DIY retro sporran project

[OC Richard]

The cords should be darker. They would look really good if they were the same colour as the mock up.

I'm attracted to two sporrans in particular, here.

Left: a sporran in the 1938 Rowans catalogue.
Right: Peter MacDonald's Ocelot & buff leather re-bag of a vintage cantle.



From what I see, the small round silver & seal sporrans which by the 1930s were becoming the most popular Evening Dress sporran, started out as Day sporrans. The Day-ness showed in the leather tassels as we see in the Rowans example. They used buff leather, which I really like the look of.

You should try having the cords laid out/tied the way they are in the leopard sporran photo. They might sit better. Is there a way to make the knot smaller?

Yes my knots are too big and wonky. I'll go without knots, each pair of cords going down to the bell in a "V" as can be seen in the Rowans sporran above. Peter's sporran has quite long cords and knots are called for, while mine will have four short pairs of cords.

It's a very nice work in progress. I can't wait to see it when it's done.

Thanks! I should be receiving the proper bells later this week and I'll post an update.

[EagleJCS]

Yes my knots are too big and wonky. I'll go without knots, each pair of cords going down to the bell in a "V" as can be seen in the Rowans sporran above. Peter's sporran has quite long cords and knots are called for, while mine will have four short pairs of cords.

Rather than tying both sides of the cord into a knot, make one side (it appears to be the right side in the McDonald example, as we're looking at it) a tad longer and tie that into a knot around the other side. That will reduce the size of the knot. Slip your tassle/cone over the ends, THEN tie both cords together. The larger knot then provides a better stopper.

[Patty Logan]

Sorry if I sound ignorant... I never owned any "haired" sporrans or seen any in person but just in case I want to buy one in the future. will the hairs shed if not maintained? will there be any maintenance needed otherwise?

[OC Richard]

Sorry if I sound ignorant... I never owned any "haired" sporrans or seen any in person but just in case I want to buy one in the future. will the hairs shed if not maintained? will there be any maintenance needed otherwise?

I've owned that goat sporran for around 10 years now and it doesn't shed.

Horsehair is a different matter! As any violinist can tell you.

They're called "bow bugs" or "bow mites", dreaded by string players.

[Patty Logan]

Horsehair is a different matter! As any violinist can tell you.

They're called "bow bugs" or "bow mites", dreaded by string players.

I know that all too well, my bother is a Professional Cello player with the Montreal Orchestra.