This is easier if you start with drawing a circle using a large plate (or similar) as a template. I find that drawing circles are the hardest part, but the rectangles can be measured out more easily. I used a saucer to trace around, with a diameter of approx 13cm. (diameter is the distance across the plate, through the middle from edge to edge). So now we have Template 2 (as per the small pouch instructions).

Now we need to do a little bit of maths, it’s ok - I’ll walk you through it step by step.

To work out the length of your rectangle (Template 2) is almost the same as the circumference (this is the outside part of your circle) of Template 2. You can find this out by simply measuring all the way around the circle of Template 1 (a piece of string can make this easier), or by using this formula:

Circumference = Diameter x π (3.14)
C = D x 3.14
C = 13 x 3.14
C = 41cm

The circumference of your circle (which is the base) is approximately the measurement of your main rectangle’s length (minus a tiny bit to account for seam allowances).

ie: if your circle is 41cm, then your rectangle length (for Template 1) would be 39cm.

Then decide how tall you’d like your bag. Consider proportions of the bag, as it can be hard and impractical to reach inside a tall bag. You want the height of the bag to be about 40% x 45% bigger than the diameter of the circle. (The sum of this is 1.4 or 1.45, as 40% = .4, but we want it to be base plus 40%).

Remember that diameter is 13cm
Height of bag : 13 x 1.4 = 18.5

So, from this our rectangle (Template 1) is 18.5 cm x 39cm.

Template 3 (the drawstring channel) is the easiest. The measurements are length of Template 1 (39cm) x 4.5cm.

These measures that we’ve worked on make a bag that is similar(ish) to the larger blue bag that I made and is a good size for carrying a small stitching project.