Round Bag Fundamentals + Calculator + Pattern + Tips

This video covers all the basics of sewing round bottoms into bags, including how to calculate our basic measurements and how to sew it together.
Download the calculator (excel) and pattern (pdf) that I describe in the video at this link: jellyfishreport...
See my other video on how to sew drawstring channels (4 ways): • DIY Stuff Sack Drawstr...
I hope everyone has great fun and success sewing round bottoms into your bags.
Happy sewing!

[@davefranklin9372]

I am relatively new to sewing, having bought myself a machine to make bags and cases for my outdoor gear. Your tutorial contains the most informative and easy to follow instructions that I have found for this type of bag and the downloadable spreadsheet is excellent and very generous of you to share. Have saved this one to my favourites and subscribed :)

[@Mandy-vj9mp]

Thank you for this great video, I followed your instructions to make a bucket bag to put my duvet in when I go camping, it worked perfectly.

[@vickicosson4164]

Thanks so much for providing the calculations, been struggling to figure this out for days! Can I add: it took several readings to get a better understanding on " L" being the length of the SIDE of the bag, or the WIDTH. NOT the length of the actual bag. Perhaps just my interpretation, but very grateful for calculator, thankyou

[@kimberlymartin9521]

What a life saver this calculator is. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

[@MrWhitmire]

How generous of you to share your expertise and clear instruction so thoroughly. Greatly appreciated.

[@LeighAnnDaugherty]

Thank you so much! As a designer, i am not savvy with Math....this is sooooo helpful!

[@carmensaify]

This video answered ALL my questions!!! So glad i found it. Thank you for posting all this useful information.

[@livewellbehappy6113]

Thank you so much for this video if I hadn't found this I would still be struggling with my round purse project. I followed your diagram and instructions and the base and side went together perfectly, very satisfying, thanks again.

[@adventures42day]

This is great. Thank you for all your videos. Your tips and tricks have solved many of the frustrations I've had working with these outdoor specialty fabrics.

[@AlaskaCraftyGalVictoria]

Great information! I’m new to sewing and this helps A LOT! I appreciate you taking the time to make this video 🤗❤️

[@IndianaWoodsman]

Beautifully done. Especially for us diy guys for all our camp gear. Many thanks. Indiana Woodsman

[@jc4food]

This video is detailed and informative, well-presented as well as addresses a common need amongst sewists, so I checked your video list, liked it and subbed.

[@arlindaseverywhere5559]

Beautiful bag. And thanks for the professional and simple instructions. It was very helpful.

[@lolajoe985]

You are a godsend!!! Thank you so much for this helpful video and template. This makes me not want to give up on circles!

[@butterballjitsucampcraft7394]

Now I know how to sew my bags the right way. The first time I sowed the circle and then the side. I reckon it came out the same way but yours looked better. Thanks for showing me the right way.

[@jellyfish450]

Good luck. There is nothing wrong with doing the side last. That is a good idea.

[@diannetucker943]

Thank you for your generosity in sharing all of this. It's so helpful.

[@aerialartist4497]

I found this in 2022. Thanks for video and the the work you put in.

[@adamjohnson5307]

I can not thank you enough for this video. I’ve been trying to crack this code for a year. I kid you not. I’ve been just cutting out various size circles hoping to god they work 😅😂

[@mjdrean]

Thanks so much for all this information. You're so kind to share your brain with us.

[@eaglesquack]

Jellyfish, thank-you for publishing this video. I am just an amateur thread thrower, but I was able to use your technique to fashion a 30" diameter cover for my new SoloStove Yukon firepit. It's not a professional specimen, but it will get the job done. Cheers!

[@jellyfish450]

David Alvarez this is great!!! Congrats!

[@eaglesquack]

photos.app.goo.gl/Evf9G2A9SKbTB4w98 Here's my final project

[@bethperrine6431]

Just found this! It’s exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!!

[@dgp8940]

I greatly appreciated this video. I really struggled understanding written patterns and love how you explained it all and gave reasoning. Also, I'm picking up that magnetic guide immediately!

[@fredandcj8681]

thank you for the demo, spreadsheet and templates. They were a big help to me.

[@leahgillis7670]

I can't get the template. Do you still have it or can tell me how to get it? Thanks.

[@kathymintexas1556]

Thank you for such great instruction. I've made a couple of bags now and they turned out great . I intend to make more (always referring to your video for a refresher). Blessings to you!

[@michelelynn531]

Thanks for all your hard work figuring out the math! Greater tutorial

[@missbiscuit21]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Very detailed and nicely explained. Thanks so much for the calculator!

[@karlgoeshiking388]

Great video! This helped me sow my first round bag.

