How to sew a slouchy hobo bag (free pattern)

To sew a slouchy hobo bag, cut two outer and two lining pieces from one curved pattern, sew and box the corners of each, then join them and turn the bag right side out through a gap in the lining. The free Sewzy pattern comes in two sizes, and a confident beginner can finish one in about three hours.

TL;DR

• The Sewzy Slouchy Hobo Bag is a free pattern rated intermediate, and takes about three hours.
• It comes in two finished sizes: Regular, about 12⅞ inches, and Large, about 14¾ inches.
• One pattern piece is cut twice in the outer fabric and twice in the lining, so there are four pieces in all.
• The pattern includes a ⅜ inch (1 cm) seam allowance, and the boxed corners are 2 inches.
• Use denim, canvas, corduroy or linen for the outer and quilting cotton or poplin for the lining. Fabric amounts for each size are in the Sewzy app.

What is a hobo bag?

A hobo bag is a soft, slouchy shoulder bag with a single curved body and one strap. It holds its shape through the fabric rather than a stiff frame, so it folds flat when empty and slumps into that relaxed crescent shape when you carry it. That makes it a forgiving sew: there is no zipper to set and no frame to fit.

This one is lined, so the inside is as neat as the outside, and it has an optional inside pocket. The outer and the lining use the same pattern piece, which keeps the cutting simple.

What you need

• Outer fabric: denim, canvas, corduroy or linen. Old jeans work well.
• Lining fabric: quilting cotton or poplin.
• Needle: a 90/14 denim needle for heavy outer fabric.
• Thread: all-purpose polyester or cotton, in a color that blends.
• Optional: a 7 × 6 inch inside pocket and a magnetic snap to hold the top closed.

You do not need interfacing if your outer fabric is already firm, like denim or canvas. See the tools you actually need if you are setting up from scratch.

What size should I make?

Both sizes use the same steps; the Large simply holds more. Pick by what you want to carry.

How to sew a hobo bag, step by step

1. Print and tape the pattern. Print the PDF at home and tape the pages together along the match marks, or take the file to a copy shop for one large sheet. Here is how to print a PDF pattern.
2. Cut the fabric. Cut the body piece twice from the outer fabric and twice from the lining, with the corner squares cut out.
3. Make the pocket (optional). Hem the top of the pocket, press the other edges under and topstitch it to one lining piece.
4. Sew the outer strap top. Join the two outer pieces at the top of the strap.
5. Sew the outer sides and bottom. With right sides together, sew down the sides and across the bottom.
6. Box the outer corners. Bring the side seam and bottom seam together at each cut-out corner, and sew across it to make a 2 inch box and a flat base.
7. Sew the lining. Repeat the side, bottom and corner steps on the lining, but leave a hand-sized gap in one seam for turning.
8. Put the outer inside the lining. Slide the outer bag inside the lining so right sides face.
9. Sew the two openings. Stitch around the two strap openings to join the outer and the lining.
10. Clip and turn. Clip the curves, then pull the whole bag right side out through the gap you left.
11. Close the gap. Fold the gap edges in and sew it shut, by machine or with a ladder stitch.
12. Press and topstitch. Press the top edges flat and topstitch around them for a crisp finish.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a regular needle on denim. A standard needle skips stitches and can snap on thick seams. Fit a 90/14 denim needle before you start.
• Forgetting the turning gap. If you sew the lining all the way closed, there is no way to turn the bag. Leave a hand-sized opening in one lining seam.
• Skipping the corner measurement. Guessing the boxed corners gives two different bases. Make the 2 inch box the same on both.
• Not clipping the curves. A hobo body is curved, so clip into the seam allowance before turning or the edges will pucker. See seam allowance explained.

More free bags to sew

If you like this one, the Boxed Tote Bag uses the same boxed-corner trick in a square shape, and there is a full guide to sewing a tote with boxed corners. For smaller makes from the leftovers, try the free Zipper Pouch or Drawstring Bag, or browse more scrap fabric projects.