Help with building a skunk fur sporran

[Tartan Hiker]

My suggestions would be these.

1. Don't use the tail on the flap. It would end up looking a bit more penile than you'd want at a wedding.
2. You'll probably have to work inside out then reverse it, as you stated. Be certain that neither the gusset nor the back are too rigid, since you definitely don't want to wet the pelt (wetting stiff leather is the only way to do the reversal)

[usndoc]

No, I was not going to use the tail for the flap... :-) That would not look appropriate at all. I might make a key chain out of it.

[Pour1Malt]

use this threid as a visual reference....

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=17878

Bae Cannie! ...many fur sporrans turn oot ooglie an luekin like roadkill...

ya dinnae want tae hae roadkill tied roon yur waist.... :rolleyes:

ai suggest buyin' a gorgeous enameled sporran instead....

[usndoc]

I wish that mine had a decent mask to work with. As for road kill.... would a good highlander have used roadkill? That is if they had cars killing the critters? Its would be a shame to let a good pelt go to waste. Plus the tire tread gives it more texture :-)

[auld argonian]

...once again, I'll refer you guys to that leather company that has a suprising range of pelts available:

leather unlimited

http://leatherunltd.com/leather/skins/skins.html

Skunk is further down on the page.

I can't vouch that the masks are in sporran-perfect shape but you can probably contact them and asks...they seem very customer oriented.

Best

AA

[way2fractious]

As for road kill.... would a good highlander have used roadkill? ... Its would be a shame to let a good pelt go to waste.

I have had two good experiences with FRESH!!! roadkill, a year apart. Two fine specimens of local gray fox, both skinned immediately, salted, and rolled. One I oil tanned using a mail order tanning kit; the other went to a local tannery and was dry (or garment) tanned.

If the kill is not fresh (hours, or a very cold overnight), decomposition destroys the hair follicles and the fur pulls out. Most tanneries will not take walk-in trade for this reason, or will make you sign a waiver regarding damage during the tanning process.

Highlanders wore whatever they could, ate whatever they could, and used sticks and really heavy stones to amuse themselves in athletics. I'd bet they used whatever (and however it was presented) to fabricate articles of high utilitarian value.

[cloves]

wow..that's a striking pattern on the kilt your wearing in the middle pic. Looks great with all your black gear. Who's the maker of that kilt, if you don't mind me asking?

[usndoc]

Here is a link to photos of the pelt I was given.

http://www.docwalkersphotography.com/gallery/1512778

Hopefully I can make something of this. I want to go by the leather shop soon to find the other pieces.

[way2fractious]

wow..that's a striking pattern on the kilt your wearing in the middle pic. Looks great with all your black gear. Who's the maker of that kilt, if you don't mind me asking?

Answered by PM.

[way2fractious]

No, I was not going to use the tail for the flap... :-) That would not look appropriate at all. I might make a key chain out of it.

The pelts of small furbearing mammals make wonderful sporrans. I've made several and will make many more from my collection of pelts (if I quit making kilts from my collection of fabrics and tartans.) Do not discount the tail. Both the mask AND the tail are in use here on my favorite homemade sporran. Because the tail is off-center, there is no risk of it being mistaken for something else very large and hairy, but it does have a nice "swing" to it that complements the swing of the pleats behind.





Referring to the tail ONLY - here is a my homemade badger sporran with the tail on the flap. In truth, I only put it there as a placeholder for the full mask - if or when I get it finished.



Both of these are very large, fully usable sporrans. They were constructed with a plain fabric front panel. The mouth of the sporran is reinforced with a circle of stiff leather belt. The main piece of fur is cut large and handstitched to the belt and somewhere on the gusset toward the back panel, and the stitching is not nearly as noticeable as you imagine. Stuff the sporran to fullness with newspaper beforehand. The edges of the fur have to be gently "pleated" around the curves. Extra pieces of fur are glued/stitched on each side of the flap to flank the mask or tail or whatever (or do the whole flap in fur.) I pass on adding feet or tassels.

These sporrans are obviously rustic, but have a certain classiness to them. Mr. Skunk nicely complements any black and white outfit.

Kids will love your fur sporran - but beware of women who try to pet your sporran while you're wearing it!