FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag

Have you ever wanted a lightweight bag that can carry a big load?

Maybe you are heading out on a walk and don’t have that perfect bag for a quilt so you can spread out and enjoy the fresh air in a sunny field.

This reversible, Crossbody Hobo Bag is a cinch to make using two 18″ squares from a fabric panel and some coordinating fabric! Did I mention that it’s reversible too?

The straps are tied together on the shoulder after the bag is complete so you can adjust the length as desired, some days you might want it longer than others or you might have people of different heights using it and wanting a different length.

Send Me to the Woods Fabric by Tara Reed

WHAT YOU NEED:

SIDE 1:

(2) 18″ panel squares – I use two from my Send Me to the Woods fabric collection sold through Riley Blake Designs.

1/3 yard coordinating fabric

SIDE 2:
3/4 yard of non-directional fabric

If you don’t have or want to use a panel you can use 3/4 yard of two coordinating, non-directional fabrics, simply follow the direction for Side 2 twice.


CUT YOUR FABRIC

Side 1:

  • CUT (2) 18″ squares from the panel of your choice.

From the coordinating fabric:

  • CUT (2) 4″ x 30″ for the straps
  • CUT (1) 4″ x 18″ for the bag bottom

Side 2:

  • CUT (2) 4″ x 30″ for the straps
  • CUT (1) 18″ x 39 1/2″ for bag sides and bottom

MAKING THE BAG BODY

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 1

See figure 1 for orientation before sewing the bag bottom to the 18″ squares.

CLIP OR PIN the bottom of one of the 18″ square pieces with the 4″ x 18″ bag bottom fabric, right sides together.

SEW with a 1/4″ seam. PRESS towards bottom.

CLIP OR PIN the bottom of the other 18″ square piece to the other side of the 4″ x 18″ bag bottom piece, right sides together.

SEW with a 1/4″ seam. PRESS towards bottom.

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 2
FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 3

FOLD in half from the bottom, right sides together and CLIP OR PIN. (figure 2)

SEW both sides with 1/4″ seam.

FOLD the 18″ x 39 1/2″ Side 2 fabric in half and CLIP OR PIN. (figure 3)

SEW both sides with 1/4″ seam.


CREATING THE BOX CORNERS

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 4

Side 1:

With right sides still together, FOLD the corner to align the side seam in the center.

When centered, it will measure approximately 1 3/4″ to each side of the seam, along the seam where the bag bottom meets the 18″ squares for the side of the bag. (figure 4)

PIN in place and sew to create a box corner.

CUT off the corner, 1/2″ from the stitch line.

REPEAT on the other side.

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 5

SIDE 2:

With right sides still together, FOLD the corner to align the side seam in the center using the same measurements as you did for side 1.

DRAW a line and stitch the box corner. (figure 5)

CUT off the corner, 1/2″ from the stitch line.

REPEAT on the other side.

CHECK your box corners by turning right side out. (figures 6 & 7)

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 6
FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 7

CREATE THE STRAPS

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 8

CLIP OR PIN two 4″ x 30″ fabrics, one of each fabric, right sides together.

SEW along two long sides and one short side using a ¼” seam allowance.

CLIP the corners and TURN right side out.

PRESS.

TOPSTITCH around the three sewn sides, 1/8” from edge. (figure 8)

Raw edge will be sewn into the bag.

REPEAT with the second strap.


ASSEMBLE THE BAG

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 9

RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, place sides 1 & 2 of the bag inside each other, matching side seams. (figure 9)

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 10
FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 11

PLACE a strap in between the two layers of the bag, raw edges lining up with the raw edges of the bag.

FOLD the strap in half to line up the center of the strap with the side seam of the bag. (figure 10)

FLATTEN the strap, line up the side seams of both layers of the bag and CLIP OR PIN in place. (figure 11)

REPEAT to CLIP OR PIN the other strap in place.

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 12
FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 13

CLIP OR PIN the rest of the raw edges of the bag in place. (figure 12)

SEW around the top of the bag with 3/8″ seam, keeping a 4” opening for turning the bag and stitching back and forth twice over the straps to reinforce. (figure 13)

FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 14
FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 15
FREE TUTORIAL: Reversible Crossbody Hobo Bag
figure 16

TURN right side out.

PRESS all sides and opening. (figure 14)

TOPSTITCH around apron 1/8” from edge. (figure 15)

TIE the straps together to create the desired length. (figure 16)

That’s all there is to it! You can use the bag with either side facing out depending on your mood or outfit.

If you make this and share it – be sure to tag me on social media – I’d love to see!

Tara Reed

P.S. Want to see more projects I’ve shared with this fabric collection? CLICK HERE >