Why hello there! I am SO excited that you are joining me for the Matilda Saddle Bag Sewalong!

The next 4 days will be filled with skill building, inspiration, fun and of course prizes along the sewalong journey where you will be making your very own Matilda Saddle Bag!

Matilda Saddle Bag Sewalong

First things first, if you haven’t already please read my “get ready” blog post to make sure you have all that you need before we begin.

Next, please join my Facebook Group where we have lots of bag chat, support and inspiration- Little Moo Designs Sewcialists. It’s a great place to ask questions and see what everyone else is making along the way.

Prizes:

I promised you prizes and far out they are EPIC!! Here is the rundown.

To be in the running to win one of two $150 prize packs (which includes a $50 gift voucher from each of – Little Moo Designs, Fabric By Missy Rose and Who Says Sew) you need to:

  1. Share a picture on social media (Instagram/Facebook your main feed) of your completed Matilda Saddle Bag
  2. In your post you must tag – Little Moo Designs & Fabric By Missy Rose
  3. You must use the #matildasaddlebagsewalong
  4. Your post must be public (so that we can see your entry)
  5. Entries close 8.00PM QLD Time, 1st February 2021
  6. 2 winners will be selected using a random number generator and contacted via their social media (direct message), the winner has 24 hours to respond to the message to claim their prize or it will be redrawn
  7. The judges decision is final and the 2 x winners are selected randomly and entries are valid only on the above criteria being met
  8. For each picture you share, you will receive 1 entry into the draw

We can’t wait to see your pictures on social media!! Good luck to everyone who enters. 

For this sewalong I will be using the gorgeous Matilda Saddle Bag panels from Fabric By Missy Rose. I am so excited that many of you will be using them too. The fabric is such an amazing quality and I know your bags are going to turn out looking so fancy!

Matilda Saddle Bag fabric panel

If this is the first time that you have ever used a PDF sewing pattern here is a few tips to help you with it:

  • Be sure that the 1″ test square has printed correctly, if it hasn’t adjust your printer settings and try again. Some printers change the default settings and you need to turn them off. You can also take the pattern to your local print shop and ask them to print it for you.
  • PDF patterns are designed for you to print the pattern pieces and if you don’t want to print the instructions, you can view them on your phone, tablet or laptop to save on printing.
  • Once your pattern pieces have printed correctly, cut them out and join at the join marks. You will notice that they are “on the fold”, if you would like full scale pattern pieces simply print another lot and add them together.
  • You may like to trace your pattern pieces onto template plastic to help with fussy cutting and keep your pattern pieces lasting longer than paper.
  • If you would like further information on interfacing, please check out the live Q&A in my Facebook group.
  • Take a look below how I cut my FBMR Matilda panel out. Of course you can mix this up to suit however you like.

  • CUTTING TIPS: I pay particular attention to fussy cutting the flap as this is the focal point of this bag. Also make sure the flap lining panel is the right way up for when the flap is opened. For optimal placement, make sure the top of your focal image is approximately 3″ from the straight edge of the flap, as pictured. 
  • The lining of the flap needs to be cut upside down so that when the flap is opened, the fabric is the right way up.

Matilda Saddle Bag Flap Placement

Now it’s time to cut your bag out and fuse the interfacing to your fabric. There is a live video in my Facebook group all about interfacing if you would like further information on this topic.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to decide how you are going to make your straps for your bag. There are so many choices in this pattern to personalise your bag! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Matilda Saddle Bag

 

Stop here and read through the entire pattern before we move onto Day 2 of the sewalong!

We would love to see pictures of your progress during the sewalong, share your pics on instagram and Facebook and use the #matildasaddlebag and #matildasaddlebagsewalong 

See you tomorrow for Day 2.

Kylie.