How to Sew a Super Chic Hobo Bag

Thanks to its size and design, the large hobo tote is a popular complement to a casual look. It combines practicality with style and elegance.

In today’s tutorial, I want to show you how to sew a hobo bag, using 12 oz canvas for the outer.

Tools and materials:

• 12 oz canvas
• Cotton lining fabric
• 13 3/4” (35 cm) zipper
• Scissors
• Pins or fabric clips
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Iron
• Sewing machine

1. Cut out the fabric

Cut two rectangles 14 1/2" x 11 3/4" (37 x 30 cm) and one strip 34 1/4" x 6 5/8" (87 x 17 cm) from both the outer fabric and the lining.

Cut two pieces 11 3/4" x 6 5/8" (30 x 17 cm) and one piece 27 1/2" x 9 1/2" (70 x 24 cm) from the canvas and one 11 3/4" (30 cm) square from the lining.

You will also need four pieces 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" (4 cm x 3 cm) from the canvas.

2. Prepare the zipper

Sandwich each end of the zipper tape between two of the smallest canvas pieces.

Sew in place 3/8” (1 cm) from the ends.

Fold the fabric pieces back and top stitch close to the fold.

3. Inner pocket

Fold the lining square in half with the right side inside.

Sew the open edges, leaving an opening in the longer edge.

Snip the corners and turn the pocket right side out through the opening.

Top stitch the folded edge.

Pin the pocket centrally to the long edge of the large lining panel on the right side, 3 1/2” (9 cm) from the top edge.

Sew in place around the three sides and up the center of the pocket.

4. Insert the zipper

Lay the lining with the pocket attached right side up and place the zipper along the top edge.

Place the matching canvas panel on top with the right sides facing and sew 1/4” (0.7 cm) from the raw edge.

Fold the lining under the canvas and top stitch next to the seam.

Lay the second lining panel underneath the first, with the right side uppermost and place the second canvas piece on the top layer, with the wrong side uppermost.

Stitch the free edge of the zipper tape as before.

Open out the canvas and lining panels and top stitch the zipper seam.

5. Make the handle

Place the wide strip of canvas with the wrong side uppermost.

Fold it in half lengthways and press.

Open it out and press each long edge to the center.

Fold it in half lengthways again and top stitch the two long sides.

6. Bag gusset

Fold the narrow strip of canvas in half widthways with the right side inside and mark 9 7/8” (25 cm) from the fold on the top and bottom edges and 1 1/2” (4 cm) from the top and bottom on the open edges.

Join the top marks with a diagonal line and repeat with the bottom marks.

Cut along the lines.

Fold the matching lining strip in half in the same way and place the canvas piece on top. Trim the lining to match the canvas.

7. Outer pockets

Fold the smaller rectangles of canvas in half widthways with the right sides inside and sew the edge opposite the fold closed.

Turn the pieces right side out.

Fold in half from 3/4” (2 cm) above the seam and press. Top stitch close to the seam.

Draw lines across the shaped canvas piece, 9 7/8” (25 cm) from the tapered ends.

Pin the pockets to the gusset, aligning the folded edges to the lines, and sew along the three sides.

8. Assemble the bag

Notch the center of the lower edge of one of the bag panels and the upper edge of the gusset.

Place the gusset over the panel with the right sides facing and the notches aligned. Pin in the center.

Fold the pocket sections to line up with the sides of the bag and pin in place.

Sew around the sides and base.

Attach the other canvas panel to the free edges of the gusset.

Join the lining gusset to the lining panels in the same way, leaving an opening in one of the side seams.

9. Attach the handle

Thread the handle through the openings in the top of the gusset on the canvas side.

Align the ends of the handle with the openings.

Pin the openings in the canvas and lining together and sew them closed.

Pull the canvas bag through the opening in the side seam of the lining.

Sew the opening closed.

Tuck the lining inside the bag.