Roll-Top Stuff Sack Pattern Generator

DIY Roll-Top Storage Bag or Dry Bag

Pattern Generator

Make your own custom-sized roll-top gear storage without the complicated math or 3D modelling. Per the illustration above, set the desired finished 3D storage sack dimensions and the generator calculates exact 2D pattern panels. Don't waste expensive fabric with guess work... especially if this is your first MYOG project!

stuff sack pattern

Construction seam allowance is included: based on units selected.

  • Body Panel Length:
  • Body Panel Height:
Finished roll-top collar measures 4.5 inches (12 cm) tall allowing for 3/4" (20mm) webbing to be rolled four times. Adjust collar height by simply adding or subtracting to Body Panel Height.

Assembly Instructions

Generate panel dimensions above to populate measurements

Materials

See our Fabrics Guide for technical fabrics, recommendations, and trusted vendors.
Medium-weight fabric such as HyperD 300 or 200d Ripstop Nylon work great for water resistant gear storage.

  • This project only uses one fabric panel: Body panel.
  • One long piece of 3/4" (20mm) webbing.
  • One side release buckle compatible with the webbing.
  • One 4 inch (10 cm) piece of narrow webbing or ribbon.

Body Panel

Body panel markings
  1. Measure and cut one fabric Body Panel. Length: and Height: .
  2. On wrong side of fabric, mark the midpoint of the panel along the bottom edge.
  3. Parallel the top edge, mark the hem line from left to right side.

In the illustrations, the fabric's wrong side is light blue.

Roll-Top Collar

Roll-top collar prep
  1. Along the top edge, double fold a 3/4" (2cm) hem to the wrong side of the fabric. Edge stitch the hem.
  2. On the right side of Body Panel fabric, mark the midpoint of the hem.
  3. Center align webbing on top of hem. Clip in place at midpoint.
  4. Arrange buckle hardware and fold under webbing. Clip in place.
  5. Tip: Double check your hardware orientation is right side out (RSO)!
  6. Ensure the length of webbing from folded end to folded end is slightly longer than .
  7. Edge stitch webbing along hem. Parallel stitch lines along top and bottom edges of webbing suffice.
  8. Reinforce buckle hardware with bar tack or box stitch. Repeat opposite side.

Body Seams

Stitch side and bottom
  1. Fold the Body Panel in half, right sides out (RSO), aligning left and right edges.
  2. Stitch the Body Panel sides together for a french seam. RSO, sew with 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance.
  3. Flip the bag right sides together (RST) and complete the french seam. RST, sew using a 3/8" (1cm) seam allowance.
  4. Tip: If you machine struggles to sew thru two double fold hems, trim away some of the inner most fabric within the hem.
  5. Flip the bag right side out (RSO) and center align the side seam to the bottom notch.
  6. Stitch the Body Panel bottom together for a french seam. RSO, sew with a 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance.
  7. Flip right sides together (RST) and center align a small loop of webbing, sandwiched inside Body Panel. Clip in place.
  8. Complete the french seam. RST, sew using a 3/8" (1cm) seam allowance.
  9. Reinforce the webbing loop with a few back stitches.

Squaring the Bottom

Sew squared corners
  1. Blow a little air into the stuff sack and press the sides in to form sharp 90 degree corners.
  2. With the bottom seam finger pressed flat and straight, draw a mark from the left side:
    • 1/2 Bottom Width =
    • Bottom Length =
    • 1/2 Bottom Width should remain.
  3. At first mark, draw a line (Bottom Width) perpendicular and centered on bottom seam.
  4. Repeat same on vertical line at other mark.
  5. The bottom should look like the image ->
  6. Stitch along the vertical lines forming the rectangular bottom.
  7. Before trimming off the corners, flip right side out (RSO) to check for overall symmetry and desired size.
  8. Trim the corners off about 3/8" (1 cm) from the seam. If your fabric frays, overcast or edge bind the raw edges.

Finishing Up

two roll-top bags
  1. Flip the roll-top sack right side out (RSO).
  2. Roll the top edge down three or four times using the webbing as a guide. Secure the quick release buckle.

👏 Congrats on making your own custom roll-top storage sack!

If you want to try another style, check out the Round Bottom Stuff Sack!