How to Make a Cosmetics Bag

There are a lot of basic cosmetics bag tutorials that you can find but I thought this was really cute and wanted to share it with you. I found it on Sewing Times on YouTube and thought it was just too cute. It is a fun little project that I would characterize as more of an intermediate sewing project or for a strong beginner. If you would like a more basic cosmetics bag check out this project.

I chose basic cotton fabrics that I purchased at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores for my project but you could head to Amazon Fabrics or onlinefabricstore.net to get exactly what yo need for your cosmetics bag. This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you will Need: How to Make a Cosmetics bag

• 1/4 yd outer and lining fabric
• 1/8 yd flap fabric
• 12″ of 2″ bias binding
• 1 Magnetic Snap
• 1/4 yd Pellon 987F

Step 1: Cut your Fabrics

• Outer fabric: 8 1/8″ x 11 1/8″ and 5 3/4″ x 7″
• Lining: 8 1/8″ x 11 1/8″ and 5 3/4″ x 7″ and 4 3/8″ x 3 5/8″
• Flap Fabric: 4 3/8″ x 3 5/8″ and 1 5/8″ x 5 5/8″
• Interfacing: 7 3/8″ x 10 3/8″, 2 pieces 4 3/8″ x 3 1/4″ and 1 piece 5″ x 6 1/4″

Step 2: Cut the Large Interfacing Piece

Measure down 4″ from the top on the long edge of the large piece of Pellon 897F and make a mark. From that mark measure down 2 1/4″ and make another mark. Draw a line toward the center that measures 1 1/4″ from each mark. Join the two lines to make a box. Repeat on the other side. Cut out the boxes.

Step 3: Fuse the Fleece

Place the interfacing you just cut onto the large outer piece in the center. Place the outer piece on top of the large lining piece. Cut out the boxes leaving a 3/8′ seam allowance.

Step 4: Create the Flap

Take the two small interfacing pieces and round the corners. Fuse the interfacing pieces to the flap fabric and the corresponding lining fabric with the rounded bottom raw edges matching. Trim off the excess so that the fabric has rounded corners as well.

Step 5: Add the Magnetic Snap

On the lining part of the flap piece find the center and measure up from the rounded bottom 3/4″. Insert 1/2 of the magnetic snap. On the large outer piece find the center of one short end. Measure down 1 3/4″ and insert the other half of the magnetic snap.

Step 6: Add the Bias Binding

Place the outer and lining flap pieces wrong sides together. Stitch using a 1/8″ seam allowance. Starting at one end on the outer flap fabric place the binding with raw edges matching and pin until you reach the other side. You will need quite a few pins on the rounded corners. Stitch slowly using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Trim off the excess ends. Double fold the binding and either hand stitch or carefully stitch by machine. You can use pre-made bias binding or make your own following my bias binding tutorial.

Step 7: Create the Handle

Take the 1 5/8″ x 5 5/8″ flap fabric piece and fold the long edges to the center and press. Fold in half lengthwise to enfold the raw edges and press again. Stitch along both sides of the handle.

Step 8: Add the Handle

Find the center of the main outer piece opposite the magnetic snap and make a mark. Measure 1 1/8′ on either side of the mark and place the outer part of the handle. Stitch the handle to the outer piece using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

Step 9: Add the Flap

Place the flap lining side up on the end of the main outer fabric on top of the handles matching the centers. Stitch.

Step 10: Create the Inner Pocket

Take the final piece of interfacing and fold it in half widthwise. Measure in 3/8″ from each end and make a mark. Draw a line from the 3/8″ mar diagonally to the corner of each side. Cut along the line. Fuse the interfacing to the last remaining outer fabric piece. Place the outer piece on top of the last remaining inning piece and cut the fabrics into the shape of the interfacing leaving a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Place the pieces right sides together and stitch both short ends using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Turn right sides out and topstitch along both seams. Fold in half and stitch the sides.

Step 11: Stitch the Main Bag

Place the main outer bag and lining right sides together. Stitch on both short ends using a 3/8″ seam allowance but leaving an opening on the end with the flap for turning. Place the bag so that the outer sides are right sides together and the lining sides are right sides together.

Step 12: Add the Inner Pocket

Reach inside and place the pocket so that one edge is matching the closest raw edge on the lining side. Make sure that the open of the pocket is facing the center. Stitch all the way down that side using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Reach in the other side and pull the pocket over and clip it to the other side. Stitch all the way along that side. You will notice that the fabric is a bit crinkled because the pocket is smaller than the bag. This is correct.

Step 13: Box the Corners

you will notice that there are openings in the corners. Place the side and the bottom of each corner together creating a straight line. Stitch using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Do this for all four corners.

Step 14: Turn Right Sides Out

Turn the bag right sides out through the opening you left in the lining. Topstitch all the way around the top to close the opening and secure the lining.

Step 15: Stitch the Corners

Clip the top corners. Stitch the corners diagonally about 1″ to give the cosmetics bag its shape. Fill it and close the top and you have finished your cosmetics bag.

I hope you enjoyed this cosmetics bag project. If you would like more sewing and crafting projects subscribe to my newsletter and receive your free eBook of 15 handbag patterns and tutorials taken from the blog.

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