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?
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.
Just rests on my thigh.
None.
No to both.
My chamois one is as seen in my avatar photograph.
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.
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.
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.