My first DIY sporran

**NeightRG** · 7th August 11, 09:46 PM

This afternoon after work, I whipped up my first attempt at a sporran - made from a thrift store leather jacket I hadn't worn in a couple of years, a shoe string, a pendant from a broken necklace, and the leftover grey thread from the kilt in my profile picture.

Pretty happy with it, considering that it's not only my first, but I didn't have to buy a thing specifically for it.

Plenty of leather left over, and I've got the day off tomorrow. Might try a different style.

**Nighthawk** · 7th August 11, 10:46 PM

Looks good! The one thought that I have is that the cotton thread normally used in cloth garments is not so great for leather. The tanning oils tend to rot them, which is why department store belts that are stitched tend to fail and fall apart 8 months after you buy them. With this being garment grade leather, though, it may not be an issue. It's just something for you to keep an eye out for. Waxed nylon thread is what is typically used in leather work.

But I do have to say that it really looks nice- especially for a first attempt! I look forward to seeing your next!

**NeightRG** · 7th August 11, 11:30 PM

Thanks for the heads up regarding thread - I'm not too worried for my first few sporrans while I figure out exactly how they go together, but once I'm comfy with my patterns and working with the leather instead of woven fabric, I'll definitely switch to the waxed nylon.

There are a few things I know I want to adjust on my next Rob Roy - bigger, more rounded front reinforcing panel, and thicker leather for that and the belt loop/flap piece. Some decorative edgework on the top flap. Maybe eyelets, maybe not.

**Mipi** · 7th August 11, 11:40 PM

It looks like very usable sporran to me. Specially for first try. I try to find some time to start one myself. Eyelets would definitely add to longer lasting sporran.

Keep working.

**Nighthawk** · 8th August 11, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by NeightRG

Thanks for the heads up regarding thread - I'm not too worried for my first few sporrans while I figure out exactly how they go together, but once I'm comfy with my patterns and working with the leather instead of woven fabric, I'll definitely switch to the waxed nylon.

There are a few things I know I want to adjust on my next Rob Roy - bigger, more rounded front reinforcing panel, and thicker leather for that and the belt loop/flap piece. Some decorative edgework on the top flap. Maybe eyelets, maybe not.

One thing that I do when I make a Rob Roy style is to put vegetable tanned leather on the inside as a reinforcer where the pull chord goes. I know I'm not explaining that very well, so I'll take some pictures and show you what I mean. Also, the sporrans from the period weren't typically gusseted- they were essentially 18 inch circles with holes punched around the edge! I recently made one like that for myself, and while it took up a lot of hide, it was much easier to make. Maybe you could think about trying that style next! I mention it only because I personally am always experimenting with new and different ways (for me!!) to do things.

**NeightRG** · 8th August 11, 09:21 AM

I wanted to use heavier leather like veg tanned for the reinforcement, but I was just going with what I had on hand. I glued and sewed two thicknesses of the lightweight jacket leather together for the reinforcement and the back piece, but it's still not nearly as rigid as it seems it should be.

The 18 inch circle idea is interesting. Would you add a flap to it?
I don't have a big enough piece of leather to try that right now, but it could look really good with a great kilt. Must be really roomy, too.

**English Bloke** · 8th August 11, 09:44 AM

That looks OK. I thought of having a bash with an old jacket but didn't due to the thickness issue. After seeing your go, I might give it another bash if I can locate a suitable jacket for chopping up. Also since I mentioned it in passing to her, my wife looks at me suspiciously everytime I go near anything made of leather. She's not keen... She's worried I'll wreck the dining table or worse, her sewing machine.

**NeightRG** · 8th August 11, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

She's worried I'll wreck the dining table or worse, her sewing machine.

That's one thing I did appreciate about the thin garment leather - didn't even put a new needle in the machine and had no trouble getting through the leather. The tricky part was getting the feed dogs to grip it well. It was fine wherever I was sewing suede side out, but the the few places I had to sew right side out were tricky.

**Nighthawk** · 8th August 11, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by NeightRG

I wanted to use heavier leather like veg tanned for the reinforcement, but I was just going with what I had on hand. I glued and sewed two thicknesses of the lightweight jacket leather together for the reinforcement and the back piece, but it's still not nearly as rigid as it seems it should be.

The 18 inch circle idea is interesting. Would you add a flap to it?
I don't have a big enough piece of leather to try that right now, but it could look really good with a great kilt. Must be really roomy, too.

Yes, deffinately put a flap on the bag! Again, I use veg tanned to stiffen the flap- or just use veg tanned...