Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along: Day 1.

It's here, it's here!

Finally we can start the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag sew along.

Get ready for a week of fun, learning new skills and sewing up the cutest bag around!

So here is the deal - each day I will be posting in my FB Group (and on my FB page) a link to my blog post with details for that day. (If you are unable to join in as we go, the info will stay on my blog for the future if you would like to refer to it at a later date).

By now you should have purchased the pattern and read through it a few times as well as printed and cut out the pattern pieces and the cutting chart, if not you can still purchase the pattern via my website.

Before you get cutting, I want to talk about the importance of planning. For every design I create whether it be a new pattern, sewing a bag or clothing, I create a mood board.

A mood board exists as a tactile and visual sandbox, allowing you to experiment and play with aspects of the design before jumping in a cutting your precious fabric.

So as part of this sew along, why don't you give a mood board a go?
They really can be as simple or as complex as you like. They can be made digitally or you could make one on paper with fabric off cuts and cut photos from magazines or similar.

Things to consider when making your mood board for this sew along:
- Fabric combinations
- What will the bag be used for (this will determine the way your pockets are designed)
- Any special features you might like to add

Here is my mood board for the sew along:

I am making my bag for a young lady, I want it to house girly pretties as pictured. I have chosen the fabric range - Wee Wanderer by Sarah Jane Studios as I find it inspiring and ever so sweet. I also want to add some bag bling from Emmaline Bags.

I would love you to share your mood board in my FB group or on instagram (Make sure to use the #TETSAL), have fun making it!

Mood boards now complete................you need to cut out all of the pattern pieces. Take extra note that the interfacing is not the same size as the fabrics, this is to help make sewing the seams less bulky at the end of the pattern so be careful cutting these.

Once you have cut all of your pattern pieces, fuse the interfacings and fleece to the fabric.

That is all for Day 1. Easy right!

See you tomorrow for Day 2.

Happy Sewing,
Kylie. X

Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along.

I am so excited about my brand spanking new pattern the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag, that I am offering you the opportunity to participate in a Sew Along in my Facebook Group starting on Monday!

The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag is the perfect little bag to carry the all important small necessities when you travel. The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag can be used to carry; nail polish and nail care accessories, electrical cords such as phone cords when travelling, essential oils, make up, colouring books and pencils and so much more.

This pattern features the popular QAYG (Quilt As You Go) Technique as well as how to make your own and add piping to your bag. With so many options, The Tiny Essentials Tote can be customised perfectly to suit your personal needs.

With Christmas just around the corner, these bags make the perfect gift for all ages! And a Sew Along is a great way to get you started.

What is a Sew Along (Also called SAL)?
A sew along is essentially sewing a pattern step by step with a group of others.
The beauty of the online world is that we can join up and do this together, no matter where you are!

This SAL will be running from my blog and FaceBook Group, each day I will be posting steps from the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Pattern that you need to follow for that day.

I will not be rewriting each step, that is what the pattern is for, however I have mini videos, tips and tricks and some prizes all while having fun along the way. You will be able to ask questions in my group and share your work as you go!

If you would like t take part this is what you need to do:

1. Purchase the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Pattern via my website.

2. Read through the pattern a few times to get familiar with the steps required.

3. Get inspired! Check out my website and FB group for loads of inspiration for your bag. Gather all your supplies.

4. Join my FaceBook group as this is where the SAL will essentially run from (and my blog)

5. Get ready for some fun!

Please note this is an intermediate pattern, you must have some experience with sewing zippers. This SAL is suited to people with an intermediate sewing level.

I look forward to sewing Tiny Essentials Tote Bags with you starting on Monday! Catch you then.
Kylie x

Sewing for a cause - an AMAZING FANTASTIC Close to my heart one at that.

Sewing to help others – The Sew Powerful Purse Project

So lately, I have been busy, sew sew busy but for all the right reasons. I am super excited to let you know what I have been up to behind the scenes in between  designing new patterns for you to sew up. You can see my new patterns via my website.

I don’t know about you, but for me sewing makes me feel good. It is a stress relief, an education, a social outlet and my business. I feel lucky to have the skills and resources to sew. I learnt from my grandmother and mother and have access to beautiful machines which make sewing nice and easy.

Recently I went on a search to find a charity sewing project to use my passion of sewing to help others……I stumbled across ‘The Sew Powerful Purse Project’ and was immediately drawn to this fabulous charity. This blog post is about how you too can use your passion for sewing to make a difference, this time for young ladies in Africa and join me on this fun but very meaningful journey.

What is the Sew Powerful Purse Project?

In developing countries, women often have limited access to training and education, literacy and numeracy skills are often an issue. Paid employment opportunities are rare. The Sew Powerful Purse Project aims to assist with this by providing meaningful employment to women in this situation.

