Leather classes with a Scottish theme...?

[Ryan Ross]

I like it!

Anybody got a pattern for the one-piece design?

The pattern is no problem; a thinner, more supple leather for the bag, and pieces of a thicker, stiffer leather for the flap and belt loop- Just cut a huge circle of leather for the pouch- I think mine may have started with a 16 inch diameter.

Then decide on a flap shape that you like and add a 6 or so inch tongue going out at a right angle from the top of your flap shape that's the same width as the belt loop you'll make in the next step(while making the pattern, that is- it's one piece with the flap), which is then stitched to the flesh side of your circle, such that the begining of the flap part is flush with the outside perimeter of your bag circle.

A long 2 1/2 inch wide rectangle of leather is attached behind the flap for a belt loop, or an oval piece is stitched to the back of the tongue section (through bag and tongue alike) to accept a sporran strap.

Next, figure out the spacing of your drawstring holes around the perimeter or your bag circle and braid some cord to sinch up the bag.

Finally, attach some kind of toggle, either to the top of the flap or hanging down below it, and punch a set of three or four holes on the opposite side of the circle from the flap, through which you can thread the loop of cord used to close the sporran with the toggle.

A simple pattern of this type should only take 15-20 minutes to work up, I imagine.

With only three pieces of leather necessary for either design, plus a toggle and some braid, I should think that even beginners may have little problem finishing the project, even in just two hours. And as a plus for Tandy, there is quite a bit of leather necessary, in spite of the small ammount of sewing. Also, as you can see from my bag above, the same basic pattern can be dressed up for a future project or a more skilled leather worker, thereby getting the idea of further projects into the mind of your customers!