Sewing: Boxy Quilted MakeUp Bag

Continuing with my beginner sewing projects series I tried a boxy makeup bag. In this project I conquered my hesitation to sew zippers and made my first sewing pattern. You dont need much for this project. I used a fat quarter of my Libby design as the outer fabric, matching sewing thread, quilting batting, a color coordinating regular zipper (you can always choose an invisible zipper), and a fat quarter of neutral fabric for the inner lining. The sewing pattern for this boxy bag looks like a capital letter I. You can choose to make the sewing pattern yourself like I did or purchase one on sites like Etsy or independent retailers. I opted to make my own so that I could size it exactly to my fat quarters.

If you prefer video tutorials over reading I have the full video of me making this boxy makeup bag in the link below. You are welcome to come along in the video as I make this bag or read along on this blog post.

Cutting Fabric

Once I made the sewing pattern I laid it over my Libby outer fabric and cut around the sewing pattern. Since the bottom and top are slightly deferent sizes to account for the zipper I added to the bottom of the pattern a little notch in the fabric so that you can line them up correctly when it comes time to sew it all together. Once you have cut your two side pieces of your outer fabric you are ready to add the quilted effect. I clipped the cut fabric pieces to the batting and cut roughly around the fabric. You dont need to be precise cutting the batting to the shape of the fabric right now because once you sew your lines down binding the fabric and batting together you can then cut the batting close to the fabric.

Pro Tip: When it comes to quilting you use more thread then you think so keep checking how much is left on your bobbin after every line so you dont run out halfway through quilting a line down your fabric.

Adding a Zipper

Now its time to sew the zipper to each of the top pieces of the outer fabric. I was definitely nerves to attach this zipper. It was the first zipper I ever added to anything. I got very lucky at my local JoAnn store and found a zipper that matched the cornflower blue florals in the Libby design. I was so excited to add this pop of color and it elevated the overall look of the bag.

Grabbing one of your quilted fabric pieces and your zipper. Marking the center of your zipper and using the notches on your quilted fabric, line up your zipper with the middle and the top of your fabric; clip the two together. Making sure the zipper is face down on the front side of your fabric and you can lay the inner fabric on top. Sandwiching the zipper between the two fabrics.

Pro Tip: Have your zipper half unzipped when you start to sew then move it closed when you get closer to the zipper head while sewing that way it stays out of your way and makes it easier to sew.

You will repeat this with your other quilted outer fabric and inner fabric pieces connecting them to the zipper. Once you’re done you should have the outer fabric and inner fabric all connected by the zipper. Use your iron to flatten the seams near the zipper pulling the inner fabric away from the zipper as you iron. To stop any bunching at your zipper sew a line on each side of your zipper on the front of your fabric holding down the outer and inner fabric pieces.

Making the Box

To make the boxy shape your going to start by sewing the inner fabric bottoms together and the outer bottom together. Once that is done pull the outer fabric through the middle of the inner fabric. Flatten it so that your zipper is in the center facing up and line up your side pieces. I decided to add two pull tabs the my boxy makeup bag but this is optional. I just used two one inch pieces of my outer fabric folded in half to make them. Sewing them to the bag with the tab sandwiched between the outside fabric on the open side pieces.

I wanted a clean look to the inside of the make up bag so before I sewed my side pieces together I cut strips of the outer fabric to the exact size of the raw inner seams. I sewed the outer strip with the side pieces together rolling the fabric to cover the raw edge. I repeated that on all the raw edges on the inside. To create the boxy look for this makeup bag flatten your open sides and sew them together. This will give your makeup bag a 3d shape and create the boxy look.

Once everything is sewn together you can pull the bag through the zipper revealing your finished makeup bag. I love the way this boxy makeup bag turned out and I was able to gift it to my niece. In the end Im happy I chose a darker inner fabric since this will be used to hold her makeup. I knew it would get powder and liquid on the inside so a dark fabric would hide that better and keep the inside looking fresh for longer.

Watch Full Video Tutorial Available Here

I would love to see if you make your own boxy makeup bag! If video is your preferred way to learn I have a full Youtube video that takes you along with me as I make this bag. I made it during pockets of time through out my week but you can definitely make this within a day or even an afternoon.