The Best Free Makeup Bag Sewing Pattern 2024

Welcome to our latest sewing adventure! Whether you're a seasoned sewer or just starting, we've got a fun, easy project that's perfect for you and your fabric scraps. Today, we're making a versatile makeup brush carrier that can double as a toiletry bag, pencil case, or whatever you need! Plus, we're offering a free PDF pattern for anyone who signs up for our newsletter. Ready to get started?

Materials Needed

Fabric: Choose any pattern or color that sparks joy, needing only 0.5 meters.
Fusible Fleece (Vlieseline Volume Fleece Fusible H640): This will give your carrier structure.
Ribbon: About 1 meter, for the tie closure.
Tools: A rotary cutter, cutting mat, and your trusty sewing machine.

Step 1: Cut the pattern pieces
First, sign up for our newsletter to download your free printable pattern. Then, using either scissors or a rotary cutter, cut out your pattern pieces. Remember to add an extra 3 cm around the back panel.

This extra fabric is to account for any potential shrinkage that might occur during the quilting process. Cut it in a rectangular shape for now, you will cut the shape of the pattern after quilting the fabric. Cut the lining fabric after the shape of the pattern.

Step 2: Quilt the outer panels

  • Draw vertical lines 2 cm apart across the back panel fabric. This will be your quilting guide
  • Place the fusible fleece on your work surface, adhesive side up.
  • Lay the back panel fabric on top, right side facing you. Carefully align the edges.
  • With an iron set to the fusible fleece's recommended temperature, press the fabric to adhere it to the fleece.
  • If using wadding without adhesive, lay it on top of the fabric panel, pin it in place, and proceed to quilt as instructed, ensuring the layers stay smooth and aligned.

Step 3: Crafting the Pocket

  • Take the fabric you've designated for the pocket. Fold it in half lengthwise, right side out, and sew along the top edge with a 1 cm seam allowance. This creates the top hem of the pocket.
  • Open the folded fabric so the seam you just sewed is in the middle, running horizontally. Press this seam flat with your iron, making it crisp.
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Step 4: Stitch the other side of the bag
Put the second outer panel (the quilted one) right side up on your table. Take the side of the zipper that's not yet attached to anything and lay it down on the second outer panel, so the zipper's right side is touching the panel's right side.

Now, flip everything over so you can see the lining side up. Put the lining panel on top, making sure the right side of the lining is facing down, directly on top of the zipper. Everything should line up: the edges of the outer panel, the zipper, and the lining panel. Pin or clip all the layers together along the top where the zipper is. This keeps everything from moving around when you sew. Sew right along the edge where you pinned, making sure to catch all the layers. After sewing, press the seams flat with an iron. Then, do a topstitch close to the zipper to make it look neat and prevent the fabric from getting caught in the zipper.

Bring the outer fabric sides together and do the same for the lining sides, so the right sides of each are facing each other. Sew across the bottom of the outer fabric and then the lining fabric, but do these separately. Use a straight stitch and keep a 1 cm seam allowance. Finally, gently pull the lining over the outer fabric to turn the bag right side out.

  • Place your second outer panel
  • Align the zipper
  • Pin everything together
  • Sew along the zipper
  • Press and Topstitch
  • Sew the bottom parts
  • Pull the lining over the outer fabric

Step 5: Make the zipper tabs and zipper pull
Fold lengthwise each pattern piece with the right sides together and stitch it using a 1 cm seam allowance Turn them right sides out and give it a press. Add some topstitching to the sides

Step 6: Sew the side seams
Place the prepared zipper tabs to the ends of the bag on the right side aligning the raw edges , right on the middle of the ends. Pin them in place or stitch them down. Stitch the side seams using a 1 - 1.5 cm seam allowance (depending on the zipper used. Trim the seam allowance in half.

Step 7: Finish raw edges of the side seams
Place one lining strip on top of the seam allowance on the inside of the bag and stitchFold the lining strip over the raw edge of the seam allowance, completely enclosing the seam within the lining strip and stitchCut the remaining ends of the strips

Step 8: Stitch the corners
To find the corners, flatten the holes so that the side seam aligns with the bottom seam. This will create a triangular shape with the seam lines forming one side of the triangle.Pin or clip through both layers of fabricStitch all four corners .Trim half of the seam allowance. Turn the bag right side out and check if all your corners are looking good

Step 9: Finish raw edges of the corners seams
Place one lining strip on top of the seam allowance on the inside of the bag and stitchFold the strip over and fold the ends and holding them down roll edge of the strip one in and next on top of the seam allowance and stitchRepeat the process for all four cornersThread the zipper pull to the zipper key and make a knot.Stitch the inside corners Done!