home tutorials features parties custom orders

Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Uptown Hobo Bag & Giveaway

In the past week, I have officially tested out four new patterns for different designers!  What fun I've had!

One pattern is the Uptown Hobo Bag from Rose at the blog Rose Is A Rose.  The Uptown Hobo Bag is her first purse pattern up for sale, and I am so honored to be able to help her out with testing.


Rose did a wonderful job of creating a stylish, spacious, and very functional bag.  It's roughly 14" wide, 11" tall, and 4" thick.  Believe me.  You can put a lot of stuff inside this bag, and the large flap helps keep it all safe and sound.  I've been using mine for the last several days now and I absolutely love it!

The pattern pieces are simple and clearly marked, making it a cinch to cut out all the fabric and interfacing required.  Rose then guides you through each step of constructing the bag, including installation of either a magnetic snap or turn lock for the closure, with detailed written instructions and labeled photos.  She really did an excellent job putting the whole package together!

For my Uptown Hobo Bag, I used quilting cotton for the exterior and reinforced it with a layer of Shape Flex interfacing and fusible fleece.  The lining is made of duck cloth with no additional interfacing added to it.  I've used duck cloth as the lining of the last two bags I've made, and I love how it holds up!



For the purse strap, I used some marine vinyl fabric that I purchased as a remnant at Joann's.  It's very supple and looks and feels like real leather.  This was my first experience in sewing with vinyl, and I can definitely attest that it was a challenge.  Rose's pattern does not call for leather or vinyl to be used, so you won't find any tips or tricks on how to sew it in there!  I just searched the web and  used some advice offered up in another bag pattern I tested at the same time (that I'll share with you soon).  I think the vinyl was a nice addition to my version of the bag, and I would use it again for a bag strap like this one.

On the interior of the bag, I kept things simple and only included a slip pocket for my phone and mints.  I debated whether or not to add a zippered pocket to the exterior that I could keep my phone or keys in for quick access, but opted to just stick to the pattern this time!  However, Rose does offer up full instructions for how to install an optional zipper pocket to the interior of the bag.


Overall, the Uptown Hobo Bag was a simple, straightforward purse project that offered up instant gratification.  I was able to complete this bag start to finish in one afternoon.  It's definitely a project suitable for a novice purse sewer or an intermediate beginner.


Would you like to try making your own Uptown Hobo Bag?  Then either hop on over to Rose's blog to purchase your own copy of the new pattern, or enter my contest below for a chance to win a copy.  Thanks for stopping by!  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This bag has been featured on the following blog parties:

   

41 comments:

  1. I love a big bag to hold all sorts of stuff! A shoulder strap is needed too :) This looks like a wonderful bag - you did a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like lots of pockets so I can keep pretending I am organized.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your bag!! The fabrics are gorgeous and it turned out fantastic! I love this pattern too, Rose did a wonderful, thorough job on her pattern and I agree, there is a lot of reward for a nice afternoon's work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I dont have a favourite style of bag, usually it is just a nice design and simple fabric that makes me like a certain bag... They have to match every outfit because I only ever have one. Maybe I need to start making some!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Big. I have toooo much I need to fit in my purse with two smallkids! But I still want it to look like a purse even if I use it as a diaperbag

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't have a specific favorite, medium-sized is good. I've made a few mail bags recently and love to make any type of purse/bag!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love big roomy bags with lots of pockets!~ mjalfano19@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love a bag that can hold everything and that can go with almost any outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ótimo trabalho,gosto dos médios pois carrego pouca coisa,carteira,celular e documentos basico.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite bag is a medium size with pockets that can be used as a shoulder bag or cross body bag.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love one that is medium to large, because although I'm potty-training my youngest, it's amazing how much stuff I need to carry in my purse to take care of those darn kids!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like long hobo bags but not too big.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like my bags withs ruffles, bows, or gathers. Handbag size is about right as long as it has lots of pockets :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like over the shoulder and totes. And they have to have room for a book and a knitting/crochet project along with all the other junk us women carry :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your fabric choices! I really enjoyed Rose's pattern as well and think it's going to be a hit! It looks great for a day trip or if you have kids that like to sneak things in like I do :-)

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like one that doesn't have long straps. I don't like huge ones either. Simple and cute is enough for me :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm torn. I LOVE big totes that I can carry my life in... but what happens is I pull my wallet or pouch, whichever I'm using, out and just carry that with me into stores or whatever. :) The tote stays in the car with my life safely tucked away. :)

    melle @ www.featheredruffles.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I want a bag that can hold my knitting and look super stylish. My bags are always so functional, and I usually only have one, so I want something that will last, too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like a good shoulder or messenger bag.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm loving smaller bags lately, I'm so thankful I don't need to carry a diaper bag anymore!

    ReplyDelete
  21. This bag is gorgeous! I love the fabric you used! Thanks for review! I also have tried sewing with vinyl - it is not easy!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love bags of all shapes and sizes, colors and patterns! This is SUPER cute and I can see so many different patterns and colors I could use to make this to match my wardrobe ;) Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. This bag is adorable! I love the lining fabric. As for my favorite bag, I love messenger bags, but anything with pleats is great too! In fact I am having a giveaway for my Pleatly Please Purse right now. I’d love for you to check out our Pattern Party! Those with free patterns and templates to share are invited to link up! We also have a great giveaway for Free Patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love love love this bag....its so cute. I have the perfect fabric for it. Thank you for the give away.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love love love this bag....its so cute. I have the perfect fabric for it. Thank you for the give away.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love a big slouchy bag, enough to room for all the essentials for a mum!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love bags with style and a city look. This fits the bill

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love any bag that has plenty of room but extra pockets to make placing and finding things better.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Gosh, I love many styles of purses!! I think it depends on what I'm wearing and where I'm going. Pockets are an absolute must :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your version! Thanks for the great review, glad your are enjoying your bag.
    I have a few tips for sewing with leather on my blog here:
    http://roseisaroseisa.blogspot.com/2012/06/leather-emmaline-bag-with-tips-for.html

    ReplyDelete
  31. Nice job! I really love the fabric you picked, and the pattern is great. I need to make more bags with big flaps like that to keep everything inside. Most of mine are big, open ones.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love all bag styles...some days tiny, some days huge...all shapes!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This bag is beautiful.I like your fabric choice

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like a cross body bag the best, as then I have 2 hands free for dealing with my kids. :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. My favorite style is anything stylish! I love details: cute fabric, embroidery, felting, a fun shape etc.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gorgeous! Love the fabric you chose, it's amazing!

    www.domesticblisssquared.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I have to have a long strap that I can use cross body or on my shoulder. Great looking bag!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have to have bigger bags now so I can store stuff for my 2 year old.

    ReplyDelete
  39. It is lovely and beautiful bags, I love the fabric and the style you go.

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to leave a comment! I love reading what you think about my post!