owlswakeup: DIY Makeup Bag

This tutorial will show you how to make a cute and easy pouch for your cosmetics! Make one for your purse or as a gift. Let's get started!

What You'll Need:

Sewing machine, matching thread, 7 inch zipper (I'm using a nice chunky one for this project!), cotton lining fabric, sturdy outer fabric, zipper foot, regular foot, seam ripper (hopefully not!), iron, ruler, pins.

I love to use tapestry or upholstery fabrics because not only are they gorgeous but they are strong enough that you don't need to use interfacing to maintain structure.

Cut 2 pieces of your outer fabric at 9 x 6.5 inches, then cut 2 pieces of your lining fabric at the same dimensions, 9 x 6.5. Cut 1 piece of your lining fabric at 6 x 1.5 inches for your zipper tabs. (I like to leave lots of fabric to ensure the tabs don't get sucked into the machine.)

Cut 1.5 x 1.5 inch squares out of the bottom corners of each of your four 9 x 6.5 pieces. This will create the base later on.

Zipper Tabs:

With your iron, press your 6 x 1.5 inch piece of fabric in half lengthwise, open, press edges again towards the crease in the middle. Fold together along the original crease and press again. Cut into two pieces (one for each edge of your zipper). Trim your zipper edges about 0.25 inches so your tab can fit snugly next to your zipper. Using your zipper foot attachment to get your seam as close to the zipper as possible, attach your tabs. Trim edges.

Attaching the Zipper:

Align your zipper face up on your lining fabric, centered along the top edges.

Place your outer fabric on top of the zipper and lining right side to right side. Pin. Sew. Pause in your sewing with the needle in the fabric to secure alignment, lift your foot and move the zipper head out of your way as needed.

Open up your fabrics and place the other two pieces on the other side of the zipper and repeat. Always take the time to make sure the zipper head is well out of the line of fire.

Press open and top stitch down each side to finish your zipper.

Finishing:

Open the zipper. Match up right sides of each of your inner and outer fabric. Pin. Sew one seam straight across both sections with the seam allowances from your zipper always flattened toward the lining. I use the edge of my foot as a guide for my seam allowance. Slightly less than half an inch. Sew the second side.

Sew the base of the outer fabric. Now sew about an inch on each side of the base of your lining fabric from the edge towards the centre. Leave enough space to get your hand or a few fingers through. You'll need this and the zipper open to turn your project right side out in the end but you need the edges secured for the next step.

Pinch the corners together so the 1.5 inch cut edges form a straight edge with your seam centered then sew. Always be sure to backtrack your seams. I like to start these corners with my foot in the center and then go backwards and forwards for secure seams (see below picture for reference).

Make sure you are keeping your seam allowance on the bottom pointing in the same direction (instead of having a twisted bottom) when pinching together the second corner. Do the same thing for the lining corners.

You'll be left with an interesting balloon shape thing.

Now the fun part! Reach in through the opening you left in the base of the lining fabric and very gently pull your pouch right side out. Smooth out the corners.

Press together the opening of your lining. Pin. Sew. Put the lining back into your pouch.