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A bundle of both the ENCIRCLE Tote and the ENCIRCLE Pouch digital PDF sewing patterns by In Complete Stitches - at a reduced bundle discount, because with these addictive patterns you know you're going to want to make ALL the matching ENCIRCLES!
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The ENCIRCLE Tote is a modern tote pattern with a circular front and back panel wrapped by a curved gusset. It is a practical bag with a clean, graphic aesthetic and an interesting method of construction making it both beautiful and a seriously enjoyable sew!
There are three sizes, Standard, Large and Oversized (oh, we do love a BIG BAG!) with zipper, strap and pocket options to play with.
Closures? You can choose to make your ENCIRCLE Tote with a main zipper closure and/or a magnetic snap closure, or simply leave it with no closing mechanism for a quick sew and easy access.
Pockets? You can add an external slip pocket to the external circle motif area should you wish. Internally you can choose to add a secure zipped pocket that also creates a slip pocket. You can also add a simple, subdivided slip pocket. The instructions include how and when to add a lanyard strap should you wish to do so.
Straps? The ENCIRCLE is conceived as a big, bigger or biggest tote and works great with long tote shoulder straps. Hands straps can be added to all sizes. The standard size also works as a great crossbody/shoulder bag and a number of strap options are included in these instructions.
Dimensions:
The Standard ENCIRCLE Tote has the following approximate finished dimensions: 39cm (15 1/2”) tall x 40cm (15 3/4") wide at the main opening x 12cm (4 3/4") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 33cm (13").
The Large ENCIRCLE Tote has the following approximate finished dimensions: 44cm (17 1/2”) tall x 45cm (17 3/4") wide at the main opening x 14cm (5 1/2") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 38cm (15").
The Oversized ENCIRCLE Tote has the following approximate finished dimensions: 50cm (19 1/2”) tall x 50cm (19 1/2") wide at the main opening x 16cm (6 1/4") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 38cm (15").
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The ENCIRCLE Pouch is a modern pouch pattern with a circular front and back panel wrapped by a curved gusset. It has a simple drawstring closure and can be provided with slip and/or elasticated pockets both externally and internally. Make yourself a practical set of pouches with a clean, graphic aesthetic and an interesting method of construction. Beautiful and a seriously enjoyable sew!
Sizes? There are four sizes, Mini, Small, Medium & Large, with strap and pocket options to play with. (See Page 5 for dimensional guidance on the sizes.)
Pockets? Externally and internally you can choose to add a Circle Slip Pocket and/or a Circle Elastic Pocket.
Straps? The medium and large sizes can be provided with either a side strap or a pair of hand straps. (The large ENCIRCLE Pouch makes for a lovely, compact project bag!)
The lining and outer bags are made using the same construction method, keeping it simple while at the same time giving you options to play with.
Dimensions:
The Mini ENCIRCLE Pouch has the following approximate finished dimensions: 15cm (6”) tall x 18cm (7") wide at the main opening x 8cm (3") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 12.5cm (5").
The Small ENCIRCLE Pouch has the following approximate finished dimensions: 18cm (7”) tall x 22cm (8 1/2") wide at the main opening x 9cm (3 1/2") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 15cm (6").
The Medium ENCIRCLE Pouch has the following approximate finished dimensions: 21cm (8”) tall x 26cm (10") wide at the main opening x 11cm (4 1/4") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 17.5cm (7").
The Large ENCIRCLE Pouch has the following approximate finished dimensions: 27cm (10 1/2”) tall x 33cm (13") wide at the main opening x 14cm (5 1/2") deep at the base. The circle panel has a finished diameter of 22.5cm (9").
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ENCIRCLE Tote: "Confident Beginner/Intermediate”
The ENCIRCLE Tote construction is straightforward but a little unusual - trust the tutorial and enjoy the process!
The trickiest element in making the ENCIRCLE Tote is handling the curve of the front circle, but the generous size of the circles make them quite easy to sew. Zippers can be a bit daunting but you can make the ENCIRCLE Tote without them should that be a step to far for you.
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ENCIRCLE Pouch: “Confident Beginner”
The ENCIRCLE Pouch construction is straightforward but a little unusual - trust the tutorial and enjoy the process!
