What is a bag pattern designer?
A tool that creates a sewing pattern from your own measurements and construction choices, instead of giving you a fixed pattern in fixed sizes. You enter the starting size you want, choose how the bag is built, and the pattern pieces are generated around those decisions.
Is Moonshot free?
Yes. The bag designer and the calculators are free to use, and the basic app stays free. Enter your bag dimensions and Moonshot generates the sewing pattern, cut list, and printable files at no cost. There's no account, no download, and nothing to install.
Are the patterns AI-generated?
No. Every piece is calculated from your dimensions using geometry — the same relationships a patternmaker works out by hand on paper. Nothing is produced by a language model and nothing is guessed. If two pieces sew together, their seam lengths match because the math says so.
Do I need to know pattern drafting or CAD?
No. Moonshot assumes you know how to sew a bag, not how to engineer one. You describe the bag in the terms you already use — width, height, depth, gusset, boxed bottom, lining — and the geometry happens behind the scenes.
Is Moonshot for beginners?
Yes. It's designed to be easy, with visuals and info tips throughout — start playing and a bag shape appears. For hands-on construction technique, look for videos from bag-making teachers like Oklaroots, SiahSwag, Simply Classic, Lauren Mormino (More Me Know) and OKSew, who all have construction walk-throughs on YouTube.
Can I make any size bag?
Yes. Custom sizing is the point. You give the finished dimensions you want and the pattern is built around them, rather than scaling an existing drawing up or down — which breaks seam allowances, zipper lengths and hardware placement.
Does Moonshot make the lining too?
Yes. The lining is drafted to fit the exterior you designed, including bags with depth, darts, curves, gussets or shaped bases — so it's part of the pattern rather than something you work out afterward.
Does the pattern include seam allowance?
Yes. You set the seam allowance, and every piece is generated with it. The cut line and the sewline are both drawn, so you can see exactly what you're cutting and where you're stitching.
Can I print the pattern at home?
Yes. Patterns print at full size, tiled across ordinary Letter or A4 pages with alignment marks so the sheets line up. You tape them together and cut.
Can I export SVG files for a cutting machine?
Yes. Moonshot produces two kinds of SVG: a clean cutter-ready file of solid shapes for vinyl and fabric cutters, and a detailed editable file for Illustrator, Inkscape or Affinity Designer.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Moonshot runs in any modern browser, phone included — there's more scrolling on a small screen, but you can design a bag start to finish. A tablet or desktop is more comfortable for longer sessions.
Inches or centimeters?
Both. Switch units at any time and every dimension, cut list and pattern updates.
Can I sell bags I make from Moonshot patterns?
Yes. Bags you sew from patterns you generate are yours to sell. You don't owe anything and you don't need permission.
Can I use Moonshot to alter a pattern I bought?
Moonshot doesn't work from anyone's pattern. It draws pieces from the numbers you type, and nothing is uploaded, stored or shared. If you want to change a purchased pattern, check that designer's license first — it's their call, not mine. I'm a designer myself and a firm believer in honoring designers' work and copyrights. A purchased pattern is far more than its geometry: it comes with instructions, testing, videos and support that took real work to make, and Moonshot isn't a substitute for any of that.
Can I save a design and come back to it?
Your current design is saved in your browser, so it's there when you return on the same device. Saving multiple designs and sharing a design by link is in development.
What kinds of bags can I design?
Totes, purses, handbags, train cases, duffels, slings, dust covers and structured cases, among others — with gussets, boxed bottoms, piping, accordion pockets and lining. The construction options combine, so you're not choosing from a catalog of finished patterns.
Who made this?
Moonshot Bag Designer is built by Abby, a graphic designer of 30+ years and a bag maker, for other bag makers. It's actively developed — new constructions, components and controls are added regularly. Questions and ideas are welcome in the Moonshot Facebook group.
How can I support Moonshot?
Link to it. Moonshot is free and has no ads, so the most useful thing you can do is put moonshotbag.com where other makers will find it — in your Facebook group replies, a forum thread, a blog post, a pattern round-up, or your project notes. Links from real pages are how Google learns a site is worth showing, and every one helps. Sharing a photo of a bag you made with it, tagged so people can find the tool, does the same job. Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi to help keep these features free.