Sporrans

Made by Alexander Cave

Sporrans

"I have been an amateur-hobby bookbinder for several years, and Hewits have been my preferred source for materials from the start. The printed grain leathers respond to being rolled in different directions, so as to enhance the 'natural creasing' effect of the finish, while still accepting tooling in a pleasing way.

As a kilt-wearer for many decades, I have acquired a small collection of vintage sporrans which date from about 1880, and the sporran-makers' craft seems to have been at its peak around the 1930s. I have often looked at commercially-made sporrans with a bookbinder's eye, and thought improvements could be made if certain techniques borrowed from bookbinding were applied - and this has been my inspiration.

Somewhere between 15 and 20 hours' work goes into making one of my sporrans, as they are all cut, stitched and assembled entirely by hand - mostly using bindery tools and equipment. The characteristics of bookbinding leathers makes them ideal for a sporrans, and their lack of bulk is overcome with the use of a mull interlining and lining leather - I like to use suede or the untreated calf necks I get from Hewits, as their raw state quickly acquires an attractive patina.

Style of a sporran is governed by form following function, and those I have made with a studded leather cantle are my own design and unique in their way."