The trickiest element in making the ENCIRCLE Pouch is handling the curve of the front and back circles, the mini size being the trickiest to handle. The drawstring closure is a lovely and easy closure technique to learn. The lining and outer bags are made with the same construction, with pocket options that can be used internally and externally.
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As always, my hope is that the comprehensive tutorials will empower any adventurous beginner to tackle both patterns with confidence.
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DIGITAL DOWNLOAD INCLUDES A ZIPPED FILE CONTAINING, FOR BOTH THE ENCIRCLE Tote AND ENCIRCLE Pouch:
- A detailed, extensive, illustrated step-by-step PDF tutorial to guide you in confidently sewing your own ENCIRCLE Pouch and ENCIRCLE Tote
- A tiled print at home A4 PDF pattern file
- A tiled print at home Letter page PDF pattern file
- A0 copyshop pattern file
- A layered PDF projector pattern file
Upon purchase you will be sent a link to the zipped pattern file that lasts for 24 hours after purchase - but don’t worry! Should you need to access your pattern at a later date just click on the original email to be sent a new one. For your own convenience we do advise that you download and save your files securely on your computer upon purchase.
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ENCIRCLE Tote:
OUTER FABRIC:
Mid to heavy weight stable fabrics. Mid to heavy weight canvas, oilskin/waxed canvas, upholstery fabrics, denim, stable mid to heavy weight linen. If reinforced with appropriate interfacing, or quilting, lighter mid-weight fabrics can also be used, such as corduroy, twill, lighter canvases. Quantities of fabric vary depending on size, option and colour blocking choices. The largest size requires up to 120cm (1 1/3 yd) of 110cm/42" wide outer fabric.
LINING:
Mid to light weight stable fabrics. Cotton, quilting cotton, linen, light/mid weight cotton canvas, waterproof canvas. Quantities of fabric vary depending on size, option and colour blocking choices. The large size requires up to 180cm (2 yd) of 110cm/42" wide lining fabric.
The above fabrics are suggested as guidance. You can probably successfully make an ENCIRCLE Tote out of any fabric, so have fun experimenting!
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ENCIRCLE Pouch:
Outer Fabric:
Mid to heavy-weight stable fabrics. Mid to heavy-weight canvas, oilskin/waxed canvas, upholstery fabrics, denim, stable mid to heavy weight linen. For a more relaxed pouch, lighter mid-weight fabrics can also be used, such as corduroy, twill, lighter canvases. Quantities of fabric vary depending on size, option and colour blocking choices. The largest size requires up to 60cm (3/4 yd) of 110cm/42" wide outer fabric.
Lining Fabric:
Mid to light-weight stable fabrics. Cotton, quilting cotton, linen, light/mid-weight cotton canvas, waterproof canvas. Quantities of fabric vary depending on size, option and colour blocking choices. The largest size requires up to 70cm (3/4 yd) of 110cm/42" wide lining fabric.
The above fabrics are suggested as guidance. You can probably successfully make an ENCIRCLE Pouch out of any fabric, so have fun experimenting! A very heavy and stable fabric will be the trickiest to sew with, especially in handling the small curves of the smaller sizes, so if in doubt a lighter fabric will be easier to work with
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ENCIRCLE Tote:
NOTIONS required include (depending on your option choice):
- Up to 3 x Magnetic Snaps: to optionally secure the main opening, the circle slip pocket and the internal zipped pocket.
- Main Zipper: a No.5 closed ended zip in one of the following minimum lengths:
STANDARD: 40cm (16") standard fixed length zipper or 45cm (18") of continuous zipper.
LARGE: 45cm (18") standard fixed length zipper or 50cm (20") of continuous zipper.
OVERSIZED: 50cm (20") standard fixed length zipper or 55cm (22") of continuous zipper.
- Internal Pocket Zipper: a No.3 or No. 5 closed ended zip in one of the following lengths:
Standard: 25cm (10") standard fixed length zipper or 28cm (11") continuous zipper.
Large: 30cm (12") standard fixed length zipper or 33cm (13") continuous zipper.
Oversized: 35cm (14") standard fixed length zipper or 38cm (15") continuous zipper.
- Tote Straps: 150cm (2 x 75cm) (60" (2 x 30")) of cotton webbing.
- Hand Straps: 33cm (13") of cotton webbing.
