A method and apparatus for making bag-type packages from strip web material in which a lead end portion of strip web material is formed around a forward end portion of a mandrel and the sleeve is advanced with the mandrel during at least a portion of the forward stroke of the mandrel. A sleeve opening device on the lead end of the mandrel is extended through the end of the sleeve to open the sleeve and the mandrel is retracted and transversely sealed and severed at a location inwardly of its open end to form a bag. A turret is provided for gripping the open end of the bag at a bag loading station and transferring the bag with its open end up sequentially to a bag filling station and to a top closing and sealing station.