Slow Selvage Patterns

Cosmetic Bag

A cosmetic zipper bag is one of those projects you can never make too many of. Use it to hold makeup, toiletries, sewing supplies, art materials, or all the little things that collect at the bottom of your bag.

This beginner-friendly sewing project is also a great way to use leftover fabric. Once you understand the basic construction, you can easily adjust the measurements to make bags in different sizes.

This version uses a continuous zipper and a simple tube-style construction. Along the way, you’ll practice installing a zipper, topstitching, finishing raw edges, and sewing boxed corners.

Want a copy to keep beside your sewing machine? Download the free printable instructions HERE.

Materials Needed

To make your cosmetic zipper bag, you’ll need:

• Two fabric rectangles or printed pattern pieces

• Continuous zipper tape

• One zipper pull

• Coordinating thread

• Sewing machine

• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter

• Ruler or measuring tape
  

• Pins or sewing clips

• Pinking shears, optional

• Twill tape, rope, or fabric for zipper tabs, optional

• Batting or interfacing for added structure, optional

Quilting cotton, canvas, denim, linen, upholstery remnants, and other medium-weight fabrics all work well. Use what you already have and experiment with different fabric scraps.

Before You Begin

Choose a needle that works with your fabric. A universal needle is suitable for many lightweight and medium-weight fabrics, while denim or heavier materials may require a stronger needle.

If you’re making a larger bag, consider adding batting or interfacing for more stability. You can also quilt several layers together before cutting the pattern pieces.

This bag may be made with a single layer of fabric. Because the interior seams will remain visible, you may want to finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch, pinking shears, or binding.

If you love this denim quilted fabric, make sure to check out our step-by-step tutorial for a VERY easy and accessible quilting hack. 

Once your fabric is cut, your zipper is prepared, and your machine is threaded, you’re ready to begin.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut the fabric

Print and assemble the pattern, then cut two fabric pieces.

If you aren’t using the pattern, cut two matching rectangles. Each rectangle should be at least 2 inches longer than it is wide.

2. Prepare the zipper

Cut the continuous zipper slightly longer than the fabric’s short edge.

I like to trim one end of the zipper tape into a point. This makes it much easier to attach the zipper pull in a later step.

3. Arrange the fabric

Place the two fabric pieces right sides together, matching all the edges.

The right side is the finished side of the fabric that will appear on the outside of your bag, and for the lining, you will want the right side showing when you open the bag.

4. Position the zipper

Insert the zipper between the fabric layers along one short edge on both short sides of your fabric. 

Align the zipper tape with the raw edges of the fabric. The right side of the zipper should face the right side of the outer fabric.

Pin or clip the layers together.

5. Sew the zipper on

Sew along the edge using a zipper foot if you have one.

Open the fabric and turn it right side out. Topstitch beside the zipper, sewing through the fabric and zipper tape.

Topstitching helps the fabric lie flat and prevents it from catching in the zipper.

6. Attach the zipper pull

Slide the zipper pull onto the pointed end of the zipper tape. Work slowly and keep both sides of the zipper even as they enter the pull.

I have found that cutting the tape to a point, makes holding the tape while adjusting the pull much easier. I prefer this method to holding the pull in the prongs of a fork, or using a specific tool to hold it. It will take practice, sometimes it takes me one or two tries and other times I'm questioning my existence and wondering if I'll have to resew a new zipper tape - it has never come to that, thankfully. This is a new skill, you can use a pre-made zipper, you will pin and sew one side at a time, instead of both sides at once. 

Move the zipper pull toward the center of the bag.

7. Sew the ends closed

Open the zipper halfway. Do not skip this step—you’ll need the opening to turn the finished bag right side out.

Turn the project inside out and flatten it. Position the zipper where you want it to sit on the finished bag, in the middle. 

8. Sew the ends closed

Align the raw edges at both open ends, then pin or clip them in place.

Optional: Add twill-tape, rope, or fabric loops at either end of the zipper. Insert the loops between the fabric layers before sewing the ends closed.

8. Mark and cut the corners

At each corner, measure and mark a 1-by-1-inch square.

Carefully cut out all four marked squares. 

10. Box the corners

Open one cut corner and pinch it in the opposite direction. Match the seams and raw edges, then pin or clip the opening flat.

Sew straight across the opening. If the raw edges will remain exposed, finish them with a zigzag stitch.

Repeat this process on the remaining three corners.

Boxing the corners gives the bag depth and creates a flat base.

11. Turn and finish the bag

Turn the bag right side out through the partially open zipper.

Gently push out all four corners. Close the zipper and give the bag a final press if needed.

Your cosmetic zipper bag is finished!

Once you understand the basic construction, there are plenty of ways to customize your bag.

• Use a single layer of fabric for a lightweight, unlined bag.

• Finish exposed interior edges with pinking shears or a zigzag stitch.

• Hand-sew binding over the interior seams for a more professional finish.

• Add twill-tape, rope, ribbon, or fabric loops at the zipper ends.

• Add batting or interfacing when making a larger bag.

• Quilt several layers of scrap fabric together before cutting the pattern.

• Use a standard zipper instead of continuous zipper tape, sewing one side at a time.

• Adjust the rectangle measurements to create different bag sizes and shapes.

Sewing Terms Used in This Tutorial

Boxed corner: A corner sewn across to give a bag depth and a flat base.

Continuous zipper: Zipper tape sold by length, usually without a pull or finished ends.

Raw edge: A cut, unfinished fabric edge that may fray.

Right side: The finished or outward-facing side of the fabric.

Seam: The line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.

Topstitch: Visible stitching sewn near an edge or seam.

Zigzag stitch: A side-to-side stitch used to secure raw edges and reduce fraying.

Zipper pull: The slider used to open and close a zipper.

Zipper tape: The fabric strips attached to the zipper teeth.

Download the Printable Pattern

Ready to start sewing? Download the free Cosmetic Zipper Bag pattern and printable instructions to keep beside your machine.

[Download the Free Pattern and Instructions]

I hope you enjoy making this quick scrap-fabric project! Once you’ve made one, experiment with different fabrics, zipper colors, sizes, and finishing techniques.

If you make a cosmetic zipper bag, share it in the comments or tag Socorro Society on social media. I’d love to see what you create.

Happy Mending!

Lauren