In my experience with leatherworking, when it comes to dye-ing something, you can go from "light to dark" but you can't go from "dark to light". So if you wanted to dye the sporran, it won't work.

However, there are leather paints available which may achieve a similar result. There's a few drawbacks to leather paints though... unlike a dye, paints don't change the color of the fibers of the leather. Instead, it's an actual layer of paint over the leather (just like painting wood). However, leather-specific paints will eventually flake off, resulting in a rather poor appearance. And, unlike wood, you can't sand the paints off - and leather doesn't like strong solvents.

So, I guess it's up to you. If you're willing to accept that you may have a flakey-looking sporran in a few years time, then go for a good-quality leather paint. Certainly, don't try to dye it a lighter shade...

Or, take the opportunity to either a) buy a new one, or b) cover the black leather with a brown fur (as Panache just posted - I shoulda known I couldn't type faster than a Moderator! )

regards
Hachiman