Hello there. I notice there are popping straps available online from a few makers. However, I prefer to make my own, as it seems like a rather simple endeavor. I was wondering, is there a preferred type of leather? How is function affected by thickness, softness, pliability, texture, etc.? Arts and crafts stores sell pieces of leather, about the same dimensions as letter-sized paper, and these seem quite usable and inexpensive.
Do you just let the popping strap rest on your thigh, or do you tie it down?
Also, how much attention do you give to the appearance of the strap? Do you try to match the leather color to your bellows, bag or or bag cover? Do you do any embroidery or embossing along the edges, or anything like that?
Do you have any good examples you can show here?
The popping strap thread
- RenaissanceGuy
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- An Draighean
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Re: The popping strap thread
It needs to be thin and pliable enough to lay on/mold to your thigh, and soft enough to easily seal the end of the chanter. I have two homemade ones; one was a scrap piece of green suede that I found in my da's workbench and my wife hemmed it for me. The other is just a car-wash chamois that I fold once or twice.RenaissanceGuy wrote:How is function affected by thickness, softness, pliability, texture, etc.?
Just rests on my thigh.RenaissanceGuy wrote:Do you just let the popping strap rest on your thigh, or do you tie it down?
None.RenaissanceGuy wrote:Also, how much attention do you give to the appearance of the strap?
No to both.RenaissanceGuy wrote:Do you try to match the leather color to your bellows, bag or or bag cover? Do you do any embroidery or embossing along the edges, or anything like that?
My chamois one is as seen in my avatar photograph.RenaissanceGuy wrote:Do you have any good examples you can show here?
Deartháir don phaidir an port.
- dyersituations
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Re: The popping strap thread
The popping strap is pretty simple. Mine is just a piece of soft leather with one side being smooth, so it easily covers the bottom of the chanter. The piece of leather I use covers the length of my thigh, so that it also helps to prevent the drones from sliding as much. I don't have it at hand, but it's probably 18 x 12". You could probably find leather cheap that would work at a leather shop as scrap, if there's one near you.
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Re: The popping strap thread
I know many people who use a piece of chamois. But I don’t get it: the stuff easily creases and generates folds. How does that work?
Tommykleen
Well, don't forget to make music.
Well, don't forget to make music.
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Re: The popping strap thread
Most pieces of chamois (that you would use to dry a car) are fairly large; fold it in half once or twice and it becomes much more thick and less likely to crease or fold. Having said that, I have gone back to using my sueded leather most of the time, instead of the chamois.tommykleen wrote:I know many people who use a piece of chamois. But I don’t get it: the stuff easily creases and generates folds. How does that work?
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Re: The popping strap thread
Tom Jones has the answer.
Re: The popping strap thread
Why?
WHY?
WHY???
WHY?
WHY???
- ausdag
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Re: The popping strap thread
My popping strap (a piece of pig suede) blew away in the wind during an outdoor performance where the stage was by the river. That was about 25 years ago. I've never used a popping strap since. Unless you wear corduroy or woolen fabric trousers, your should manage a seal without a strap.
David (ausdag) Goldsworthy
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Re: The popping strap thread
So I got this 8.5x11" piece of craft suede in reddish brown, from Michael's.
It works well at sealing the chanter end, and it actually looks quite nice with my dark green bag cover.
It works well at sealing the chanter end, and it actually looks quite nice with my dark green bag cover.