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I’m back with another YouTube video – this time, it’s a full step video to make an Easy Leather Hobo Bag! This bag can be made in any material that can be left raw (so think cork fabric, vinyl, or leather), and it’s aimed at beginners or those who have yet to make a bag out of leather.
In my Easy Leather Hobo Bag sample bags, I used cork fabric from my shop (the blue bag) and faux leather fabric from my shop (the rose gold leather bag). This is a great slouchy bag for summer, and I immediately moved my purse items over to the rose gold bag, it’s so pretty!
Before you start the video, please download the cutting instructions and templates here:
PATTERN – Leather Hobo Bag
Total running time: 54 minutes
- Cutting Instructions – 0:44
- Attaching the Interfacing – 7:33
- Making the Pocket – 15:13
- Inserting the Magnetic Snap – 21:50
- Attaching the Tabs – 26:45
- Sew the Side Panel – 29:12
- Finish the Bag – 39:04
Don’t forget to post a photo of your finished bag in my private Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewsweetnessfans
Supplies and Tools Used in the Video:
- By Annie’s Soft and Stable foam interfacing
- Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing
- magnetic snap
- 1″ metal rectangle
- Clover Wonder Clips
- Pilot Frixion pen
- Clover Chaco in white
- Kai scissors
- 12″ x 6″ Omnigrip quilting ruler
- Steady Betty gray pressing mat
- Singer Expert Finish iron
- Juki TL-2010Q sewing machine / Juki 2200 QVP mini sewing machine
- Aurifil 40wt Thread
- 90/14 needle or microtex needle
- Fabric used is Rose Gold faux leather
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Happy Sewing! Please leave me a comment below – I’d love to hear what other types of videos I should create next!
I follow you on Pinterest for a while and then here on Instagram, love your bags
Thanks so much for the long-time follow Sandra! I hope you enjoy the video!
I love the Hobo bag! I am more interested in making the cork bag. Are there any tips for working with cork?
Hi Constance! I have a video on sewing with cork here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101q0UHtZ0M
Hope this helps!
Great video. It was educational to see how a professional sews :-). Thanks for sharing and for the free pattern! I love your books, patterns and tips!! Can’t wait to make one of these!!
Thanks Kristen, so happy you enjoyed it!
This tutorial was great . Very clear to understand . I think I will try making with fabric first then give the leatherette ago. Many Thanks
Thanks Di! And that is a great idea – quilting cotton is very forgiving!
I haven’t made your bag yet – but what a wonderful tutorial! You give us each step in its entirety!
Thank you so much!
Thank you Bonny! I’m glad you enjoyed it. We actual re-shot the entire video because the first go around, I tried to skip a lot of things (“oh this will be boring”) but I changed my thinking about the videos – everything should be shown because you never know when something you’re doing will be showing something that someone needs to see, or to pick up a new tip!
Which blue cork did you use? I looked at your site and can’t decide which one it was.
Hi Rebecca! It’s Ocean Blue cork 🙂
Hello Sara,
I love this Hobo bag. Great detailed video! I have faux leather just waiting for it! Even if I never yet have sewed this type of “material”.
Just waiting for your next video, maybe related to cork sewing?
Forgive my English, I’m French 😉
Thank you so much!
Hi Laetitia! I actually do have a video on sewing with cork! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101q0UHtZ0M
Hi Laetitia! I do have a video for sewing with cork and you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101q0UHtZ0M
Thank you so much, best tutorial I’ve seen in a while!
Thank you so much for the feedback Diane! It made my day 🙂
Thank you for sharing this excellent tutorial. I can’t wait to make this lovely bag!
Thank you so much Karen, I can’t wait to see your finished bag!
I loved your leather hobo video! You make it look so easy!
This was great! Very easy to follow! Thank you…….
Thank you Marsha! It’s totally do-able! 🙂
Fine pattern and video. Thank you for sharing! I am considering doing your Hobo Bag in cowhide rather than faux leather (although I do have some really nice faux leather). Will post as soon as I get a chance to make it. Have three leather bags in process on my table at the moment.
That would be amazing! Can’t wait to see that!
I am really enjoying making this! Thank you for the pattern. But for some reason I can share the pictures of what I have made so far.
