Leather Bag Pattern: DIY Hobo Purse Sewing Template (PDF Pattern)

Leather hobo bag sewing pattern for a small–medium everyday bag with a wave seam, V opening and adjustable belt strap.
This is the bag I actually reach now for most days – minimal, a bit sculptural, and just big enough for my essentials.
Also really easy&quick to make.


📺 Before we talk about the bag, here's the tutorial video for it. Check it out if you're not sure about this project :)
https://youtu.be/VPkcAI8-1Mc?si=IDwNi2rCx_00wfzJ


💡 Design details & ways to use it

This hobo is built around three main ideas:
• A wave seam on front and back, so both faces of the bag are interesting and sculptural
• A V-shaped opening with magnets – easy to get into, no zipper drama
• A structured base – the base stays straight while the body folds in, so the bag stands nicely instead of puddling

The adjustable strap with a single belt detail on one side lets you wear it:
• Shorter, tucked under the arm like a small handbag
• Longer, as a relaxed shoulder hobo

You can push it more slouchy (soft leather or suede, firmer base) or more clean (medium leather all over), depending on what you use.

It’s a good project if you:
• Want a small–medium everyday bag instead of another big tote
• Prefer handmade leather bags that still look minimal and grown-up
• Run a small leather business and want a repeatable shape with a unique seam and adjustable strap detail

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🧵 What’s included

You’ll get:
• Printable pattern pieces for A4 and US Letter paper
• A Quick Build Map – the main steps in order, so you see the whole process at a glance
• Simplified written instructions for each stage of the build
• A full video tutorial link (from cutting to final stitching)
https://youtu.be/VPkcAI8-1Mc
• Leather, hardware and tools list with recommended thickness and temper

All pieces are drawn full size for leather work – you cut on the line, no extra seam allowance needed.

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📐 Sizes & print options
• PDF pattern tiled for A4 and US Letter home printers
• Test square included to check scale
• Simple guide for trimming and taping the pages together

Finished bag size:
• Width at base: 27 cm / 10.6”
• Usable height (from base up to the closures): 16 cm / 6.3”
• Depth at base: 11 cm / 4.3”
• Strap drop (adjustable belt strap): 25–38 cm / 9.8–15.0”

It reads as a small–medium everyday hobo – close to the body, not a huge tote.

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🎓 Skill level & making time
• Skill level: Confident beginner to intermediate leatherworker
• You should already be comfortable with:
• Cutting from a template
• Punching stitching holes
• Basic saddle stitching

Approximate making time:
4–6 hours, depending on your tools and experience.

The pattern includes a clear build order and a video tutorial, so you’re not guessing which seam to sew first.

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🧰 Leather & materials

Leather / suede
• Designed for soft to medium-temper bag leathers
• Works well around 1.2–1.8 mm thickness
• Sample shown is made from a soft leather around 1.2 mm – it has some drape but still holds shape on top.
On a simple softness scale from 1 to 5
(1 = very floppy garment suede, 5 = very stiff belt veg-tan)
aim for 2–3 → soft to medium temper.
• Softer leathers and suede → more relaxed, slouchy look
• Slightly firmer leather → cleaner lines, more defined shape

I don’t recommend very stiff, fresh veg-tan (4–5 on that scale) for the body – the base area needs to bend cleanly where it meets the sides.

If you use very soft leather or suede for the body, keep the bottom more structured (firmer leather or a reinforcement layer) so the bag doesn’t collapse completely.

Approximate leather usage
• Around 0.5–0.7 m² (about 6–8 sq ft) of leather is enough for the bag and strap, depending on your hide layout.

Hardware
• 1 × belt buckle, inside width approx. 25 mm / 1”
• 2 × round magnetic snaps, about 20 mm diameter
• Optional: a few rivets if you like reinforcing strap attachment points

Extra tools for this pattern

On top of basic hand-stitching tools, you’ll need:
• 3 mm round punch – smaller hardware holes
• 5 mm round punch – larger hardware / magnet holes

Basic tools (assumed):
• Sharp knife or rotary cutter
• Cutting mat & metal ruler
• Scratch awl or pen for marking
• 5mm Pricking irons or hole punches for stitching holes
• 2 leather needles & waxed thread (0.6–0.8 mm)
• Contact glue / leather adhesive
• Edge beveler & burnishing tools (optional but nice)
• Small mallet / hammer


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📎 Digital product & license
• This is a digital download only – no physical bag, leather or printed pattern will be shipped.
• You may use this pattern to make bags for personal use and small-scale handmade sales.
• You may not resell, share or redistribute the pattern files in any form.