How to Make a Slouchy Hobo Bag

Mary Kate Olsen carried a small, slouchy hobo-style bag to the 2009 "Hangover" premiere.

The hobo bag, named in reference to the crescent-bottomed, stuffed satchels that drifters once hung from sticks, nicely rounds out an eclectic wardrobe. This persistently fashionable purse style isn't limited to use by modern-day bohemians, however. For example, in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall," title character Annie schleps around an overstuffed, yet chic beige-striped hobo bag. Annie's tailored, masculine style was playfully juxtaposed by the softer, more feminine bag. Annie's bag was more structured than the slouchier styles popularized in recent years by starlets such as the Olsen twins. Strategically knot large swathes of fabric to create a slouchy style hobo bag.

Things You'll Need

• Square fabric section with finished edges, about 3- to 4-feet square

Instructions

No-sew, Knotty Style Hobo Bag

1. Place the fabric piece across a large, flat workspace. The underside, or "wrong side" of your fabric piece, if it has one, should face towards you.

2. Grasp a corner and run your other hand towards the center of the fabric. Stop once you're about two-thirds from the center. Pull the corner towards this point and tie a small, tight knot here, leaving a sizable tail. Repeat this process with the remaining three corners.

3. Tie the bottom two knotted sections together, just above each section's knot. Pull the knot taut, allowing the new knot to pull gathered fabric across the first two knots. Repeat the process with the remaining two knotted corners. You've now created the bag shape, and have four loose ends.

4. Wrap one loose end around the other, and tuck the tail into the loop you've created. Repeat the process with the other two loose ends. Tie the remaining two loose ends together in a tight knot to complete your DIY hobo bag.

On-the-go Slouchy Hobo Bag

1. Spread your fabric across a flat space, printed side down. Place items you'd like to carry in the center of the fabric. This is a single use, on-the-go bag that you create around the items you need to carry.

2. Grasp two opposing corners and wrap them over each other in a loose tie. Use the same process you'd use to tie them together in a knot, without tying them a second time to create a secure knot. Instead, continue pulling the two loosely tied corners away from the center, towards the two free corners.

3. Allow the corners you pulled to overlap the free corners, and then grasp each end of the two overlapping corners in your hands. Pull all corners together and tie in a secure knot at the top of your newly constructed hobo bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Use large square scarves, vintage tablecloths and other square fabric objects for this project.

• Adjust the size of your hobo bag by reducing or increasing the fabric size.

References

• "The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own;"; Nina Garcia; 2010
• "The Wrapping Scarf Revolution: The Earth-Friendly Idea that Will Change..."; Patricia Lee; 2009
• ThreadBanger; "Build a Slouchy Spring Bag"; Carlin Catra Cwik; March 11, 2009 http://www.threadbanger.com/post/11572/build-a-slouchy-spring-bag