Entrepreneurial sewing and tailoring is a perfect solution. The work can be done at home, when time permits, and the extra income can revolutionize a household budget. The simple provision of a sewing machine, and the training to use it, combined with sales and marketing training, truly can revolutionise a woman’s life. But it’s not just her life that is changed – it’s also the lives of her children and the entire community.

Hand in hand with World Vision, this is one significant part of this amazing charities work, the other is providing purses to young ladies in local schools and clinics in Lusaka Zambia as part of Menstruation Hygiene Management (MHM) programs. This simple gift – combined with re-usable sanitary pads, soap, underwear and health information can make a tremendous difference in the lives of adolescent girls.

This is where you come in…… Last year the sew powerful purse project saw just over 500 purses delivered to these young ladies in Lusaka Zambia, feedback was positive, this really made a difference. This year we are hoping to double this figure to 1000 purses.

 

 

 

 Now the closing date for 2015 has occurred, so you want to know how this went right?

Well I have been busting to tell you for so long. I became the Aussie Ambassador for this project, I put my hand up to collect all of the Aussie bag donations (people posted them to me directly) and then I packaged them all up and posted them to the U.S.

I can't tell you how excited I was every time a bag arrived, the work that Team Aussie put in was exceptional, so many beautiful fabrics, top quality sewing and fine little details that would make any young ladies heart sing. (Awwwwwww)

 

 

Me holding some of the Team Aussie Sew Powerful Purses. Aren't they the sweetest!

 

Well this is how it went down - Team Aussie sewed up a total of 36 bags. This is a whopping effort considering I only posted the group with about two months sewing time to get organised. I want to THANK each and every person (Aussie or Not) who sewed for this project for 2015, whether it was 1 bag or 25 bags (yes believe me its true!), you are all amazing, giving, fabulous and kind hearted people. For that I am so grateful.

 

I stood on a very very tall ladder to get this shot, so please show me some love by sharing this everywhere :)

 

The online friendships we have made through the group we have set up are amazing, everyone has so much fun sharing the bags they make and you have all been so supportive. We have ambassadors for India and the U.K. collecting the bags also, or people sent them direct to the U.S. themselves.

So did we hit the 1000 total I hear you ask? Well that is yet to be known, there is going to be a Live Streaming of The Fall Purse Unboxing Party on  November 11th at 6pm Pacific. We are going to live-stream it - so if you want - you can watch it live! And if you happen to be in the greater Seattle area - the unboxing party will be at our office: 218 E. Main Street, Auburn Wa. You're cordially invited!" (Gosh I wish I could be there for this! How fabulous would it be).

 

I need to thank a couple of amazing businesses who have helped Team Aussie along the way with this project as I appreciate them so much. One Thimble for posting an article in their beautiful online e-zine about this wonderful project. And Handbag Hardware Australia who so very generously donated finds towards postage costs (which are quite a lot from Australia to the U.S.). So thank you ladies, I am so grateful for your support. x

Just because the date has closed for 2015 does not mean this project ends, no no, this project is an ongoing one and we now have a collection date for 2016!

The next Sew Powerful collection deadline has been set for February 1, 2016! So you have lots of time to get organised and help us sew more beautiful bags for these young ladies in Zambia.

 

Here is what you can do to help:

1.      Head to www.sewpowerful.org, download the free purse pattern. (You need to use this specific Liberty Jane Purse pattern for this project). There are options within this pattern for beginners to more advanced sewers, so all sewing levels are catered for.

2.      You may like to join the Facebook group I have set up https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewpowerfulpurseproject/ for sewing help, ideas, support and contacts who are posting out bulk lots of bags from some countries.

3.      Start sewing purses, make as many or as few as you would like. Take your time, make them good quality, the young ladies love bright and fun colours, get creative and have some fun!

4.      Once you have finished sewing your gorgeous purses, download the message card and include a kind greeting in your purse. Write something special to the girl who will receive your work. Maybe a poem, scripture verse, prayer, or word of encouragement.

5.      Be sure to finish your purses and mail them to sew powerful by – February 1, 2016. Of course we are happy to receive the purses all year long if you miss the priority deadline. If you are in Aus you are welcome to post them to me and I will be sending another big batch off (you can email me for details or they will be posted in the FB group).

 

6.     If you are a business who would like to get involved with this project (no one is paid to undertake this charity sewing event so all help is much appreciated), please feel free to email me. I would love any Aussie businesses who might like to donate money towards postage or if you would like me to write an article for your business so you can share far and wide I would love to do that also. (Feel free to share this blog post too). My email is lilmoodesigns@hotmail.com

In the words of Plato “happiness springs from doing good and helping others.”