[@elizabethdibble5159]

Great video and accompanying downloadable documents. Thank you so much.

[@wiseowls117]

Thank you so much for this video. Your instructions are clear and concise. You have saved me from hours of trial and error. :-)

[@katelynnbay]

YOU ARE AWESOME! Thank you very much for all the information you provided us in this video!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@markyanagisawa1723]

Thank you! This is awesome and has provide the background and insight for sewing a nice cap! Thank you!!!

[@jellyfish450]

Good luck!!

[@juliebutler8653]

Brilliant video, very easy to follow, thank you. Julie

[@Smuddpie]

Great! Love all the tips for the tricky sewing bits and the pattern. Thank you!

[@uzmaagha4203]

Excellent tutorial...much needed❤

[@lilcwa]

Simply splendid. :) This video is beautifully thorough and very much appreciated. Respect and regards, Chris AKA kitsapcowboy

[@jellyfish450]

Thank you, Chris!

[@bryandailey4174]

Thank you so much - sewing like to pro thanks to your tutorial. Hope you are doing well - I see you have done a video in a while.

[@chrishanson7420]

You are briliant! I recently struggled through making some round bottom bags. I wish I had this before then.

[@jeffreyniles6575]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@Ethan_michael_]

Great detail and very informative thank you much

[@maryraab9066]

Thank you very much! This is a very helpful video! :) Just one suggestion: Cut little clips along the seam allowance edge of the body section. The circle will be even smoother.

[@brendaw6319]

Great. video. WOULD YOU PLEASE DO ONE SHOWING HOW TO HAVE AND PUT IN A LINING ??.

[@newbiecrafter]

thank you

[@on_it]

SOOO HELPFULLL! THANK YOUU!!

[@fernie5128]

You are wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

[@iainwoodhead4440]

you are an angel

[@franciscapaz6391]

Thanks for this, is perfect ! regards

[@lynette.]

I hand baste the circle in after pinning it makes machine sewing so much easier

[@tkwjr1809]

Incredibly helpful!

[@Sall1B]

Thank you so much, this is a great video, as I have been trying to understand what diameter to make a circle for some time and my sizes have been a bit hit and miss up to now. Unfortunately however I can't download the templates from your blog - I get a request access message from Google when I try to open the pages.

[@stoneblue1795]

I struggle with the calculations to get duffel style bags to come out with any consistency, thank you kindly for the video and the downloadables.... !

[@irmtrautpfabe901]

great tip thanks for sharing.

[@idroolt6999]

You should try making a dry bag. I know I'd like to make my own 56 or 65L for my pack because they're rather expensive for good ones. Just a thought if you're looking for new projects like this. :)

[@zalehaamin]

Thank you for valuable info.

[@_trzn_]

Great video! I've been trying to find a strategy for making a "round bottom" - drawstring back pack as my current one is approaching retirement. Thx.

[@emalyn20]

Thanks for the tutorial! I'm having trouble sewing the circle part. My measurements are correct, tried putting the body and it fits my circle. But when I sew it, I'm getting crunches on the circle part. 😭😭😭 Today is the second time I tried and failed again... I'm sleep and try again tomorrow.

[@barbarastruhs3733]

Please accept my request to access both calculation and small bag pattern. You are SO smart!

[@ozogelin]

Is this also applies for oval shaped bottoms?

[@MadebyaBEAutifulqueenBea]

you are super smart! lol I would have just keep on cutting until my circle is covered. lol💙🐝💙

[@BlueRidgeMarine]

Nice demonstration, Thumbing-Up

[@schnikelhikes1493]

So helpful! Thx

[@azsamsasho]

Gold video

[@natalieb3415]

Great tutorial, Thank you so much for posting it. How do I download the excel sheet from the link ? When I clinked on the link, it has denied me permission. Telling me to request permission. I have requested it, however, not received any info. Please help.

[@gayatritadlimbekar8099]

Thanks nice tutorial.it helps me lot. Can u suggest same for square bottom please.

[@wendygordon1888]

Can anyone please tell what kind of rules apply to an oval shape for applying a straight piece to an oval shape?? Are they the same. And what rule applies if you are wanting to put a gusset type piece onto a u shape or half circle?? Any answers out there??

[@belindabrooks8725]

The download doesn't work anymore. Needs yr permission.

[@buttonuk]

Hi and thanks very much for this tutorial. If I already have a bag and I want to work out the circle size, how do I use the calculator (in metric)? Thanks, Sandi

[@kiraleswei5934]

Thank you so much!! :-)

[@waterboy8999]

great!

[@lindarana9756]

This tutorial is perfect thank you. But how could I make this into a backpack style bag?