- Crossbody/Shoulder Straps:
- Detachable & Adjustable Crossbody Strap (Webbing/Leather):
150cm (60") of cotton webbing / leather
1 x Adjustable Slider, to match strap width
2 x D-Rings, to match strap width
2 x Swivel Hooks, to match strap width
Optional: 2 or 4 x Rivets to attach a leather strap
- Fixed Shoulder Strap (Webbing/Leather):
130cm (52") x cotton webbing / leather
2 x Rectangular Rings, to match strap width
Optional: 2 or 4 x Rivets to attach a leather strap
- 12mm (1/2") Swivel Hook: The Lanyard Strap (L) pattern piece is sized to fit a 12mm (1/2") swivel hook. Any sized can be used, but the width of the strap would need to be adjusted to fit.
INTERFACING:
Depending on your fabric choice, the ENCIRCLE Tote can be made with or without overall interfacing of the outer or lining fabrics.
Lots of heavy weight canvas / waxed canvas / denim fabrics may not require interfacing at all. However, many lovely printed canvases come in a mid-weight that may not be quite stable or sturdy enough for use without some additional reinforcement.
The use of localised reinforcement of snap and strap fixing locations is suggested.
Further guidance on interfacing is given in the tutorial.
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ENCIRCLE Pouch:
NOTIONS required include (depending on your option choice):
Drawstring Cord: 2 x lengths of drawstring such as waxed cotton, shoe lace or leather cord in the following lengths: Mini: 2 x 55cm (22") drawstring, Small: 2 x 65cm (26") drawstring, Medium: 2 x 75cm (30") drawstring, Large: 2 x 90cm (36") drawstring
OPTIONAL: Snap Fixing: a 12mm (1/2") anorak type snap fixing to optionally secure an (optional) internal or external Circle Slip Pocket.
OPTIONAL : Elastic: 0.5cm (3/16") - 1cm (3/8") wide elastic to restrain an (optional) internal or external Circle Elastic Pocket in the following lengths: Mini: 2 x 18cm (7") elastic, Small: 2 x 20cm (8") elastic, Medium: 2 x 23cm (9") elastic, Large: 2 x 29cm (12") elastic.
OPTIONAL: Side/Hand Straps: (Medium & Large Sizes) Side Strap: Medium: 1 x 44cm (17 1/2") of 25mm (1") cotton webbing, Large: 1 x 50cm (20]") of 25mm (1") cotton webbing. Hand Straps: Medium: 2 x 40cm (16") of 25mm (1") cotton webbing, Large: 2 x 44cm (17 1/2") of 25mm (1") cotton webbing.
INTERFACING:
Depending on your fabric choice, the ENCIRCLE Pouch can be made with or without overall interfacing of the outer or lining fabrics.
Lots of heavy weight canvas / waxed canvas / denim fabrics may not require interfacing at all. However, many lovely printed canvases come in a mid-weight that may benefit from some additional reinforcement. The use of localised reinforcement of snap locations is suggested. Further guidance on interfacing is given in the tutorial.
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Huge thank you to a wonderful team of testers who provided excellent feedback and inspirational sewing.
All photos by In Complete Stitches with the exception of tester photos shown by:
www.instagram.com/bergmar_handmade/
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“I'm loving the Encircle tote and pouch pattern! I've had it for a week and have made 2 pouches, a mini and a medium. The mini was for a gift bag and the medium I'm using for my sock knitting project. I love them! I made them with very rigid denim because I didn't have the right interfacing and now I'm waiting for my interfacing to arrive so I can make more. I'm especially looking forward to making the tote bag and another knitting project bag but with a handle this time. Don't hesitate to try this pattern, it's fabulous and has so many options! The instructions were great and the discussion on interfacing was perfect for me, a garment maker that doesn't have all the bag making gear and experience.” L. Pletsch Riviera, Feb 2025. Stars: 5/5
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“Patterns are very well made and written, I had fun sewing the pouch. I also greatly enjoyed seeing all the bags and pouches made by the community on IG, very useful and inspiring.” Sandra C, Feb 2025. Stars: 5/5
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“The design is fantastic. I've already made two beautiful bags, but that's not the end.” E. Janeczek, Nov 2025. Stars: 5/5
