How to Make a Rollup Mat for your Makeup Brushes

This mat is super easy to make, very inexpensive and easy to carry or throw in your bag. It'll keep your makeup brushes and tools tidy and protected. To make this roll up mat for your makeup brushes, please read on....

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• small bamboo mat
• pencil
• black elastic - 1 yd pkg
• makeup brushes

1. 
   Lay in order.

   Gather your materials. Lay your brushes and implements on the top of the inside of the mat in the order you wish them to be positioned. Allow at least 1" border when you lay down your first brush and your last.

2. 
   Weave through.

   Cut a piece of elastic 2x the width of your mat. From under the mat begin weaving in and out around the brushes and implements. Tighten the elastic as you go. Make sure you leave a "tail" at least 2" long at the beginning of your weaving. Continue until you've gone the entire width of the mat.

3. 
   Knot the ends.

   Cut any of the excess elastic so that you are left with 2" on both sides. Flip mat over and tie these pieces in a simple knot so the elastic stays tight and in position.

4. 
   Weave at pencil mark.

   From one edge, roll the mat up. Using your pencil, mark the row on the outside of the bamboo where the roll ends. This is where you will weave in your elastic tie. For the tie, cut another piece of elastic 2x the width of the mat. From the back, weave the tie around the pencil-marked bamboo row. (see pic)

5. 
   Ready to go!

   Roll up your mat and tie the elastic on top. Now you've learned to make a rollup mat for your makeup brushes, so why not make another for a friend? Or make a mat to hold crochet hooks for a family member who crochets? The principles are the same. Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• You could use a bamboo placemat for larger items like knitting needles.
• These make great, inexpensive gifts!
• The mat I'm using is 7" wide. I purchased it for $1.50 at a store that sells Asian cookware.

[bossypants]

on 12/26/2008 A clever and economical idea for storing make up brushes -- and other long handled things (hmmm -- there's an idea to brainstorm!). Thanks for another creative concept!

[cadence]

on 11/16/2008 Great, fun idea!

[Mindee94]

on 11/4/2008 Awesome idea. I love it. Bamboo is so versatile and this would work for so many other similar items. Thanks for the great idea! ~Mindee

[CrystalR]

on 11/4/2008 very cute idea, and it looks great! :] 5/5

[GreenGardenChic]

on 11/4/2008 Cool idea and something I really should do to keep my make-up drawer organized.