Hi Zhila! Feel free to share photos in my private Facebook group (you will just need to request to join the group – we’ll approve you as soon as we can) https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewsweetnessfans/
Can this be made with vinyl?
Absolutely!
Love this pattern and video – is there a PDF for this anywhere? Also, I thought that someone had posted a picture where they used your faux leather in camel, but I can’t find it on the website. Thanks.
Hello Sheila! The PDF document is located on this blog post right above the embedded video (‘PATTERN – Easy Leather Hobo Bag’). The PDF document contains the cutting instructions and instructions to attach the fabric to interfacing – the sewing instructions are in the video. I’m not sure about the camel faux leather – was it the bag that I posted in my Instagram feed? http://www.instagram.com/sewsweetness
I love your rose gold faux leather fabric, it looks so pretty! It makes the perfect bag for summer. Great video, thanks for sharing!
– Leanna
Thanks so much Leanna! I love the rose gold too, it’s very on-trend right now!
Very good instructions! As young as you are very talented seamstress, indeed!
Thank you so much Reiko!
Finishing up a faux leather bag…your instructions are extremely helpful and the pattern is wonderful! Will be trying with cork next. Have made 3 bags from your books….they went together readily and have earned lots of positive feedback…..
Thanks so much Tina, I really appreciate that! I think you will love it in cork!
Please can I know the measurement of the side of the bag
Hi there! The (finished) width of the side of the bag is 3-1/2″ at the widest point. Hope this helps!
Sarah…I just finished the Hobo bag and I love it ! I saw this great faux snake skin that I purchased and stashed for a rainy day and then I came across this bag. I think it will be a favorite ! I plan to load it up today and start using. Thanks for the super instructions and great video ! Love your sight and look forward to producing more items. Mitt P.S I will post on your facebook with the picture !
I got your email, it’s beautiful, thank you so much for sharing!
Wow earlier I was watching a Tula Pink video from 2013 put up by Fat Quarter Shop when she was introducing her Fox Field collection. And bang she was showing two bags you had made with her collection!! You go girl! I love all your bags and if I could stop watching these videos I might be able to make some. You inspire me so much. Thank you for this pattern and video.
So fun! It seems like such a long time ago now 🙂
Your tutorial is so easy to follow. This will be my first leather, cork or vinyl bag. Thank you for the patterns, etc.
Hey Sara, Can I use a different interfacing instead of Woven ? Like ; Heat and bond fusible interfacing non-woven or Pellon fusible interfacing -ultra lightweight. I would appreciate any help. Thanks
Hi there, the comparable Heat N Bond product to Pellon Shape Flex is Heat N Bond Heavyweight Fusible. Hope this helps!
Hola soy de Colombia y acabo de ver tu tutorial en Sewcanshe y me encanto, desde ahora me suscribo y te pediré autorización para tu grupo de facebook, lo haré por que me pareció muy hermoso y bien hecho, muchas gracias
Love this bag but am not able to find the pattern
Can I use quilter’s cotton to make this bag, or is the pattern and video only for materials that can be seen with raw edges?
Hi there! You can use quilting cotton for the body of the bag – I would suggest adding the 1/4″ seam allowance to the Tabs so that you can sew them right sides together instead. Hope this helps!
I really liked this video and especially liked that you demonstrated each step. Nothing was skipped. I’m not really a beginner but not all that experienced either. That is why I like seeing each step. I was wondering if you used a leather needle for the faux leather or did you use a universal needle for the whole project? Thanks!
Thank you so much Peggy! I usually like working with thinner faux leathers and cork, so I use a Schmetz Microtex 90/14 needle. If you are working with something heavier, you can try a denim or leather needle. Hope this helps!
Do you have PDF version of your instructions? I prefer written instructions with pictures.
I apologize, this was the first free video that I ever did and since then I have realized that I prefer to release a free video with a full pattern complete with step photos, so this is the only one that just had the pattern pieces and cutting instructions to accompany the video. Thank you!
I first found you on Craftsy and purchased some of your patterns through them, Now I am purchasing the videos to go with them and of course other patterns of yours too. I will be a life long follower. Thank you for your time
Thank you Amy!
I can’t access the link for the templates
Hi Charlie, I’ve emailed you. Thanks!
Sara: Thank you so much for emailing me.
I clicked the link, watched the video ( so simple and informative). I still can’t find the Download Link to for the template.
