Leather classes with a Scottish theme...?

**budd4766** · 13th July 10, 05:43 AM

Greetings,

It's been a while since I've been on the forum...we've moved twice last year, and have finally settled, (for the moment), in Memphis, TN. My wife is the manager of the local Tandy Leather Factory store there.

Every month, she struggles to come up with classes to offer that would interest people in the area about leather and leathercrafting. Yesterday, she had a gentleman in the store who was part of the Scottish American Veterans group in Memphis, asking about classes for his group.

Of course, being the kilt-lovin' Scottish descendant of the family, I get asked "What would we teach?", and "Will you teach it?"

My first thought was the simple "Rob Roy" sporran pattern that's floated around here for some time. I think that would be fairly simple to do, and could be handled over two weekend classes or so. Or maybe a big, wide belt for the modern kilt wearers in the area.

But, I need ideas, and I'd like your thoughts.

If you could take a leather class that would relate to kilts, or all things Scottish, what would you like to learn to do? Remember, this is a 2 to 4 hour class given on Saturdays, and though it could be stretched over a couple weeks, it needs to be a fairly simple class.

Oh, and I'll be teaching this class, if anybody's interested. I'll post dates when things firm up, but it'll be from 10 to 12 on Saturday at the Tandy store on Madison St. in Memphis. Cost would be $10 plus materials.

Thanks!
Donnie
budd4766

**artificer** · 13th July 10, 06:51 AM

Given your time restriction, a Rob Roy is probably the best bet. Even the basic 'regimental-type' day sporran is going to take more work than a beginning leather worker will be able to accomplish in 4 hours.

I have two suggestions for you;

1) look for (or develop) a 'gathered' type Rob Roy pattern which utilizes a circular ONE-piece main bag, NOT the more contemporary 'freelander' style Rob Roy (which requires a LOT more sewing).

2) make sure to offer the pattern with the option of either the sporran strap back or a waist belt mount. This will allow you to advertise the project as SCA/Renfaire/pirate as well as Highland. This will probably double or triple the number of people interested in the class.

Make sure to update us on the class (and post pix)

ith:

**budd4766** · 13th July 10, 07:56 AM

Thanks! Good things to keep in mind. The amount of sewing is the reason it would take more than one class.

I don't have access to a machine for sewing leather, so I have to do everything by hand...and that would be what I'd teach. I could teach them to hand sew the pieces together, or give the option of doing edge braiding, (which I personally would prefer). I like the one-piece idea, though...just to keep it simple.

**Ryan Ross** · 13th July 10, 08:13 AM

I think the class sounds like a fantastic idea, and furthermore, I heartily support the one-piece bag idea. Lately, I've been wearing a Rob Roy style sporran with a one-piece bag to various games and such, and am a big fan of both the look and function of them. Here's a picture of mine that might give you some fresh ideas:

It's done in upholstery leather, believe it or not, but has an elk lining. A lining would defeat the purpose of selecting the one-piece bag to limit sewing, but I thought I'd mention why a bag of relatively thin leather had so much body.

Good luck and keep us posted!

**budd4766** · 13th July 10, 08:24 AM

I like it!

Anybody got a pattern for the one-piece design?

**Ryan Ross** · 13th July 10, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by budd4766

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!

**jForrester** · 13th July 10, 08:41 AM

Excellent! My own day sporran was made by the manager of a Tandy store here, back in the early 80s. Tooled and colored thistles and leaves with the Forrester hunting horn on the flap, and skunk fur down the front. More than a beginner project, but utilizing much of the Tandy tools and materials. You could show that as a later project utilizing the leather stamps and dyes. Email me directly for a photo.

**budd4766** · 13th July 10, 09:17 AM

Excellent ideas, all.

My wife teaches tooling...I can do it, but she's better at that than I am. If they want a tooled sporran, they can take that class and do whatever they want on a later version.

I'm thinking this class will make one out of some upholstery leather, or some of the nice lamb skin she has in the store...depending on how much the students want to spend on this sporran. That way, there's no tooling, staining, or finishing required to have a nice casual sporran made.

Of course you know, I'll have to make one myself beforehand, so I'll try both the Rob Roy and the simpler round one and see which one, or both, that I think they can grasp in one or two classes.

**artificer** · 13th July 10, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by budd4766

I'm thinking this class will make one out of some upholstery leather, or some of the nice lamb skin she has in the store...depending on how much the students want to spend on this sporran. That way, there's no tooling, staining, or finishing required to have a nice casual sporran made.

With the flap and the back 'structural' piece (which can be one or two pieces depending on design) you're going to either want to go with a veg-tan (which would need dyeing to match) or they will need to be covered in your bag material.

Lambskin or doe-kidskin would be wonderful for the bag, but are too insubstantial to make a good flap or back panel (without MULTIPLE layers).

**tinksdad** · 13th July 10, 04:14 PM

I didn't even know there was a Tandy in Memphis. That's the only thing that's been holding me back from trying my hand at a sporran... somebody to show me how to get started. I would say you probably have your first sign-up for the class when it happens.

from just across the border.... the Mississippi border.