How to sew the bottom onto a rolltop bag?

Mike—Have you made a pack before? You know to sew everything together inside out, I assume. :)

I’m working on one now, but mine is only two main pieces: back/bottom and side/front/side (which has fewer seams).

I’d say: sew the sides to the back and front, then sew the bottom, starting at one point and going all the way around to where you started.

This is my first backpack! Yes I know to sew inside out!

I was just looking for some visuals before I start sewing the bottom on.

I hope this quick sketch helps.  By far the easiest way to do a bottom that I’ve found – All straight, long stitches.

Attach the 4 sides to the bottom piece.  Then bring the sides together and sew!  Done.  You can spare yourself a couple of seam lines if you cut the entire thing as one raw piece – but that can minimize fabric yield if supply or cost are issues.

There are many ways to skin this cat.

Here’s a detailed look at one of them: https://backpackinglight.com/make_your_own_gear_five_yards_to_sul_part_4/

Matt – I hadn’t considered that before – good one.

Mike – in my projects, I try to avoid sewing circular seams, which is what you describe, attaching the bottom as the last step.  I find it too easy to end up a little bit off on length, resulting in a small pleat one one side of the seam or the other when I get back around to where I started.