How to Make a Cosmetic Purse
Make your next cosmetic purse to stash your lipstick, mascara and eyeshadow. If you're making a cosmetic purse for someone else, find out what color yarn to use. This cosmetic purse uses a special cord-like yarn, which is very strong. With this kind of yarn, you won't need to line the purse. To make this item, you need to have basic crochet skills and basic sewing skills -- you need to know how to hand sew a zipper to the purse. You should also be able to make a tassel and use a jump ring to attach the tassel to the purse zipper.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 skein lightweight cord-like yarn in any color
- Size G/6 crochet hook or size needed for correct gauge
- 7-inch zipper, same color as yarn
- Sewing thread
- Sewing needle
- Straight pins
- Large-eye tapestry needle
- Pack of playing cards
- Needle-nose pliers
- Jump ring
Instructions
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1
Crochet a foundation chain of 25 chain stitches. Keep the stitches loose so that you can maneuver the hook in and out of each loop.
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2
Work one single crochet, or SC, into each chain stitch to the end of the foundation chain for row 1. You should have 24 SC stitches. Turn the work.
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3
Crochet one chain stitch, then work one SC for row 2. Turn the work.
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4
Repeat row 2 until the fabric measures 4 inches. Fasten off and cut the yarn with the scissors, leaving a 4-inch tail. Repeat for the second side of the cosmetic purse.
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5
Pin the upper edges of each crocheted piece, matching each end. Align one end with the zipper pull and position each side about 1/8 inch away from the zipper teeth. Pin the zipper tape to both pieces of crochet fabric.
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6
Cut a length of thread 36 inches long. Thread the sewing needle with the sewing thread doubled. Make a knot in the end of the thread. Anchor the thread under the zipper fabric where it won't show. Using a backstitch, sew the zipper to the edge of the fabric, getting as close to the edge of the crochet as possible.
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7
Flip the crocheted fabric over so that the underside is showing. Whipstitch the zipper tape to the crochet fabric. As you sew, keep the stitches and thread from showing on the outside of the fabric.
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8
Turn the excess zipper tape at the top edge of the zipper and sew it in place with a bar tack across the lower edge of the zipper; this lower edge should be just beyond the edge of the bag fabric. After the bar tack is sewn in, cut off the excess zipper right below the stitching.
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9
Thread the tapestry needle with extra cord yarn. Put the wrong sides of the cosmetic purse together. Whipstitch through both layers of fabric to sew the sides and bottom of the purse together. Weave in loose yarn ends on the wrong side of the purse.
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10
Wrap the cord yarn around the pack of playing cards, stopping when the wrapped yarn is about 1/4 inch thick all around. Cut another piece of yarn about 8 inches long and thread it through the tapestry needle. Pass the needle along the edge of the pack of cards, under the wraps of yarn. Remove the needle and tie the piece of yarn tightly in a square knot, leaving one end short and the other end long. Cut the yarn loops on the opposite side of the pack of cards. Tuck the short end of yarn inside the tassel. Use the longer end of yarn to wrap around the folded tassel top about 1/4-inch from the top. thread the yarn back onto the tapestry needle and push it through the head of the tassel. This yarn length will tie onto the jump ring.
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11
Open the jump ring with the needle-nose pliers and slide one end into the zipper tab hole. Squeeze the jump ring closed with the pliers. Thread the yarn at the top of the tassel into the jump ring and tie it tight.
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Tips & Warnings
Gauge: 16 SC and 18 rows equals 4 inches using a size G/6 crochet hook.
Backstitch: Push the needle into the zipper tape and crochet fabric from the bottom to the top. Bring the needle back down about 1/8 inch away from the first stitch and push the needle back down. Push the needle back up just in front of the first stitch. Continue backstitching all along the length of both sides of zipper tape and both pieces of crochet fabric.
Whipstitch: After tying a knot in the thread, push the needle up through the top layer of fabric about 1/8 inch from the edge, between the zipper tape and crochet fabric. Push the needle through both layers of fabric so that it comes up in nearly the same spot as the first stitch. Push the needle through the same spot, but angle it so that it comes through the fabric about 1/8 inch away from the first stitch. Push the needle up through the fabric right under the spot where the thread comes up. Angle the needle again so that it comes out 1/8 inch away from the second stitch. Continue to push the needle through both layers of fabric at an angle, creating a new stitch each time.
References
- Photo Credit Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images
