How to Make a Cosmetics Bag

All seams are sewn straight on a cosmetics bag -- no curves needed.

Cosmetic bags can be purchased in most department and drugstores, but they aren't always exactly what you're looking for in terms of color, size and shape. Sewing your own or one as a gift for a friend takes about an hour for someone with basic sewing machine skills. Fabric stores have thousands of patterns of fabric to choose from, or you can use fabric you already have.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 yard fabric
• Detergent
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Velcro sticky dots

Instructions

1. Wash the fabric in the washing machine on a gentle setting with a small amount of detergent to remove any starch in the fabric. Avoid using fabric softener in the wash cycle or dryer sheets in the dryer.

2. Dry the fabric in the clothes dryer for 10 to 15 minutes; it should feel slightly moist. The iron will dry the material perfectly.

3. Iron the fabric, removing all traces of wrinkles. Fold the fabric vertically so the patterned face of the cloth is together. Iron that fold once you have it squared. The fabric will be 1/4 yard by 1 yard, square at all corners.

4. Sew along one of the short sides (making a 1/2-inch seam) and along the long side, leaving one short side open. Trim the stray threads.

5. Pull the fabric from the inside out so the patterned side is now showing and square it again. Iron the seams. Now you have what looks like a deep bag. Fold the unsewn opening down to make a flap of about half an inch. Trim the threads and press with the iron.

6. Lay the fabric down so the flap you just made is to the right. Fold that side over a bit more than three-quarters of the way. Press the fold on the right.

7. Sew together the two facing open sides of the fabric. Turn it inside out so the seams are inside. Now you have a envelope-type bag. Fold the remaining flap of fabric down over the pocket. Press the fold.

8. Use the sticky Velcro dots to make closures, if desired, to connect the underside of the flap to the fabric beneath. These have a sticky back that pulls off the Velcro for placement with no need for stitching.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to make this bag a bit sturdier, you can place a piece of cardboard (you'll have to experiment to get the size right) at step five after you turn the fabric so that the pattern is on the outside.

• You can also find other closures in craft stores, like buttons and snaps.