Let’s get sewing, together we can make a difference.

 

Happy Sewing, Kylie x

What you get in a pattern from Little Moo Designs.....

I was chatting with some designer friends recently about what you get when you purchase a pattern. I can not speak for other designers however I thought it would be good to chat with you about what you get from MY patterns.

Firstly, Little Moo Designs Patterns are a digital file, like an e-book if you will, once you purchase (and pay via paypal) you will receive an email straight away with a link to download the purchased pattern. This is fabulous if you want to start sewing right away!

First things first, SAVE the pattern on your computer and back up on a USB or in Drop Box. (Just in case your system ever crashes).

The pattern includes step by step instructions, coloured photographs, cutting charts and digitised pattern pieces (this is specified in the pattern listings on my website as some have cutting charts in place of pattern pieces to save printing - enviro friendly here!). The pattern pieces are designed to be printed on your home printer on A4 paper.

Follow the instructions and create your bag!

There has been some talk of late about when you purchase a PDF Sewing Pattern some designers are asking customers to purchase licences or stating that they can not sew to sell, again I can't comment on this as each designer has their own way of running their business, however I wanted to share what happens when you purchase MY patterns.

You are purchasing from me, an indie (independent) pattern designer from rural Queensland in Australia. I am a sole operator, I am not owned by a big company, I spend many nights up until all hours creating patterns that I hope you love (and subsequently sell well around the world).

                                                       This is me :) Sharing the Bay Boho Bag with you all.

My patterns are sold with a "cottage licence" - this is what you will read on the first page of each of my patterns:

© Little Moo Designs: CONDITIONS OF SALE & COPYRIGHT

This PDF is sold with a cottage licence. This means if you sew from home to sell at markets or online via facebook, etsy, made it etc you can definitely sell items made from this pattern without needing to purchase a separate licence.

Each person who wishes to use this pattern should purchase their own copy of it. Please credit this pattern when selling items made from it. If you would like further clarification in regards to this, please email lilmoodesigns@hotmail.com

What exactly does this mean??
Here is some Q&A's about this:

1. Can I sew to sell from Little Moo Patterns?
YES you can! In fact I would love to see your work and I actively promote my customers work on instagram and facebook (so tag me!) No you do not need to purchase a 'licence' to sell items from my patterns.

2. Can I purchase the file and then forward it to friends?
Please don't, out of respect to my craft and business it would be great if you could direct your friends to purchase their own copies via my website. They are really well priced and it keeps me in business being able to produce more fabulous patterns for you.

3. Do I have to credit Little Moo Designs in my bag listings when selling?
Technically NO you do not have to, however again out of respect I would love it if you could.

I hope this clarifies some of the questions you may have about my designs. If you have any more, please do not hesitate to email me at lilmoodesigns@hotmail.com

This is my new pattern - The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag. It includes a BONUS hair straightener/curling iron travel pocket (all for $8.50 AU!) You can purchase it here.



Remember I love to see your creations here is the best places to keep in touch with me:

To keep up to date with Little Moo Designs I would love you to check out:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lilmoodesigns

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/littlemoodesignssewcialists

Website: www.littlemoodesigns.com.au

Instagram: www.instagram.com/littlemoodesigns 

Blog: http://littlemoodesigns.blogspot.com.au

Etsy: www.etsy.com/littlemoodesigns1

Happy Sewing,
Kylie. x

The Winner of the #BayBohoSelfie Competition is.......

I have to say I am blown away at the love out there for the Bay Boho Bag, my most recent pattern. The bags I am seeing popping up everywhere are just devine! I have received a number of messages from customers saying that they love this pattern as they have never sewn a bag before and are finding it a challenge but not too complicated. They are trying welt zipper pockets and using hardware for the first time. This makes my heart sing......so THANKYOU!

As part of the launch of the Bay Boho Bag Pattern, I decided to run a competition with a difference..... You can read about it here in my blog post.

I want to say a HUGE thank you to Craft Boxes for including the Bay Boho as part of the September Sew Box and for the amazing prize for this comp! Check this box of gorgeousness out - this is what the winner will receive along with some extra patterns from me!

  This is my version of the Bay Boho using the contents of the September Sew Box above. This fabric is devine!

I wanted to share with you all the entries in the #baybohoselfie competition. Here we go:

Anne-Maree with her gorgeous horse inspired Bay Boho. Looking stunning!

Hermione with her Aunty Acid's Bay Boho. This makes me smile! I love Aunty Acid, too funny!

Beautiful Rebecca showing off her September Sew Box Bay Boho. That pop of purple with the zipper is perfect.

Here is stunning Susan. I love this paisley fabric, coral is so on trend. It is just beautiful.

