Wednesday, November 20, 2013

You Sew Girl Hobo Bag Sewing Pattern Test Drive

I actually made up this bag in early October but haven't had a chance to blog about it until now. If you came to the Brisbane October Craft and Quilt Fair you might have seen it as part of our display. I'd been wanting to make this one up for a while but as usual picking the perfect fabric was the sticking point :)

We finally decided on Echino Bloom Black for the outside of the bag, this fabric is 150m wide and non directional. To save fabric I cut out the pattern pieces perpendicular to the selvedge instead of parallel to it as per the pattern instructions. The lining is June Dot Pink, which is a fabric we purchased specifically to be used as a lining with Echino prints as the pinks used in both designs are so similar.

The final bag measures 20cm (8") tall x 30cm (11-3/4") wide x 10cm (4") deep, which I think is a good size, not too big but not so small that you can't fit anything in it. 

Difficulty
This pattern is rated for basic to intermediate sewing skills, I made the sample to shows off some of the more advanced optional features of the bag.
There is a zippered closure for the top of the bag but, if you are after a quick and easy closure option, you can use a magnetic catch or button instead. The instructions for all options are included in the pattern instructions. The zippered closure is inserted at the bottom of the facing which is 5cm below the top of the bag. If you think you will need that extra 5cm for putting stuff inside your bag then you should use the magnetic or button closure option :0)
Inside the bag lining I have added in the optional zippered pocket. I took this photo during construction as I think that it is the best zippered lining pocket I've every sewn. It is certainly the straightest :) 
On the other side of the lining I have inserted a divided pocket, which is the easier pocket option.

Interfacing
The Hobo is designed to be a soft and slouchy bag so I haven't gone overboard with creating structure with interfacing. The fabric is a 85% Cotton/15% Linen blend so it is a little heavier than quilting cotton. I have teamed this with medium weight fusible interfacing. The resulting bag doesn't stand up on its own but it contours more to the body while being worn. If you prefer a more structured bag you can do this by adding in a layer of light weight fusible wadding.

Overall this bag went together fairly quickly and easily. A good project to keep you occupied for a night or two.

If you would like to recreate this bag here is everything you will need:

- Ky

No comments:

Post a Comment