Sewing: Make-up Bag

Make-up bag – new and improved from the travel make-up bag tutorial I did back in December. This one has zipper ends that are professional looking.

I’ve included this tutorial as a link in a couple of other posts, mainly because it’s the best one in which I show you how to make a zipper nice and polished looking. Try it!

Okay…for this project, let us get started.

What You Need

• One Fabric: 2 pieces of fabric cut 11 inches by 14 inches for the outside
• Two Fabric: 2 pieces of fabric cut 11 inches by 14 inches for the inside
• Three Fabric: 2 pieces of fabric cut 3 inches by 4 inches for the zipper ends
• 14 inch zipper
• matching thread
• iron
• ironing board
• machine

Step One

Gather all of your fabric. If you’re working with stripes, be sure they match up.

Step Two

Time for the zipper ends.

Fold back the fabric 1/4-1/2 and inch. Press.

Pin to the end of the zipper about 1 in inward.

Top stitch – I did this twice for reinforcement, mainly because when you’re rushing to get ready in the morning, you’ll just tug away at the makeup bag, right? Better to make it strong.

Clip the extra zipper – this will make it easier to stitch through.

Step Three

Now, time to sandwich the zipper between the inside and outside fabric.

Place the inside fabric right side up. Then, lay down the zipper, right side up, and match the top of the zipper with the top of the lining. Sandwich the zipper by placing the outside fabric, right side down, lining it up with the top of the zipper. The tab you made for the zipper ends, they will stick out. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of those later.

Use your zipper foot and stitch.

Do the same to the other side, and your zipper should look like the photo below.

Step Four

Now, open the zipper, and place the lining right sides together and the outside of the bag, right sides together.

Serge along all the sides and leave 3-4 inches open at the bottom of the lining.

Step Five

Time to clip those ends of the zipper ends. Why? Because they add extra bulk and the zipper corner won’t turn out well if you don’t clip them.

Be careful not to clip the serged edge.

Step Six

Box off all 4 corners before turning the bag right side out.

Pin the opening in the lining together and top stitch using the same colour of thread which will disguise it.

Such a nice zipper end!

The inside looks polished and pink.

The stripes match up well – oh, so well.

And the bag is ready for make-up!

Done.

Happy sewing.