[@danyelle1119]

Does this work for oval bottom bags

[@loriellison7476]

I’m not able to download the pdf. It says I can’t have access for some reason

[@alorr4uz]

what is that material? I've been using tyvek suits from work 😁 for my little backpacking bags. I like all your techniques here. thanks.

[@Tallsup2]

Have you ever tried hand basting the pieces rather than pinning?

[@jellyfish450]

I havent hand-basted a circle, but I have tried using a stapler, and then trimming off some of the seam allowance and cutting away the staples. It was okay.

[@Genesis5efg]

Thank you! I am unable to access the pdf document and excel sheet. Would you be able to allow permissions?

[@nancydesmarais2427]

I can't find the pattern with the circles on it. Help Please!!

[@brendaryder8745]

This is exactly what I have been looking for! But am unable to download the calculator (excel file) or the pattern (pdf file). Keeps telling me I need access. How do I get that access?

[@vb3956]

I’m having same problem

[@leahgillis7670]

Looking for the template. Have tried asking for permission but nothing yet. Thanks.

[@73h73373r357]

You did a flat felled seam along the length of the side of the bag. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to do that. I can get a flat felled seam when the material is not in a loop, but not when it is.

[@lisabland2031]

Jellyfish, I am still getting a pucker at the end of sewing the round bottom. It is about one inch any suggestions. Thank you.

[@jellyfish450]

You are either pulling the circle and stretching it out, or your needle is too close to the edge of the circle. Relax. This is about precision. You need to be completely relaxed to do it.

[@donnaprice9468]

Where can I find downloads?

[@susansobon]

What is the fabric?

[@P43L1j0]

i have a lot of problems making my drum bags just in this part...it's so dificult to a guy who never have made this before...omg...it's hard. xD

[@adevore1971]

I've made lined drum bags with a padded bottom to protect the skin of the drum.. wish I had help like this but they turned out awesome anyway :) I forgot about those!

[@ananicolaas4558]

the "formula" is based on .5 seam allowance making it 1" altogether. what if you use 1/4 seam allowance?? Is the formula the same ??

[@jellyfish450]

The formula is the same. Just cut down what you are adding in for your seam allowance

[@ananicolaas4558]

@@jellyfish450 Thanks for the quick reply, I had another question : when you get the number in decimals how will you know the fractions part? ? still puzzled about that

[@jellyfish450]

@@ananicolaas4558 .5 is 1/2, .25 is 1/4, here is a fractions to decimals conversion table pin.it/4G3Qhin

[@ananicolaas4558]

@@jellyfish450 THANK YOU for this, sorry for the late reply :-(

[@5adamjb]

How did you sew down the flat felled seam on the side?

[@jellyfish450]

5adamjb just roll the seam allowance over and sew it down.

[@levoldunom]

your clips have faces?

[@katieirish5765]

Ok, I don't know what's happening, but I have tried making a bag 5 times and every time the bottom does not fit the side. I have measured and remeasured checked and rechecked, but it doesn't match. I'm about to pull my hair out!

[@jellyfish450]

Katie Irish what is happening? Do you have a big pucker on the bag or a pucker on the side? What is your seam allowance?

[@katieirish5765]

I wanted a 7' bag 13 inches in height. So I cut and 8" circle and a 14 x 23 inch side panel. I sewed 1/2' seam in the side and when I went to put the circle on it seamed too big.

[@katieirish5765]

After I sewed the side seam I measured again. From seam it was 11" or 22" all around. SO should the 8" circle fit on that?

[@jellyfish450]

Katie Irish which is too big? The circle or the side of the bag?

[@katieirish5765]

The circle

[@simofish]

What's the width of the material? I only see length

[@jellyfish450]

Any width you want. It depends on how deep you want your bag.

[@xrayextra]

I hate to say it but your math is off. The circumference (length of the side of the bag) is pi times total diameter. Total diameter includes the seam allowance, or (D+2S) x π. So where you have (D x π) + (S x 2) it should be (D x π) + (S x 2 x π) or simply (D+2S) x π.

[@xrayextra]

Oh wait, never mind. Yours is correct. I'm forgetting that the seam will go up the side of the bag LOL. I'm about ready to build one of these so hope I don't screw it up LOL!

[@jellyfish450]

Good luck with your bag!

[@SkoorbTak]

Incredibly useful! Thanks so much for the spreadsheet. I’ve been so frustrated with circles, and this is exactly what I had been looking for.

[@markoneil839]

Great video showing all of your expert experience, the excel spread sheet and template sends you over the top in my book. I just need more practice and this will help with my lack of patients too, lol

[@waterboy8999]

great!