Where in NM are you located?

You might check with your local Back Country Horsemen to see if any members have a pair that you could use for a pattern.

Where in NM are you located?

You might check with your local Back Country Horsemen to see if any members have a pair that you could use for a pattern.

     We are in Deming, closest chapter is in Las Cruces (hour or so away) and I don't know any of them.  I don't know of anyone around here that packs.  They are either racing or ranching. 

    I just got my first sewing machine and I'm learning how to use it.  It gets a bit to cold here in the winter for my tastes so I figured making some hay bags and panniers would be a good "stay inside and keep warm" project for this winter.  Hubby thinks it's funny as heck that I can plumb a house and put up drywall but I can't sew on a button or fix a loose hem.

While I was rummaged around looking for some pannier patterns online, I ran across where someone was talking about modifying some cargo totes to use as panniers.  You might also be able to go online and just look at how some are and make your own patterns out of butcher paper.

     I've been looking at picures on line and have had a offer from a fourm member near here to let me make a pattern off of theirs.  I've got an aussie saddle so I'd have to make some modifications.  I've been looking at patterns of tote bags and I think I've found one that will work with adaptations.  I've got some really cheap fabric to practice with.  When it gets cold (or if we get flooded in) I'll try it out. 

     I've got to much outside work to do right now to try it.  We've had about 1/2 our yearly rainfall here in the past 4 days so there is a lot of standing/running water right now.  We've got a wall that runs around our property and the rain pools up in the low spot, which is on the corner of the property which the previous owners built the barn/pens in.  The drain in my horse pen (runs under the wall) is clogged and my horses are up to their knees in water so I 've got to go unclog the drain.  I'm gonna get really muddy!!

I thought you were looking for the hard box panniers. Do you mean like saddle bags, or cantle bags?

I've used the suitability patterns... I've also traced some other gear.

If you have any leather and can sew through it (deerskin is usually soft enough for a home sewing machine) - use wax paper on the bottom so that it will slide through beneath the needle/ presser foot.  Use heavy duty thread.  My favorite horn bags I bought. They were about $20!!  zippers because all the other ones bounced and let things fly out of them when cantering.

I have the suitability patterns...  send me a message... maybe we can arrange something. I've made western saddle covers, helmet bags, bridle bags, etc. etc. upholstery material is FABULOUS for this... Ever see a couch or chair on the road side? Cut off large patches from the back! For leather pieces, old purses, vests, or recliners work!  Dental floss is good sewing thread too if you can't find traditional waxed thread.

There is a fabric store near me that carries upholstery remnants, so I've used them mostly.

Some more tips. Rolled wrapping paper (think UGLY Christmas paper on sale after Xmas) makes GREAT patterns.

The sleeve from an old coat or sweatshirt, sewed at one end and gathered up at the other, can work behind the cantle to hold some items. Buy several pairs of leather stirrup hobbles and punch holes the entire length of the leather strap. Use these to "tie" things to the back of your saddle. Or, old REAL leather belts can sometimes be modified to work.
English woven spur straps work well too as you can poke the buckle tongue through anywhere.

Woman's sturdy purses can be used as saddle bags. Make sure they are equally weighted. Padded, insulated lunch carriers can be modified too.

The easiest thing to do, for a day ride, is simply use a backpak on you!

That's a LOT of good ideas.  Thanks.  What I was thinking of trying was a modified version (to fit my aussie saddle) of the saddle panniers.  Like these.  http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=2e87c4c4-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5

I've found a beach bag that is about the right size.  It would have to hang a bit lower than normal to accomadate the fenders but I think it will work.  I've got some canvas that I was thinking of using.  Once I get comfortable sewing I'll try the heavier, more expensive materials.

Those over saddle panniers, can you still ride with those?  I thought those were for a pack horse (not ridden) simply using a saddle instead of an actual pack frame.

I bet if you had the suitability pattern for a saddle cover OR an actual saddle cover to trace, you could modify it to create that over saddle "pannier".

Sometimes when I've made something that needs some extra stitching, I take it to a nearby shoe repair place where they have the super-duty stitchers.

If you can find a Suitability horse equipment pattern with instructions, cheap (Ebay or Craigslist), they have SO many other tips and hints on strengthening your stitching and what types of materials to use. I always sewed "X- boxes" when attaching webbing or layering one fabric over another.

And look for welded closed rings - not the ones that have a gap where they join together - those will stretch and fail.

I've been sewing for over 40 years - inventing things as I go... : ) Nothing beats the older Singer sewing machines with steel cams, drives, and shafts.

I'm just learning to sew.  The over the saddle panniers aren't supposed to be ridden on.  We have 5 horses and only 4 of us so I figured if we ever go anywhere we can take all 5 and use the unridden one to carry the packs. Since a used saddle is easier/cheaper to find I was looking at using one of these instead of buying a pack saddle we may use once or twice (or never). 

My grandmother had one of the old Singer machines with the foot pedal(no electricity needed).  She could make all kinds of stuff but being the tomboy I am I never wanted to stay inside to learn.

Those foot pedal machines are highly sought by Amish communities (no electricity)..... THe machine I learned on was only a few years beyond that! LOL...

I am still a "tomboy" ... I think my father inspired some of my "inventions" more than anyone... I am able to visualize in 3D quite easily - so building with fabric or wood or leather, etc.,  seems to come pretty easily.

Hi Terri - Can't help w/the patterns but I'm in Las Cruces and we pack.  Did 10 days in the Gila in May and had a great time.  We (4 women and added a husband 1/2 way through) went up the middle fork and down the west fork.

some of the pictures can be seen here:  http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZtHLJw4btWHF 

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b34634af65de&sid=8AZtHLJw4btWHU

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZtHLJw4btWHn

Rose