Leatherworkers, your advice please

[KiltedBrewer]

I found a copy of "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt" at my local library and I'd like to make myself the pouch style sporran, i.e. the one with the drawstring around the opening. My leatherwork experience began and ended with stamping and riveting a key fob in 6th grade shop class, so I need some advice.

1. What are the absolute minimum tools that I'll need to make this sporran? And what other tools will make my life easier?

2. What should I look for in leather? (It seems to me from the post that I'll need some sort of soft leather for the front, back, gusset, and a piece to cover the lid(?), and some stiffer leather for the lid and the front stiffener.)

Unfortunately, there's no Tandy here, so please be as specific as possible since I'll be shopping online.

Thanks in advance,
David

[Bugbear]

Get yourself a good awl and an extremely sharp knife if not a leather working knife. You can shop Tandy on line, and I think those are probably good tools.

[Thunderbolt]

I did just exactly what you are talking about, about two months ago. Here's how it turned out;






Ok, I'll give you the run down.

1) Make a pattern. It's not that hard, really. You'll need some durable material like tyvek or a heavy pastic. Flexable, but easy to cut with scissors.

2) Decide the materials you'll need (Why you're here). I picked up a "belly" of 7-8oz vegetable tanned tooling leather. Also some "economy suede". I left everything natural colored, but get some dye if you're going to color it. You'll need some leather laceing or cord of some sort.

3)Tools:

-First, a GOOD hole punch. The rotory kind are ok if you spend the money on a good one. The punch style is what I use now. And a hammer/mallet if you use the punch style.

-You'll need a good sharp leather knife. I use a razor knife. The snap-off kind so when it gets dull, you break off the end for a new blade.

-A long straight edge. A 12" metal rule will work. But not wood or plastic. The rule will help with the layout also.

-Some sort of punching block. I used and old cork board, but most anything will work to keep from punching holes in your table!

-If you have access to a heavy-duty sewing machine, great. If not, you'll need either leather stitching awl and stitcher, or double needles and thread. A prick wheel and stitch groover make it easier, but not entirely needed. I'm lucky that I have an old sewing maching that'll stitch through two layers of suede with no problem.

-Leather glue. I use the permenent type, not just the rubber cement type. Also a can of leather lacquer as well.

-A edge finisher. I use the wheel kind with saddle soap, but the stuff called gum tragancath works well, I hear.

-If you intend on putting eyelets on the pouch, you'll need the eyelets of the right size and the setter of the correct size also. I didn't bother with this.

-Some things that are nice, but not really needed; a layout compass and dividers and a fine-tipped marker.

The real key, for me anyway, was getting the patter layed out first, then writting down my procedure. For instance, it's nearly impossible to stich on the belt tab AFTER everything is assembled.

Let me know if there's anything I can help with.

Good luck!

Thunderbolt

[Southern Breeze]

In addition to Thunderbolts list I would add the Hand Stitching Kit from Tandy. I purchased one when I first started leatherworking. The book alone is well worth the price. Being able to hand sew leather opens all sorts of doors.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/p...umber=11189-00

[Carolina Kiltman]

Very nice work. I'll have to see about doing one for my self. BTW like the tartan! IMHO it is the best looking of the lot.

[Bugbear]

Oh good; Southern Breeze posted a link to Tandy. I forgot to come back and do that.

[AzureLupine]

if you have a tyre re-treading facility in your area, a peice of treading makes for a great punching surface.
-Az

[Thunderbolt]

Very nice work. I'll have to see about doing one for my self. BTW like the tartan! IMHO it is the best looking of the lot.

Aye, it is the best, isn't it?!

It's really not all that hard to make one. But the initial tools and leather can make the wallet sensitive for a bit. But certainly way less than the price of a new kilt!

Thunderbolt

[Blupiper]

I use a punch awl when doing a few holes and an electric drill with a very small bit (buy extras) when doing a long line of them. Mocking up a pattern in a stiff cloth or such can give you good ideas. My punching surface is an old piece of hardwood from an ash tree we cut down in the yard years ago. Split out a segment, surfaced it and let it season. Careful with the economy suede, it can be fragile at the wear points and don't use if for lacing. There, that's about 2 cents worth.

JMB

[Eric Peterson]

Thunderbolt, thanks for the detailed pics. I am on the hunt for a rabbit fur coat I can recycle into a pouch style like that. I wasn't sure how I was going to go about it...I like the leather knot clasp also. Thanks