Round Bag Fundamentals + Calculator + Pattern + Tips

Click here to download my Round Bag Calculator (excel).
Note:  Fractions may not be view-able if using a mobile device.

Click here to download the Small Round Bag Pattern (pdf).
Print in portrait mode, and verify the 1" square on the printed copy is truly 1".

Tips for sewing round bottoms into bags:

• Mark your seam allowance on the circle with a pencil so that you can verify that you aren't deviating off course. 
• Mark the quarters of your bag and the side of your bag, and then check to make sure those marks line up when you are sewing.
• Use a magnetic seam guide, or mark the needle plate of your sewing machine with a piece of tape, to help see the seam allowance when you are sewing.
• When at the sewing machine, place the side of the bag on the bottom (against the feed dogs) with the right side facing up. Place the circle with right-side facing down. 
• When sewing, hold the with your right hand.  Use your left hand to ease the circle so that the edges of both pieces of fabric line up at the seam allowance. Hold the circle at least 1/2” in from the edge to prevent bias stretching.
• Stop sewing with your needle in the down position, lift your foot, and ease the fabric when needed to keep circle stitching smooth and to prevent puckering.   
• You could also use pins to hold the side of your bag to your circle on the quarters or eights.

Round Zipper Bag for Tree Straps

CLICK HERE to download the pattern.  Print in landscape mode, and verify that the 1" square is truly 1".

YOU WILL NEED

· 5 PIECES CUT FROM FABRIC

· PATTERN A: CUT 2 CIRCLES

· PATTERN B: CUT 2 SIDE OF ZIPPER

· PATTERN C: CUT 1 SIDE OF BAG

· 9” ZIPPER (WITH ZIPPER PULL)

· 4 to 6” GROSGRAIN RIBBON

· 2 D-RINGS (OPTIONAL)

INSTRUCTIONS

All SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE 1/2”

· With right sides facing and the edges of the zipper tape and fabric lined up, sew the zipper to both pieces of Pattern B; overcast stitch the raw edge of the fabric to the zipper tape; press open flat and topstitch the fabric to the zipper tape.

· Cut grosgrain into two pieces, fold each piece in half, and baste to ends of zipper so that the loops are facing inward.  (Add D-Rings to grosgrain before basting if desired).

· With right sides together, sew zipper assembly to the narrow edges of both sides of Pattern C; overcast stitch raw edges; then tack down.

· Sew the circle to the side of the bag on each side:: 

Put the loop of the zipper assembly (pattern pieces B and C) on the bottom (against the feed dogs) with the right side facing up.  Place the circle with right-side facing down. 

Tip:  Hold the bottom / straight piece of fabric straight with your right hand. 

Tip:  Use your left hand to ease the circle so that the edges of both pieces of fabric line up.  Hold the circle at least 1/2” in from the edge to prevent bias stretching. 

Tip:  Stop sewing with your needle in the down position, lift your foot, and ease the fabric when needed to keep circle stitching smooth and to prevent puckering.

Tip:  Mark your seam allowance on the circle with a pencil if needed.

· Trim and overcast stitch the raw edge of the circle.  Turn bag right-side out.

Happy sewing!

DIY Stuff Sack Drawstring Channels 4 Ways

Join me as I sew two double-sided stuff sacks, with a different method for finishing the drawstring channel on each side:

1.  Folded Corners
2.  Casings
3.  Knotched Seam
4.  Interrupted Seam

I am sure there are lots more ways to do it.  If you like something different, let me know and I'll check it out.

The fabric that I used was the 1 oz hyper D from Ripstop by the Roll in Spectra Yellow and Moroccan Blue.

DIY Tree Straps using RSBTR 1" Poly 1500 in Spectrum Rainbow

I made this pair of tree straps using Ripstop By the Roll's NEW Outdoor Ink 1" Polyester Webbing 1500 lb in Spectrum Rainbow, that was inspired by !!ME!! and designed by Bynum Grahic Design (kitsapcowboy).

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/outdoorink-polyester-webbing

Other materials:
Gutermann mara 50 Thread
Ballpoint needle Size 16
Dutch's Cinch Bugs http://www.dutchwaregear.com/cinch-bugs.html

Bonus:  I used the extra length of my webbing to make a rainbow collar for my dog, Stuart.