Getting Started with My Hobo Bag Project
Okay, so I decided I needed a new bag, something casual, you know? And I saw these hobo bags everywhere, looked comfy and could hold a lot of junk. Instead of buying one, I thought, why not try making it myself? Seemed like a decent weekend project. First thing, I had to gather my supplies.
- Grabbed some sturdy-ish fabric for the outside. Found a nice canvas print I liked.
- Picked out a simpler cotton for the lining. Didn’t want anything too busy inside.
- Matching thread, obviously.
- My trusty sewing machine, scissors, pins, iron – the usual suspects.
Didn’t use a super complicated pattern. I kind of sketched out a simple shape, like a big U with a wider top, and figured out the dimensions I wanted. Two big pieces for the main body (front and back), two identical pieces for the lining, and a long strip for the strap. That was the plan, anyway.
Cutting and Prepping
Laid the outer fabric flat on my big table. Making sure the pattern direction was right way up, that’s important! Pinned my sketched shape onto it and carefully cut out the two main pieces. Did the same for the lining fabric. Then cut the long rectangle for the strap. Ironing everything flat at this stage really helps later, trust me. Makes sewing much neater.
Putting the Pieces Together
Alright, sewing time. Took the two outer fabric pieces, put them right sides together. Pinned along the sides and the bottom curve. Then I just sewed along that edge, leaving the top wide open. I backstitched at the start and end to make sure it wouldn’t unravel. Did the exact same thing with the two lining pieces. BUT, for the lining, I left a gap, maybe 5-6 inches long, right in the middle of the bottom edge. This is super important for turning the bag later.
Next up, the strap. Took that long rectangle piece, folded it in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together, and pressed it flat with the iron. Then I opened it up, folded the long raw edges into that center crease I just made, and pressed again. Folded it in half one last time along the original center crease, so all the raw edges were tucked inside. Pinned it like crazy and then sewed close to both long edges to keep it all together and make it look finished. A nice sturdy strap.
Assembling the Bag
Okay, this part needs a bit of focus. Kept the outer bag wrong side out. Took the finished strap and pinned the raw ends to the top corners of the outer bag, on the right side of the fabric. Make sure the strap isn’t twisted! One end to each side seam area at the top.
Then, I took the lining bag, which was still right side out, and stuffed it inside the outer bag. So, the right side of the lining was facing the right side of the outer bag. Lined up the top raw edges of the outer bag and the lining bag, matching the side seams. Pinned all the way around that top opening, sandwiching the strap ends between the layers. Then I sewed all around that top edge.
The Final Stretch: Turning and Finishing
Now for the magic bit. Remember that gap I left in the lining? Found that hole and started pulling the entire bag through it. Gently! Pull everything out until the bag is right side out. It looks like a mess at first, but just poke out the corners and smooth things down. Push the lining down inside the bag where it belongs. Nearly there!
The last real sewing step was closing that gap in the lining. Just tucked the raw edges in neatly and stitched it closed, either by hand with an invisible stitch or really close to the edge on the machine. Since it’s inside the lining, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
To make the top edge look crisp, I pressed it flat with the iron one last time. Then I did a topstitch all the way around the top opening of the bag, maybe about a quarter-inch from the edge. This catches the lining and outer fabric and gives it a nice professional-ish look. And it helps keep the lining from peeking out.
All Done!
And that was pretty much it! Stood back and looked at my finished hobo bag. It wasn’t perfect, maybe a slightly wobbly seam here or there, but it looked like a bag, felt sturdy, and I made it myself. Chucked my stuff in it straight away. Pretty pleased with how it turned out, honestly. A good practical make.
