Sunday, March 5, 2017

Hippo Hobo

My latest sewing project was the Hippo Hobo bag, from the pattern by Emma Wengier of Emkie Designs. I found it to be a very well-written, easy-to-follow pattern, using actual photos (which I love) instead of computer-drawn diagrams.


The fabric is from Jessica Jones's latest collection of barkcloth, Holding Pattern, for Cloud9 Fabrics. It is scheduled to be released this month!

I used navy pleather for the accent pieces and straps...


... and I got some good practice setting rivets (which I needed!).


Of course with the pleather, there was need for lots of Wonder Clips...



... and without a free-arm on my 46+-year-old Kenmore, I had to do some wrangling...


... but I'm very pleased with how it turned out! Here's the back view with its welt zipper pocket.


I hadn't planned for those flowers to sit on the edge of the pleather like they do, but I'm glad they ended up that way. I'm also happy with how they matched up at the edges (yes, I did plan for that).


The bag opens wide, like a hippo's mouth (thus the name) and it has another zipper pocket inside.


There's also a hidden zipper pocket under the flaps. [All the pockets were finished on the inside as per the instructions in the Roundabout Hobo pattern by Erin (Erickson) Gilbey.]


As requested by Jess, I reduced the pattern size to 90%, because the bag is going to a somewhat petite person. Here's how the size looks on me.


The pattern was straight-forward and easy to follow. The biggest challenge I had was sewing the strap tabs on, partly due to not having a free-arm, and also because my strap was already attached to the D-ring since I didn't use swivel clasp hooks like the pattern recommended. They seemed unnecessary, since who's going to remove the strap and use the bag without it? They were just for looks, basically.

So that's my latest. On to the next project in the queue!

12 comments:

annie dee said...

Lovely lovely lovely. I like the way you pattern matching came out in this one. It really emphasizes the flower print. Nice!

Grandma G said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Annie Dee! 💕

Jessica Jones said...

So nice! Can't wait to see it in person!

Grandma G said...

Thanks, Jess! Won't be too long..... 💕

Geneviève said...

Those strap tabs, they were so hard to make and to fasten on the bag! I ended up going a different (and easier) way because I couldn't get a satisfying result. -_- You have my utmost respect for doing such a fine job, especially with pleather, which is not forgiving at all. Fantastic work!

Grandma G said...

Thanks, Gen! They definitely were the most challenging part of the bag. 😑 Good for you for finding an easier way! 👍

Anonymous said...

As always a magician with the sewing machine! Happy Spring! Or is it still winter? Audrey

Grandma G said...

Thanks, Audrey! Nah, not a magician... just lots and lots of practice! 😉 It's definitely still winter today - ugh! 😜

Misty said...

What a gorgeous bag! You did a lovely job with it! I will be on the lookout for that gorgeous fabric. :)

Grandma G said...

Thank you, La Mañosa! Hopefully you'll find the fabric soon! ❤

Unknown said...

Beautiful bag!! Do you make them to sell? I would LOVE one of these in that same Jessica Jones fabric but in green (olive).. I think it is.
Maybe you have an ETSY shop??
Thanks, Kathy

Grandma G said...

Thank you, Kathy! I'm sorry, but I don't make bags to sell. Maybe you can find something similar on Etsy, or someone who makes custom bags?