What you need to sew a cosmetic bag
A cosmetic bag is a small zippered pouch made from two layers of fabric with a zipper sewn into the top. You need two pieces of outer fabric (the visible part), two pieces of lining fabric (the inside), one zipper, thread that matches your fabric, and basic sewing tools. The whole project takes about an hour once you have the materials cut.
Most cosmetic bags are rectangular and roughly 8 inches wide by 5 inches tall, though you can make yours larger or smaller. The zipper should be at least as long as the width of your bag — a 9-inch zipper works well for an 8-inch-wide bag. Cotton fabric works best for beginners because it does not slip around as much as slippery materials like satin or velvet.
You will also need a sewing machine, scissors, pins, a ruler or measuring tape, and a pencil or fabric marker to draw your cutting lines. If you have never sewn before, start with a straightforward rectangular bag in a solid-colored cotton fabric — patterns and stripes can be harder to line up neatly.
Key Takeaways
- Cut four rectangles of fabric (two outer, two lining) to the same size, then pin and sew the outer pieces together on three sides, leaving the top open for the zipper.
- Attach the zipper to the top edges of the outer fabric pieces using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, which holds the fabric close to the zipper teeth.
- Sew the lining pieces together on three sides the same way you did the outer fabric, but leave a 2-inch opening on the bottom for turning the bag right-side out.
- Insert the outer bag inside the lining, sew around the top to join them, then pull the bag through the opening in the lining and stitch the opening closed by hand.
- Press the finished bag with an iron to flatten the seams and make the edges crisp.
Cutting and preparing your fabric pieces
Measure and mark two rectangles on your outer fabric and two on your lining fabric. For a standard cosmetic bag, make each rectangle 9 inches wide and 6 inches tall. Use a ruler and a pencil or fabric marker to draw straight lines, then cut carefully along those lines with sharp scissors. Uneven cuts will show in your finished seams, so take your time here.
Before you start sewing, lay out all four pieces in front of you and check that the two outer pieces match each other and the two lining pieces match each other. If one piece is noticeably smaller, trim the others to match. Press all four pieces with an iron on a low heat setting to remove wrinkles — wrinkled fabric is harder to sew straight.
Sewing the outer fabric and attaching the zipper
Place your two outer fabric pieces with the right sides facing each other (the pretty sides touching). Pin along the bottom and both side edges, leaving the top edge unpinned. Sew a straight line about half an inch from the edge along all three pinned sides, using a medium stitch length. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam to lock the thread. Trim the thread ends and remove the pins.
Turn this outer bag right-side out so the pretty fabric faces outward. Press the seams flat with an iron. Now you need to attach the zipper to the top opening. Place the zipper face-down along the top edge of one side of the bag, with the zipper pull facing into the bag. Pin the zipper tape (the fabric edge of the zipper) to the fabric edge. Attach a zipper foot to your sewing machine — this is a special presser foot that lets you sew very close to the zipper teeth without hitting them.
Sew along the pinned edge, staying as close to the zipper teeth as your machine allows. Remove the pins and flip the bag over. Pin the other side of the zipper to the other top edge of the bag, again with the zipper face-down. Sew this side the same way. When you are done, the zipper should run along the entire top opening of the bag, with fabric on both sides.
Sewing the lining and creating the inner pocket
Place your two lining pieces with the right sides facing each other, just as you did with the outer fabric. Pin along the bottom and both sides, but this time leave a 2-inch opening on the bottom edge unpinned — you will use this opening later to turn the bag right-side out. Sew a straight line about half an inch from the edge along all the pinned sections, backstitching at the start and end. Do not sew across the 2-inch opening.
Press the seams flat but do not turn this lining bag right-side out yet. Leave it inside-out for now. This lining will become the inner layer of your finished bag.
Joining the outer bag and lining together
Slide the outer bag (which is already right-side out with the zipper attached) inside the lining bag (which is still inside-out). The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other. The zipper will be sandwiched between the two layers. Pin around the top edge where the outer fabric meets the lining fabric, all the way around. Sew a straight line about half an inch from the edge, going all the way around the top.
Now reach through the 2-inch opening you left in the lining and grab the outer bag. Pull it through the opening, turning the whole thing right-side out. The lining will now be on the inside and the outer fabric on the outside, with the zipper running along the top. Press the top edge with an iron to make it crisp and flat.
Closing the opening and finishing the bag
You still have a 2-inch opening in the lining at the bottom of the bag. Fold the raw edges of this opening inward about half an inch and pin them closed. Thread a needle with thread that matches your lining fabric. Use a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch) to close the opening by hand. Bring the needle up through one folded edge, across to the other folded edge, and back through, creating a seam that is hidden inside the lining. Make small stitches about a quarter-inch apart.
Once the opening is closed, press the entire bag with an iron on a low heat setting. Pay special attention to the top edge and the seams on the sides. This pressing step flattens everything and makes your bag look finished and professional.
Troubleshooting common sewing mistakes
If your zipper is crooked or puckered, you likely pinned it unevenly or sewed too fast. The zipper foot helps, but you still need to go slowly and check that the fabric is feeding straight under the needle. If the zipper does not open and close smoothly after you attach it, the fabric may be caught in the zipper teeth — gently work the slider back and forth to free it, or carefully trim any fabric that is caught.
If the seams on the sides of your bag are not straight, your fabric may have shifted while you were sewing. Pin more densely next time, pinning every inch or so instead of every few inches. If one side of your bag is noticeably smaller than the other, you may have sewn with a seam allowance that was too wide on one side — measure from your cut edge to your sewn line and adjust for the next bag.
If the lining is visible from the outside, you did not sew the outer bag and lining together tightly enough at the top. This is usually not a problem if the opening is small, but you can prevent it by pinning very carefully around the top edge before sewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a cosmetic bag without a zipper?
Yes. Instead of a zipper, you can sew the top edges of the outer fabric and lining together, then add a snap, button, or magnetic closure. Some people make straightforward pouches with drawstring closures using cord threaded through a casing at the top. These are faster to make but do not close as securely as a zipper.
What if my zipper is longer than the top of my bag?
Trim the zipper to the correct length before you attach it. Measure the width of your bag, add one inch, and cut the zipper to that length. Seal the cut ends with a small amount of clear nail polish or fabric glue to prevent the zipper from unraveling. Let it dry completely before sewing.
Do I have to use a zipper foot?
A zipper foot makes sewing close to the zipper teeth much easier and safer, but you can sew a zipper with a regular presser foot if you go very slowly and carefully. You will not be able to get as close to the teeth, so the zipper may feel a bit loose in the seam. A zipper foot costs five to ten dollars and fits most machines.
Can I make the bag bigger or smaller?
Yes. Measure the width and height you want, add one inch to each measurement for seam allowances, and cut your fabric to those dimensions. Make sure your zipper is at least as long as the width of your bag. Larger bags take a bit longer to sew but use the same steps.
What should I do if my thread keeps breaking?
Thread breaks when the tension on your machine is too tight or when you are using old or low-quality thread. Check your machine's manual for how to adjust tension, and try a fresh spool of thread. Make sure the thread is wound correctly on the spool and that the presser foot is up when you thread the needle — the presser foot must be up to open the tension discs.