Hand Made Rob Roy Sporran!

[Improv1]

I have finally finished my first leather prototype of the Rob Roy Sporran. The fabric ones that I made helped considerably, but working with the actual leather was a big jump. I need to find black leather lacing, and make some tassels for the ends. Now I have a much better understanding of what to do/not to do when I make the next one.
1-Bigger pouch. It should hang more at the front.
2-Chain belt has to go. It looks good, but I'm sure it will wear the wool.
3-Improve my stitching skills. They look a little Frankensteinish on close inspection.
Any other suggestions?





**Digital photography and alcohol don't mix**

[Panache]

It looks quite good to me.

Well done!

[BLAZN]

I simply have to buy Thompson's book... so I can try my luck at a Rob Roy.

Anyway, if you plan to do a fair amount of leather work, but not quite enough to warrent the mucho deniro for a machine, then I would recommened one of these:
http://www.tandyleather.com/products.asp?number=1216-00

I use one of these on my own sporrans, and it makes thinks turn out pretty nicely.

[Improv1]

That looks like my awl! I got it from a friend a week ago, and this was my first attempt at using it for a real item. I just need to practice my stitching a bit more before I try it on the real sporran.
What is the book you are referring to? It may be something for me to check out!

[BLAZN]

The book is "So You Want to Wear a Kilt" by *cough* Thompson. Word has it that there's an appendix which includes a pattern for a nice Rob Roy sporran from which a few gents have produced great sporrans. Freelander sporrans are also based on this pattern, so I gather, and look damned fine.

[A Hay]

Congratulations on making your first sporran. I hope it won't be the last. There are so many possbilities to try.

I haven't tried a Rob Roy yet. I've been working on variations on traditional sporrans.

My first sewing also looked awful. What seems to work for me is cutting a shallow groove in the leather a uniform distance from the edge and then pre-punching the holes at uniform intervals. I do this on the stiff front and back panels, not the soft gusset. I punch the holes in the stiff panels, then line up the soft gusset and push the needle through the prepunche hole and through the gusset. Tandy Leather Factory has tools to do this and they are not too expensive. Then it becomes a matter of practice.

I'm working on sporran #6 over Christmas. The first 3 had major flaws, but the last two came out rather nice. I figure by the time I finish #10, I'll have it down.

Good luck on your next one!

Tom

[turpin]

Scroll down to the bottom of this page and check out the 1, 3, 4, and 8-prong punches.

http://www.tandyleather.com/products...EPT=210&Page=2

I used a 4-prong on my sporran. These punch a hole without removing the material. Then get some common embroidery thread for 5-30 cents a hank, and a piece of beeswax to wax the thread. Get some lacing needles (look like a regular needle but with a dull tip that won't catch on the work).

When punching, always insert one prong in the last hole you made. This keeps the hole interval uniform. Just do a running stitch from one end to the other of your work, and then reverse and go back to the beginning. Total outlay for tools and materials about $10-$20 US (not counting glue and dye, if you want to color your leathers like I did here.



which started out this color



I've never done any leather work before, so anyone with some patience who can thread a needle can do this.

[BLAZN]

Turpin... care to share your leather source? That looks like a nice piece of leather.

[turpin]

That particular piece I bought locally, but I paid way too much per square foot. I have seen good prices on ebay for all kinds of leather, but I plan generally to order from this place.

http://www.foxvalleyleather.com/

They're in Salt Lake City and have a downloadable catalogue that includes all types of leathers. TR grade elk for 4.25/ sq. ft and #3 grade for 3.50 (whole hides, sides, and quarters). Buffalo, cow, deer, and more. Tools, knife-making, and black powder supplies.

I love soft-tanned elk.

[BLAZN]

Thanks Turpin... I checked them out. I can say that I now want to buy some moose leather from them.