How to Make a Goat Hair Sporran

Make a pattern

• 1

  Use one-inch graph paper to make a pattern for a sporran with a fold-over top. Draw a rectangle 8 by 10 inches long and 8 inches wide. Label the vertical grid lines A though I beginning at the left side. Label the horizontal grid lines 1 through 11, from the bottom up.

• 2

  Draw a modified hourglass-shaped back piece. Mark a dotted horizontal line across the paper at row 5. Inside the rectangle, draw a pouch with a wide rounded bottom that measures 6 inches wide at row 2, 7 inches wide at row 5 and narrows to 6 inches at row 7 1/2. At row 9 3/4, the top flap widens to 6 1/2 inches. The top center point ends at grid point 10 1/2 E. Gently curve the top corners and indent the upper edge slightly as it curves to the center top.

• 3

  Place the back pattern on a piece of graph paper to make the front pattern. Match up center line E, and bottom line 1. Trace around the pattern from the bottom to line 8. Draw a horizontal line at 8. Remove the top pattern. Mark dots at 7 1/2 B and 6 3/4 E to shape the top edge. Connect these points with a curved line. Fold the paper in half along line E and cut out the full pattern. Mark point 6E for the clasp location.

Building a sporran

• 4

  Cut the sporran pieces out of leather according to your pattern. Cut out another front piece from goat hair. Cut a back piece from goat hair if you want the both the back and front of the bag covered in goat hair. Cut the top flap portion off the goat-hair back.

• 5

  Use leather glue to glue the goat hide to the leather pieces. Work carefully to keep glue from getting on the hair. Place a flat board with weights or heavy books on the glued pieces until the glue dries.

• 6

  Fold the leather front-piece wrong sides together and secure with tape. Mark lacing-hole positions 1/2 inch from the edge. Space the holes evenly to suit your lacing material and personal taste. Stop near the bottom center and unfold to space and mark the final two of holes.

• 7

  Use a leather punch to make holes, leaving at least a 3/8 inch margin along the outer edge. Unfold the front piece and place it against the back piece wrong sides together. Tape or clamp them together. Mark the location of the holes around the back piece. Punch holes in the back piece.

• 8

  Lace the front and back together with a simple straight lacing coming up through one hole and down through the next. The stitching will be hidden by the goat hair. Use a toothpick to free goat hair clumps caught in the lacing.

• 9

  Line the inside of the pocket with a lining made from suede or fabric. Use the sporran pattern to cut the lining pieces. Sew the lining, front sides together, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Double stitch the seam for added strength. Sew, use lacing holes and ties, or glue the lining in place along the top edge, depending on personal preference.

• 10

  Attach a clasp or make a loop and button closure by punching holes and adding lacing. Braid leather thongs into waist straps and attach to the back sides of the bag.