• Home
  • Blog
  • 2020 Finish - A - Long
  • 2019 Finish - A - Long
  • 2018 Finish - A - Long
  • Contact
  • 2017 Finish - A - Long
  • Shop
Marci Girl Designs

Style Stitches Fringed Hobo Bag

9/16/2011

11 Comments

 
Picture
This was the bag that almost wasn't.  It almost seems as if everything in the world kept stopping me from making it, but boy am I glad to have it finished!  This was my August project in the Amy Butler Style Stitches Sew Along, and also my entry into the Sew Sweetness Amy Butler Sew Along.   I missed the deadline for the first one, I barely made it in time for the Sew Sweetness Sew Along, but I'm so glad I at least met one of the deadlines!  This is the Fringed Hobo Bag from Style Stitches by Amy Butler, and was in the "advanced" section of the book.  I will definitely classify it as advanced.
Picture
Picture
When I first started working on this bag, I thought it was going really easy and honestly I couldn't figure out why it was an "advanced" pattern, and then I got to the very last step, and could have pulled my hair out.  The last step is simply to attach the lining to the main body of the bag, and that is simple enough, except for the fact that in several spots the thickness of the interfacing, fabric, lining and everything was so thick it was virtually impossible to sew through.  I broke a size 14 needle, so I jumped to a size 16, which wasn't much better.  Thankfully I had a few "heavy duty" needles on hand, and that needle punched through smooth as could be, which helped a lot.  I still wasn't really pleased with the outcome in these spots, but honestly it was just going to have to do.  I'm not really sure how to fix that issue, maybe it stitches together a little smoother if you use regular quilt weight cotton instead of home dec fabric, but i don't know if I'll make this one again to "try it out."
Picture
Overall, I do love the look of the bag, and it is a good size, I made the smaller version, and I did shorten the length of the handle so that it sits right underneath my arm, instead of hanging down lower.  The interior has two side pockets that I divided in half, so they weren't just large pockets, this way things can be organized a little better inside.  The fringe doesn't go all the way to the top like it is supposed to, but that is my error, I didn't buy enough, so I made it work.  I kind of like it like this, and am so glad I wasn't wrestling that extra bulk in those top seams.  I used two different Echino prints for the exterior, and a simple muslin for the interior.  Overall it wasn't a bad project, and I could have constructed it about 2 days, but halfway through I ran out of interfacing and couldn't find it anywhere locally, ordered it online, waited and then finished the bag.  This added the extra two weeks to this project, that honestly I didn't need to add!
Picture
I think if you have some bag making experience, you won't struggle to put this one together, and honestly all the steps are fairly straight forward with the exception of the last step, which was easy to understand, just difficult to execute.  It does make a stunning bag, and if you are wanting to make a bag that stands out in the crowd, then this is the one for you!
Picture
amybutler-button2
Picture
11 Comments
Robin link
9/16/2011 02:00:36 pm

I love how you used those Echino prints. Truly, a gorgeous bag! And the fringe goes perfectly. I rather like the look of it not going all the way to the top too.

Reply
Lindsay Conner link
9/16/2011 02:30:59 pm

Nice! I bet that was super frustrating to break needles over this bag, but I love how each new project is like a learning process!

Reply
Leanne link
9/16/2011 02:36:38 pm

Your bag is lovely, no one but you will notice any difficult spots. Thank you for sharing all your thoughts on the overall pattern.

Reply
Debbie link
9/16/2011 02:42:21 pm

Wow! That's amazing, Marci! I've only made one Amy Butler pattern (a diaper bag for my daughter) & the final step - same thing - I was literally in tears. It just wouldn't all FIT under the foot! Crazy. Anyway, your bag looks great - good for you!

Reply
Katie B link
9/16/2011 03:03:50 pm

It's a stunning bag. Well with all of the effort, and now you can mark this one off your list!

I was just thinking today that you have been quiet lately, so I'm glad to see your post!

Reply
Eileen link
9/16/2011 03:28:45 pm

I love your bag!! It's stunning! SO beautiful! :)

Reply
Carla V. link
9/17/2011 12:33:43 am

You definitely get Kudos for making this bag. I have the book and that is one bag that will probably be the very last I make. I love the fabrics and the fringe choice you made. It all comes together beautifully. Thanks for the tips :o)

Reply
Bree
9/19/2011 02:02:04 am

Marci, it looks great! I love how yours turned out.

Reply
Katy link
9/19/2011 08:57:04 am

It looks fab, and love the fabric you chose. I have to admit, I skipped that one, because I'm not a bag person and couldn't think of a single person that would use it lol

What I did find with earlier ones was though, to trim back the interfacing to the seam allowance, makes for much less bulky seam joins. I wouldn't do that for the Blossom bag though if I were you (because, of course, I did) as it holds the peltex in place, but if I were to make it again (somewhat unlikely unless I had a spare weekend) I would certainly cut out the corners and half an inch or so in each direction

Reply
Kristy @ HopefulThreads link
9/19/2011 03:55:54 pm

Turned out gorgeous!

Reply
Eleanor link
9/20/2011 08:36:53 am

Your bag is really beautiful. I love your fabrics and the deer in the center of the yoke.

Unfortunately, making it with quilting fabric instead of decorator fabric is not easier because once you add in all that interfacing it is super bulky. Also, if the fringe goes all the way up, you have even more bulk where the handle attaches. Yup, I broke several needles too. :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Marci Girl

    A feisty mom designing, sewing and blogging her way through everyday life!

    Subscribe
    Follow on Bloglovin
    Picture
    Follow on Bloglovin


    Categories

    All
    2017 Finish A Long
    2018 Finish A Long
    2019 Finish A Long
    Bee Sewcial
    Book Reviews
    Clothing
    Everyday Life
    Giveaways
    Handbags
    Handstitched Class
    Inspirational Projects
    Marci Girl Designs
    Projects
    Quilt Along
    Quilting Bees
    Quilts
    Random Thoughts
    Recipes
    Sew Along
    Sewvivor
    Style Stitches
    Swaps
    The Penny Sampler Class
    Tutorials
    Wip Wednesday


    Happily
    Participating In:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture


    Archives

    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    July 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Picture

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.