Maybe I’m just not used to your site, as yet.
Hi Sara, I just finished the hobo bag and it turned out so nice!! Thank you so much for the pattern and the video!
Great video thanks. I’m going to use leather which is soft but looks thicker than yours in the video. Do I still need the foam do you think? Thanks Leonie
HI Leonie! It can go either way – for my vinyl and cork versions, I used the foam for both. If you’d like a softer bag (or depending on the thickness of the leather), you can use a thinner interfacing like fleece (or nothing at all).
My gusset, or middle part, is measuring about 1.5″ shorter than around the bag. Is that normal? Asking before I start to sew
Hi, Your video is great. You explain in video step by step which is helpful for beginners and easy understand. Great work
thanks for sharing
Do you think I could use clear vinyl without a lining and fabric for bottom and sides? I would have to modify the pattern maybe a French seam or cover the seems with a binding.
Hi Melissa! If you wanted to use clear vinyl, you may want to instead use binding to finish (and give strength) to those seams instead. Thank you!
Can you tell me what the thickness is of the foam you are using. I think the foam I have is too thick. Thank you so much.
Hello Nicki! I use By Annie’s Soft and Stable, which is less than 1/4″ in thickness. Other foam interfacing options are Bosal In-R-Form and Pellon Flex Foam. Thank you!
I just printed out the template and instructions for the Hobo bag. I measured the 1-inch square and it’s printed the correct size, however, there is no margin on the left hand side of page 2 and the diamond shape is about half the size it should be. There is no margin across the top of page 2 either. The margin is missing on the left hand side and at the top of page 3 – you know how in your video we can see the lower half of the printed text “cut 2 Shape Flex”. Page 4, there is no margin at the top or the left hand side. The margins do not show up when saved as a .pdf in Acrobat Reader. I may not be missing any crucial space but I do not want to make the bag any smaller than it already is. What don’t I know?
Hello Debbie! In your print settings (the box that pops up when you go to print in Adobe Reader), have you already tried the ‘Auto’ selection (under ‘Orientation’)? If you’ve already tried that, would you mind sending me a screenshot of your printer settings so that I can take a look? Thank you!
This is a wonderful video. What a beautiful bag. I can hardly wait to make this. Thank you so much!!!
Lovely video. Very explanatory and detailed. Well done .Thank you so much for the video and pattern.
I’m going to make this with cotton to make sure I know what I’m doing. Can I use fusible foam for the outside or should I use the sew in foam? Also, when I was “test fitting” the side gusset to the main panel, the gusset is coming up short by over an inch. Will that get worked in when I mak small nips in the edge of the gusset as I work it around? Help. Newbie at this.
Hello Denise! You can use either the fusible foam or sew-in foam (I prefer the sew-in as a personal preference). As long as you have printed your pattern pieces using Adobe Reader at ‘Actual Size’ (rather than printing directly from a web browser) and ensured that the 1″ square measures 1″, here’s a video that I have discussing how to pin and sew a side panel: https://sewsweetness.com/2022/01/video-how-to-clip-and-sew-curved-edges.html
Thank you!
I’m so excited to try this but I have printed the pattern directly from the PDF, not the website version, and I still can’t get page 3 to line up correctly. I have printed using all the various settings- fit to page, actual size, and custom scale at 100%. Nothing seems to work. I confirmed the 1″ AND the 4cm and it is correct. The diamonds all match and the writing of “cut 2 Shape Flex” even lines up, but the outer curve on the top left of page 3 just does not line up to match the lower left curve of page 1. What is going on?, At this point, I am tempted to just use a compass and draw in the appropriate curve.
Hello Melissa, I will email you. Thank you!
Hi! I love this bag, thank you for sharing. Could this be somehow done with a zipper? Is there a way to add zipper without using tape to cover the seem allowance?
Hi Kate, you could perhaps add a recessed zipper instead of the magnetic snap. I have a recessed zipper in the free Baker Street Bag pattern, in case you would like to reference that for how it would be installed: https://sewsweetness.com/2017/12/new-free-video-baker-street-bag.html I haven’t personally put a recessed zipper in the Hobo Bag, so I’m not sure of what length the zipper panels should be.
Whoah, that is amazing, I didn’t know about that. I will try it at least two times, once with magnetic and second with recessed zipper ❤️