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This week I’ve been doing some small quilty stuff but mostly my time has been busy with making these easy Hobo bags. Playing with fabrics, zippers and planning the color combinations has me so excited. The pattern is very adaptable and can be used in so many ways. I love this bag for the beach, the market but especially as a wonderful gift!! Fill this bag with some homemade items and give it as a gift. It’s completely reversible and washable. Just touch it up with an iron…or not, and away you go!!

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I am an art therapist at an Assisted Living Facility where I’m lucky to have a sewing group. This week one of my residents wanted to make a “Hobo bag,” so that’s how my current craze began. Before I could teach a 94-year-old how to make one, I needed to test out the pattern. Making a prototype, I immediately found a correction needed in the pattern. Of course, one must then make a few more bags to try out changes made.

PATTERN & ADJUSTMENT: Let me share the adaptable, very easy, reversible Hobo Bag pattern & tutorial found at verypurpleperson.com. In a stroke of luck, you can also view a video by Mr. Domestic making this exact bag out of rayon. He adds thermoweb interfacing, and even quilts some of his bags, but I kept mine somewhat simple. The pattern is very easy except pay attention to my note here. The pattern straps MUST be lengthened before you cut your fabric!! Attach a scrap piece of copy paper (3.25″ x 5.25″) to the paper pattern. This will lengthen your strap so that the bag actually can be worn on your shoulder!! If you follow the pattern as is, the straps will be too short and your bag will only be able to be carried by hand. You got it so far?? Lengthen the pattern and now you’re good to go.

ZIPPERED POCKET: I also added a zipper pocket to one side of my bags. This is optional, but who doesn’t love an extra pocket here and there!? If you’re adding a pocket, do that right after cutting out your fabric pieces. My favorite way to add a zip pocket is the method shown here in this zippered pocket tutorial. If you don’t like that tutorial, you can find several others for adding a zippered pocket. My zippered pocket fabric measured 11″ x 13″. I used a 12″ zipper and cut it down to size. After adding your zipper, only then go ahead and put the bag together.

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I made several bags using fabric that I’ve been eyeing for awhile. The black denim was stretchy and a bit wonky when I completed it, so I tossed it in the wash to shrink. I needed to iron it a bit after drying, but it looks much better. Here are all 3 bags together and I do like how they came out. I might just have to make a few more. My next one may be a very scrappy style cause I’m wondering how that will look. Stay tuned…

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Linking up to:

Design Wall Monday’s

Midweek Makers

My Quilt Infatuation

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Peacock Party

Finished or not Friday