Introducing Project 007—Circular Bags

Our next project is for Circular Bags. We’ll be exploring ways to take the cylinder shape and make a variety of bag styles. Read on for inspiration and the schedule of posts.

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Today, I'm excited to announce Project 007-Circular Bags! For these bags, the base is a circle (or ellipse) and when flattened out, the body is rectangle. From this cylinder shape you can make a bunch of different styles of bags, just by changing the size, proportions, straps and openings.

My plan for this project is to share two main tutorials and then a set of variations. The first tutorial is for a duffle bag with circular sides. Next, I'll show you how to draft a bucket tote bag with an oval bottom, gathered top and one strap.

A BIT OF CIRCLE BAG INSPIRATION

Here are a few images I found for ready-to-wear bucket bags. A lot of them are made in leather which depending on the weight can be very structured like in examples 4 and 7 or be gathered like in examples 1, 5 and 6.

From left to right: (Some links are affiliate links.)

Top Row 1 Marcie Micro Bucket Bag by Chloe 2 Bucket Bag by Levi’s 3 Academy Canvas Duffle Bag by Academy Brand 5 4 Bucket Bag Pistachio from Freja

Bottom Row 5 Madison Leather Bucket Bag from Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. 6 Purple Kodiak Bucket Bag from KMM & Co. 7 Bucket Bag from H&M 8 Aasha Top Yoga Mat Bag from MUNIMUNI

If you're new to sewing or drafting bags, I recommend practicing with existing patterns. I think these are mostly made with canvas or waxed canvas (which I find more approachable than leather when sewing). Above are a few sewing patterns for bags with circular bottoms or sides.

From left to right:

1 I've made the Marjorie Bag by Hey June Patterns twice in the past year. It has a circle bottom with a zipper at the top and one strap that can be worn across the body or over one shoulder.

2 This is the Samphire Duffel Project Bag by Lasenby. I haven’t sewn a pattern by this company before but I like this variation on a duffel.

3 This is the Naito Bucket bag by Klum House patterns. I haven’t made this pattern but I’ve made a couple of backpacks by Klum House. Their patterns are drafted very well and the instructions are great. They only make bag patterns so they are definitely experts!

4 This is the Canvas Duffle Bag by TYTKA Studio on Etsy. I haven’t sewn any of their patterns but they also only do bag patterns and I really like the clean branding.

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Reference posts

To draft this bag we'll be using the circumference formula that we used in our sun hat series. (See above for a refresher.) Plus the casing concept from project 001 for the bucket tote.

Project 002: Drafting with Circles and Curves

Project 001: How to draft an elastic waistband

I’m planning to share this project in 4 parts, listed below. Please let me know in the comments if you have a special request for a variation.

1. Duffle Bag Tutorial Wed. March 12, 2025

2. Bucket Tote Tutorial Wed. March 19, 2025

3. Circular Bag Variations Wed., March 26, 2025

4. Project Journal Wed., April 2, 2025

I hope that you enjoy this series. I’m excited by how many variations are possible just from starting with a cylinder. There are lots of ways to support this free content. You can tap the "heart" at the top or bottom, share or “restack” the post to help other people find it. Become a paid subscriber or, visit one of the links below.

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Happy mathing!

Beth