Tanya has rocked this pattern by adding 2 zipper pockets and a cute closure! I love these add ons and such pretty floral.




THANKYOU everyone for entering! Each of your bags is amazing.

And now for the winner.....I hate choosing....so I let random.org do that for me.

 

And the winner is: Hermione!! Congrats please email me with your address so I can send your wonderful

prize out to you.

To thank all of the ladies who took the time to enter - I would like to give each of you a complimentary pattern from my collection. Please make your selection and email me.

Thank you again for all of your support. I have so much coming up in the next month to share with you. Such a busy and
 exciting time for me, so stay tuned for details. .

 

Happy Sewing, Kylie. x

 

WIN WIN WIN! Sew a Bay Boho

THANKYOU so very much! The launch of the Bay Boho Bag Pattern has blown my mind. I am so very grateful that you love this bag as much as I do! Your support of my work means more than you will ever know, so thank you.

This launch has been made all the more exciting with this pattern being included in the September Sew Box Subscription Boxes. These boxes of goodness include fabric, notions and amazing patterns each month. You will never get the same project twice. They are inspirational and such a fun surprise for anyone who loves sewing. 

On that note.....do you want to see what is in them? Here you go:

How pretty is it! To tell you the truth I think these are a bargain for what you get in them but it is the surprise factor that really sells it. (Who doesn't love a sewing surprise!)

So, I have taken the contents of this box and made myself a Bay Boho, the fabric is so inspiring for Spring I could not wait to get cracking. So here she is:

Pretty Pretty don't you think!

If you love this! Boy do I have a promotion for you!

How would you like to win your very own September Sew Box (as pictured above)?
Better still how about 3 x Little Moo Designs Patterns to add to the box?
Well you can!
It is as simple as this:

1. Purchase the Bay Boho Pattern via my website.
2. Sew your own Bay Boho Bag.
3. Now here is the fun part! Post a selfie of you with your Bay Boho Bag. This can be a photo in a mirror, have someone take a photo of you or any other creative idea you have it just has to be you wearing your bag.
4. Email your photo to me OR post on Instagram or in The Little Moo Designs FB Group using the #baybohoselfie #baybohobag and be sure to tag me (on instagram).

Why a selfie you ask not just a bag photo?
Firstly I wanted a competition with a twist, I wanted to challenge people to do some mindful sewing, sew for yourself and make a bay boho that you will be proud to carry around and tell people you made it with a big smile on your face. So often we are own worst critics....I want this comp to crack that! (Well start to anyway!) So are you up for the challenge?

The Competition Closes: Sunday 20th September 2015 8.00 PM AEST.
Winner will be chosen via random ballot and announced on my FB Page &  Instagram.
The competition is open to WORLDWIDE Entry....yes that's right - I will post the prize to you at my expense.

Sounds like fun doesn't it? Well jump on board, sew a Bay Boho you are proud of and you never know your luck you just may win a fabulous prize!

Here is my selfie to kick things off.

I can not wait to see your versions of the Bay Boho Bag Pattern.

Happy Sewing, Kylie. X

 

The Bay Boho Bag and an epic hardware deal just for you!

Boy oh boy have I been slack at this blogging thing! Well I am back with a bang and do I have some awesome news for you.

 

First of all is the launch of my brand spanking new pattern - The Bay Boho Bag!

 

Inspired by the sands of Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly, surf's up ecotopia; The Bay Boho Bag draws on various bohemian and hippy influences. Large in size, loose in style, this bag will take you from the markets, to the beach to lunch in style.

The Bay Boho Bag is an open style bag which closes with a magnetic closure. The pattern includes options for a zipper welt pocket and internal slip pockets. The Bay Boho is a crossbody bag and features measurements for a large strap (you can change the length of this to suit your own personal preferences).

If you are quick you can grab a $2 launch discount for a limited time - use the discount code BAYBOHO and purchase the pattern via my website. 

 

The second piece of news is.......

I have been working behind the scenes on a fantastic hardware deal just for you. This is limited to 45 orders so please if you want these do not delay. 

 

 

For $16.95 (AU) which INCLUDES postage Australia Wide, you can get one of these amazing hardware packs from Craft Boxes Australia.

In each pack you get:

- 4 x Snap "O" Rings

- 2 x magnetic closure sets

- 4 x Key Fob Hardware sets

There will be a free tutorial on my website in the coming week on how to make these key fobs.

If you would like to order please PM Leesa at Craft Boxes Australia.

 

 

I hope you enjoy this pattern and amazing hardware deal. I have made many of these bags and I have to say it is one of my favourites!

Happy Sewing, Kylie. x

 

 

Stay tuned for an amazing competition coming in a few days time that you will not want to miss!