suggestions for making a sporran on a budget?

[Hothir Ethelnor]

That's hilarious!

[Peter C.]

I hope I'm not too late with this.

I needed a day sporran. I had lots of offcuts of leather that I had bought at an auction a few years ago but I have no leather working tools.
I made this sporran using contact cement. The only stitching is the piece on the back that holds the straps, and the flap.
I made the holes for the stitches with a tiny drill in my Dremel (much easier than trying to push a spike through the 3/16" leather I used for the back of the sporran)
The closure is done with two washers and two earth magnets glued on with contact cement.
I covered it with garment thickness leather to make it all one colour. The same garment thickness leather was used for the sides. I covered it before assembly as the thin leather was an important part of the assembly.

I did not document the process but if you decide to use this method I will be happy to email you via xmarks with the method and helpful hints that I discovered as I went along.

It's not the best of sporrans but is quite presentable. My next one will be better.

<a href="http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/?action=view&current=SANY0148.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/SANY0148.jpg" border="0" alt="DIY sporran"></a>

<a href="http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/?action=view&current=SANY0149.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/SANY0149.jpg" border="0" alt="DIY sporran"></a>

<a href="http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/?action=view&current=SANY0151.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/SANY0151.jpg" border="0" alt="DIY sporran"></a>

[Peter C.]

sorry I have done something wrong posting the pictures.

Peter

[Peter C.]

Another attempt at the pictures.

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/SANY0148.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/SANY0149.jpg

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/SANY0151.jpg

Peter

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Use the IMG code not the html.

I did some circumnavigating and found your pics, they look nice.

I prefer the holding power of stitching as I don't have to worry about something coming unglued, but if it works, by all means...

[Peter C.]

img code, thank you for that.

The edges of the leather are all double stuck, (I don't know a term for it) but the leather for the side is stuck to the front then the leather covering the front overlaps the leather at the side and is stuck to it as well. the contact cement soaks into the leather and once it is completely dry the leather will rip before it comes apart. However many people would say that stitched would look better too.

Good luck

Peter

[vorpallemur]

img code, thank you for that.

The edges of the leather are all double stuck, (I don't know a term for it) but the leather for the side is stuck to the front then the leather covering the front overlaps the leather at the side and is stuck to it as well. the contact cement soaks into the leather and once it is completely dry the leather will rip before it comes apart. However many people would say that stitched would look better too.

Good luck

Peter

There are quite a number of leather goods that are held to gether by glue, with stitching primarily as cosmetics. [There are also lots of sewn leather goods, where there's glue used for cosmetic reasons (mostly to get seams to lie flat.)]

Most household sewing machines are quite capable of sewing leather, given suitable needles.

[Tobus]

Most household sewing machines are quite capable of sewing leather, given suitable needles.

I would clarify that statement with a few comments...

Some household sewing machines can sew leather, if it's thin leather and they're using the right needle. However, even the best of household machines are going to experience a lot of wear and fatigue on the parts if you do this with any regularity. They internals simply aren't made for the additional stress and forces required to sew through leather. Heck, a lot of the common household machines will conk out if you try to sew through even thick canvas or other cloth.

For heavier leather (I'd say anything above 3-4 oz leather), I'd not try it with a machine that isn't made for leather. Do it by hand and save the repair or replacement bill.

Even a lot of the new leather sewing machines don't last very long when used regularly on leather goods. I've found that the best machines to use on leather are the old industrial machines. We use an old Juki at the house, and all the saddle shops I know of use similar machines from the '50s and '60s, back when they still made serious equipment.

On gluing versus stitching, I agree that contact cement will bond with leather (except oil-tanned leathers) so strongly that the leather will tear before the glue gives. It's great stuff. You can also use rubber cement to temporarily hold pieces together while you stitch them. But if you need to pull them apart, it gives easily enough.

Super glue (or any cyanoacrylate cement) works just as well as contact cement for providing a strong bond. And it's easier to work with in most cases for small items like sporrans.

[Rawlinson]

I just got a giant can of DAP with a few friends, so I guess I just need to scavenge some leather. I'm sure I can find enough somewhere (some place that reupholsters furniture, leftover scraps from people making armor at practice, etc.).

I don't think a sewing machine is an option; any needlework around here is done by hand.

I'll take pictures (assuming I can borrow a camera) once I get the stuff together and keep everyone updated on sporran progress.

[Leprechaun 91]

Good Luck!