I’m pleased to present my newest pattern, the Appaloosa Bag! This pattern is available in both pdf and paper format.
This medium-sized bag features unique accordion dividers on the inside, which provides plenty of separate storage space for all of your essentials! The flap features a magnetic snap closure. The strap is adjustable as well, all-in-all giving you a chance to try out several fun features and techniques!
Finished size: 10-3/4” long x 7-1/2” high x 4” deep
My samples were made in Tula Pink fabrics; the blue and green floral print is from her out-or-print ‘Nightshade’ fabric line, and the main cover bag is from her upcoming line called ‘Chipper’.
Supplies
- 3/4 yard of Exterior Fabric
- 3/4 yard of Lining Fabric
- 1/2 yard of foam interfacing (By Annie’s Soft and Stable, Pellon Flex Foam, Bosal In-R-Form, or automotive headliner; if using Flex Foam, it is only 20” wide so please purchase double the amount)
- 2-1/2 yards of 20” wide Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing (or medium-weight fusible interfacing)
- 1/3 yard of Pellon Peltex #70 sew-in ulta-firm interfacing
- 1/2” magnetic snap (if feeling adventurous, you might consider using a thumb catch as closure for your bag flap instead)
- 1” metal rectangle
- 1” metal slider (hardware is available in my shop!)
- 7” regular zipper
I really love the size of this bag, and I think that there are a ton of options for mixing up and using several different fabric lines in the bag or adding in a bit of leather.
Besides the flap, everything else on the Appaloosa Bag is straight seams, including the side panel, which makes for a really pleasant sew! The accordion portion is made with stiff Peltex interfacing inserts, which will ensure that it will hold up and keep that nice crisp divider shape.
This time especially, I am so blown away by all of the creativity in the tester bags! Thank you so much to all of my testers, and for making these awesome bags!!
Tracy from I’ve Got A Notion made not one but two versions of the bag…overachiever! lol! She used a heavier upholstery fabric, and for the bag on the bottom (the Paris print), she added some neat vinyl piping. She also substituted a thumb catch for the magnetic snap. I love it with the thumb catch! So good on both of these, Tracy!
Nicole made her bag with Tula Pink ‘Moonshine’ fabrics, and a solid for the rest of the body of the bag. I think it’s brilliant to have this separation as the dividers in front stand out nicely! Gorgeous!
Fiona made this bag in a vintage-inspired floral, and this is sophisticated as well being loads of fun to look at! This bag was a gift for her sister-in-law, and it always makes me smile when these bags find new homes as gifts!
Liz of Moments… made her bag in faux leather, as I have come to expect! She did a bit of machine embroidery on the bag flap before assembly, and it took the form of beautiful feathers.
I wanted to show the inside of Kat’s bag because it looked so lovely with the print and how lovely her accordion turned out! Love it Kat!
Joy made her bag in Tula Pink ‘Eden’ fabrics, and I love the combination of several fabrics from the line. Great job and great photos, I think all of the features of the bag are well represented here! Great work Joy!
Donna made her bag by quilting the flap and adding a bit of detailing to it. I’m really enjoying seeing different fabric combinations, including the separation of the flap fabric from the rest of the bag!
Sue used a great fabric that makes this bag look very modern indeed. Wonderful finish, great photo, thanks so much Sue, I love it!
Lisa of Six Munchkin Stitching made her bag in Lizzy House fabrics, and I think it’s great using a large-scale print such as this for the flap. Great job, Lisa!!
Anni made not one but two identical bags, and donated one to charity! How lovely and completely awesome!! I think these are both beautiful and really sleek (and dare I saw look storebought?)! Fantastic work Anni!
Alisha of Crafty Brooklyn Army Wife used a pretty plaid fabric to construct her bag, and she’s written her thoughts in a post on her blog, which you can read right here (including more photos)! Thanks Alisha!
Maria of Beautiful Blooms made the Appaloosa Bag with an Amy Butler flap and the rest of the bag a black solid. She said it’s her favorite bag so far and for her personal use (I think her kids took her last few pattern tests…) so yay!!!
Norma of Norma’s Bag Boutique made her bag with Tim Holtz ‘Eclectic Elements’ fabrics. I really love these fabrics as they combine text prints with a larger scale design, and I think she’s made a beautiful choice for her bag. Really special, great work Norma!
Sandie of Crazy ’bout Quilts made her bag with a blue paisley and coordinating solid corduroy fabric. Really beautiful and just the perfect pop of print and color!
Nicki made a black and white polka dot bag with red accent stitching. And wow, this model looks familiar, I have the very same one! Beautiful work and very universal with this print!
Alyson’s bag is a modern floral and the accordion really stands out because of the large and bright print used. Really cute and beautiful work Alyson!
Alyssa’s feather bag was perfectly complimented by the nylon striped strap and look at those nice crisp corners! Great job Alyssa!
Susan of SB Stitching made her bag in a very timely fabric of pumpkins and black cats! Really so cute!! Beautiful job Susan!
Pam of Hip to Be A Square Podcast made her bag in bright teal and lime fabrics. Perfect finish, and thanks for the multiple lovely views of your bag Pam!
Vickie made her bag in a floral print, with a solid fabric for her lining. She also added a few inches to her strap out of personal preference. Great job on this, Vickie!
Bernie made her bag in Tula Pink ‘Elizabeth’ fabrics, with a large-scale print for the flap and one of the smaller focal prints for the front of the bag. Love it love it love it Bernie!!!
Thank you again for checking out my new pattern! You can find the Appaloosa Bag in my shop.
I think that this is my favorite of all your bags (so far). I’m not sure I’d use all the accordion pockets, though. I’d probably make it as is first, then experiment by omitting one or all of the accordion pockets. A nice, classic bag, a canvas for creativity. Thank you.
This is a beautiful bag, Sara. I love how you show the bags done by your testers in many different fabrics and variations. It shows the versatility of the pattern.
Yet another bag to add to my never ending ‘someday I’ll make it’ list! I love all the variations and classic handbag shape with nice divider pockets!
I love seeing the creativity of your testers! Would like be for them and you to show the bag with stuff in it though.
Love the two bags I made using Appaloosa pattern. Step by step instructions are fantastic and the accordion pockets are perfect for my iPad mini.
Hi. I would like to buy the paper pattern with the temples. when will it be available?
Thanks Doris
Hi.please tell me when the paper pattern with the temples will be available again?
Thanks Doris
Hi Doris! I’m so sorry but the Appaloosa Bag is out of print. Thank you!
Hi Sara, Is the appaloosa bag out of print and video, I was wanting to make it . Thanks
Hi Ruby! The paper pattern is out of print but the pdf pattern and the video will always be available. Thank you!
hi Sara the tower cross body bag I got the pattern. I would like the same fabric you made you with. Do you carry the fabric or remember you got it. I like it with the black cork top I know I can get the black cork from you thank you like watch your show. thanks again Ruby.
Hello Ruby! I used ‘Globe Hopper’ fabric by Hoffman Fabrics and the gray fabric is by Guicy Guice and called ‘Spectrastatic’. Hope this helps!