Small pouch tutorial

[Ozhaggishead]

A few people asked me for a pattern for my pouch or sporran that I made.I was going to make a new one and try to trade or sell.So I thought that I would take a few pics of how I made mine and make up a little tutorial for you guys.

Okay so here we go!You will need some soft leather for the front and back I am using suede for this one.But something much stronger for the front reinforcement and front flap and back reinforcement.Here I am going to use a nice bit of 3mm veg tan leather.I made a small sketch with the measurements you will need.

So we are just cutting five pieces of leather the first bit is the front reinforcement then the flap and back reinforcement.Then the front ant back made from which are the same size.There is one more piece which is the gusset which connects the front and back.The gusset is just a strip 6.5cm wide and 56cm long,always make the gusset longer that you think you will need.Also here is a photo of the tools i am about to use.

Don't worry if you dont have the tools here but you will need at least need a awl and thonging chisel and a revolving punch.The rest can be left out or you will probably we have something in your house you can use instead of the proper leather craft tool.Looking at the sketch I made you need to draw pattern a on card or paper pattern then cut it out.

After about one beer you should have something that looks like this.When it all looks like it will fit together and you are happy transfer the pattern to the leather.First the front and back I using suede.

Then the front reinforcement and back reinforcement and front flap.Draw out the outline near edge of the leather as much as you can.As what to save as much leather as we can for future projects.Then you careful cut out the shapes with a very sharp knife.

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Having all shapes cut out, you go round the edges with your edge beveller.You don't have to do this but it gives you a nice finish.

Then,it's time to make the stitching holes and the holes for the leather thong and slits for the belt.
Using the dividers, mark a line about 6mm from the edge on the front and back.Then go around with the thonging chisel.

This is how the front and back should look when you are done going round with the thonging chisel and you have punched the holes and cut the belt slits.

Make sure that you make slits for the belt big enough for your belt.

Then, make the the holes with the thonging chisel bigger with a awl.

So far, so good, now you need to burnish the edges.This is normally done with a bone file. I don't have one so I used a old whisky class :roll eyes:
Make the edge wet and rub away.The heat from the friction will bind the fibres and make a shining edge.

I got some help making some of the holes in the soft leather for the front and back.

Now, it's time to get down to some sewing.Use two needles for what's called a pony stitch.
You can see I have added the button I used a Turk's head knot but you could whittle something out of wood or bone.

Okay so the sewing is nearly finished,see how the gusset was made longer than needed.

Just need to make the holes for the drawstring.I used brass eyelets for extra strength but you could leave them out all together.

So after all that hard work your finished pouch should look something like this.

Here's mine open,with a few bits and bobs of kit I carry around sometimes.Thanks for looking guys a fun little project for a quiet weekend.

 

[Kerne]

Thank you.

Fantastic tutorial. I've just made my first leather pouches and, after seeing this, realise how many mistakes I've made.

 

[Hoodoo]

Beautiful work and a great tutorial!

 

[Toddy]

Excellent
Thanks for posting this; much appreciated.

atb,
Toddy

 

[fred gordon]

Fantastic Tutorial and thanks for sharing it. As a kilt wearer I was looking for just this sort of sporran. many thanks.:You_Rock_

 

[singteck]

That's a great tutorial indeed. Thank you

singteck

 

[pwb]

Great stuff HH :You_Rock_

I agree with Fred, It'll look fine worn with a kilt and make an excellent possibles pouch as well. Definitely have to have a go at making one .

Pete.

 

[WoodWildling]

Fantastic!! I'm definately going to have a go now!

Wild

 

[wildrover]

Excellant tutorial.

I've been looking for an informal sporran and had been thinking of buying one.
Not any more.
Just need to get Santa to bring me some leather tools and stuff and I'll be away.

Thanks

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Thanks for some cool feedback guys.This is a great wee website I have learned a lot from being here and I just wanted to try and put something back inHope to see some photos of Freds,WoodWildling and Puub handy work in the coming weeks.

Was in the garden today playing with the camera,so will now bore you all with more pouch pic's

 

[brancho]

Thats a lovely piece of work and a great tutorial

 

[Black Sheep]

Hi,

Great tutorial thanks for posting.

I especially like the fastening/closure method.

cheers

Richard

 

[Steve13]

I now know what I am doing over the Christmas break

 

[Kerne]

Sorry if this is a dumb question - what knot did you use for the button?

 

[Andyre]

Sorry if this is a dumb question - what knot did you use for the button?

It is a Turks head knot, it does actually say it in the picture, saying that i only saw it on the second time i looked

 

[Cobweb]

Nice pouch!
I'm a bit crap with Leather, I'll try to make something similar out of material instead (not very authentic I know)

This should go in the Articles section on the main page

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Nice pouch!
I'm a bit crap with Leather, I'll try to make something similar out of material instead (not very authentic I know)

This should go in the Articles section on the main page

That never occurred to me to use other materials than leather,but perhaps you could make the pouch using something like canvas and kydex.It looks like a few guys here are going to have a go at making one,it will be nice to see there changes and embellishment's to the design.


I would be cool to see my tutorial in the articles section Michelle,but that's not up to me but the natives

 

[Seoras]

Thanks for the tutorial HH.

Decided to make myself a sporran for more informal occasions (this years Christmas party for one). Also I like the idea it can be used as a possibles pouch which in effect they really are.

[/IMG]

Sorry I cannot seem to remember how to downsize the image.

The tassles are made from suede cord and shaped into a Monkeys Fis Knot.

If they make too much noise when it is being used as a possibles pouch they can be pulled up towards the leather to remain quiet. But for a bit of Strip the Willow they will need to be lowered.

The inside.

Closed up

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Open

[/IMG]

Thanks again for the idea. I was wondering what my next project would be.

George

 

[Ozhaggishead]

Nice one Seoras!Like how you have front mate,I may plagiarise your design it for my next one