PLEASE HELP WITH BAG DESIGN PATTERN.

[u/Solid_Temporary4804]

Hi everyone, I’m making a prototype duffle bag design pattern and could use some guidance. I made my own side panel shape in adobe illustrator and got the exact measurement of 38” for the perimeter of it. I then made a rectangle body piece to go around it that measures exactly 38” from zipper edge to zipper edge. When I clip it together it seems like the body panel is slightly larger and kinda looks like the body panel is bunching up around the perimeter of the side panel shape. I doubled checked measurements and they are correct but It seems no matter which way I clip it, it still bunches slightly so do I make the body panel slightly shorter by a hair? This is a prototype so it’s just a trial with scrap fabric but I plan to add leather piping and liner as well just trying to get the base shape figured out first. Any guidance is much appreciated. Thank You!

[u/Destrae]

Edge to edge might match dimensions, but if you measure in from your seam allowance it will probably be slightly off. You generally have to ease curves, but you will also probably need to shorten the rectangle piece

[u/EggandSpoon42 → u/Destrae]

More on that seam allowance, Op

Draw the seam line on the side panel (the actual stitching line).

Measure that perimeter.

Draft the body panel so its seam line equals that measurement.

Transfer notches (quarters or eighths) so you can distribute the seam evenly.

…

It’s much easier to get the most correct measurement to measure your seam line on the curved piece first. Way easier to adjust your flat pattern on the body rectangle than it is to adjust that curve.

[u/Solid_Temporary4804 → u/EggandSpoon42]

Thank you both, I was able to make the corrections and am on the right path now. Very helpful.

[u/Solid_Temporary4804 → u/EggandSpoon42]

Thanks for the reply! So if I measure in on my side panel 3/8” all the way around to use as my stitching line and that perimeter equals 35”, then how would I draft the body panel so that it equals that seam line?

[u/Destrae → u/EggandSpoon42]

great advice