Oberlin Expansions PDF

Expansions add features to existing patterns, allowing you to customize and enhance your projects.

🪧 HOW IT WORKS: When using an expansion, you'll follow both the main pattern and expansion instructions in parallel. Helpful signposts will guide you, indicating when to transition between instruction sets.

✂️ SKILL LEVEL: Adding this expansion increases the complexity of making the Oberlin Tote, as it more steps to the sequence of construction and more advanced techniques

🧩 EXPANSION PATTERN: The accompanying Oberlin Tote Expansions PDF (available as an add-on) includes instructions and video tutorials for both the zipper and lining additions

💡BEGINNER TIP: For those new to bag making, we recommend making the Oberlin Tote as-is first, then trying it with expansions

📝 NOTE: To use this expansion, you'll need both the main Oberlin Tote pattern & the Expansion PDF.

Yes, you can totally make this bag on a regular home sewing machine! No heavy-duty or industrial machine required. For best results, we highly recommend working on a machine that has been well-maintained and using a new, sharp needle. Denim needles or nonstick needles (if working with waxed canvas) are our favorite!

The Oberlin Tote is a Confident Beginner-level bag making project. The finished bag may look hella professional, but don't let that intimidate you! Even if you're newish to sewing bags, you'll do great. Be sure you have all of the correct tools on hand, and we also highly recommend signing up for the Oberlin online class, as Ellie's video instructions are super helpful for visual learners and anyone who could use an extra post of confidence.

These are the tools and sewing supplies we recommend having on hand for the optimal Oberlin-making experience.

Sewing Supplies:

• Size 100 denim needle or nonstick needle (our favorites for sewing heavy-duty fabric & waxed canvas)
• Craft clips (for securing multiple layers of waxed canvas)
• 5" x 20" Quilting ruler
• Hammer + hard surface (for setting rivets)

Tools:

The Oberlin Tote has double-cap rivets, which can be set with just a regular hammer. Optionally, you can use a double-cap rivet setter and a (non-rubber!) mallet on a hard surface, such as a slab of stone, metal anvil, or concrete floor. To make holes in fabric you’ll need a 3/32” drive punch, which is used with a mallet on a punching board. Or you can use a tapered tailor's awl to make holes in your fabric.

You can get these tools combined in The Drive Punch Toolkit for a discounted price!

Download the Oberlin Tote FULL TOOLS + SUPPLIES LIST

The zipper closure and lining expansions are an awesome way to level up your Oberlin Tote. The zipper keeps your stuff secure, while the lining adds structure and a fun pop of color or print to the inside of your bag.

The Oberlin Tote is confident beginner pattern with a lot of features and skill-building already, so it's a great project on its own. But if you're ready for more of a challenge, the expansions are a perfect way to up your game.

The expansions do mean juggling two sets of instructions and tackling more advanced techniques, like installing a zipper. But with the included video-guided instructions, you've got what you need to make a tote that's 100% you.

The Oberlin Tote without expansions is a beginner-level project estimated at 4-6 hours. When you add either of the expansions onto your bag, it increases the making time by 1-3 hours each expansion. Having said that, every maker has their own pace and process. We recommend adding the online class for extra support and to ensure a seamless (no pun intended 😉) making experience.