First two DIY sporrans

**kennethrmc** · 11th December 08, 12:25 AM

The Hamilton dry goods "sporran kit" caught my eye on e-bay and I impulsively bought it. Upon arrival, I decided the only usable components would be the two heavy pieces of leather for the flap & front pieces. I bought a very cheap leather jacket at a thrift store (the lining was ruined) and cut it up to get nice quality supple leather. I used the f & b pattern from the kit and instructions from Thompson's book. This was the result--my DIY sporran #1 in "Rob Roy" (pouch) style.

That was so much fun that I thought "I need something dressier for Christmas events and Burns dinner coming up." So I decided on a semi-dress. I plunked down a whole $3 for a rabbit pelt, then dyed and polished an unused piece of leather from the original kit. This time I retained the basic "Rob Roy" construction, using drawstrings for the top, but I got a magnetic snap for the flap. I added a wee bit of shiny metal and--gleh vah!

And here's how it looks with my clan tartan (MacIntosh hunting)

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/photopl...5500/1_081.JPG

I'm having much fun figuring how to spend just a few bucks and make my whole formal outfit

(though I cannot say that for the Kathy Lare kilt--but that was money very well spent).

Thank you fellow x-markers for perusing this thread.

**kennethrmc** · 11th December 08, 12:33 AM

For some reason the first picture didn't take. Here's the Rob Roy that I made first.http://www.xmarksthescot.com/photopl...5500/1_106.JPG

**Freelander Sporrano** · 11th December 08, 03:39 AM

I fixed the link for you . You've made a good start

**svc40bt** · 11th December 08, 07:11 AM

Nice looking sporrans. I am intrigued by the sporran kit. What came with it and did you dye the leather or was that the way it came (I mean for the flap and stiffeners, I know you replaced the actual bag leather)?

**kennethrmc** · 11th December 08, 10:15 AM

Freelander, Thanks for fixing the image ---and for high praise, especially considering the source!

SVC, the kit came with four pieces of leather (F&B and two stiff pieces) a cord and instructions. The tooled flap is really very nice. That came dyed brown but it was a lighter color than what you see in mine. I dyed it a darker color and polished it to match the leather used in the gussets. I also added the silver button.

The kit could be assembled "as is" to make a very rustic/ natural looking pouch sporran. My main concern was that anything spilled on it would leave marks, and I wanted finer looking tanned leathers. That being said, for $20 it would work. The dimensions of the pieces are all good (I photocopied all the parts so I have a good pattern for the future).

I provided my own tools--waxed thread, rotating punch, awl, x-acto knives, needles and pliers.