How to Make a Chic Cosmetic Bag to Organize Your Essentials

A custom cosmetic bag is a useful and stylish accessory that keeps all your beauty products neatly in one place. With some basic sewing skills and fun, fabric prints, you can create your own cosmetic bags to match your personal style.

Making your own cosmetic bag is also much more affordable than buying pre-made bags, and allows you to add special design details. Follow this easy step-by-step tutorial to craft a fully-lined cosmetic bag that will store all your daily beauty essentials.

Choose Fun, Bright Fabric

The first step is to head to your local craft store to pick out two coordinating cotton fabrics you love: one for the outer bag and another for the lining. Select vibrant colors and prints that reflect your taste and mood. From floral patterns to polka dots, the options are endless! Gather 1/2 yard of both fabrics, along with coordinating sewing thread.

Cut Fabric to Size

Once home, meticulously measure and mark fabric pieces on the wrong sides before cutting, making sure your measurements are precise:

Outer bag: Cut 1 piece 16" x 12"

Lining: Cut 1 piece 16" x 12"

Also cut two 4" x 12" pieces of each fabric for the sides

Sew the Side Seams

Pin the 4" x 12" outer fabric strips to each 12" edge of the outer bag piece, right sides facing. Sew together using 1⁄2" seam allowance.
Repeat to attach the 4" x 12" lining strips to the lining piece. Press seams open.

Attach the Lining

With right sides facing, align the outer bag and lining pieces, matching the side seams. Pin around the edges. Sew together using 1⁄2" seam allowance, leaving a 5" opening along one side for turning.

Finish the Cosmetic Bag

Trim seam allowances, turn the bag right side out through the opening, and press with an iron to define shape. Topstitch all the way around the top edge for a polished look.

Fill your custom cosmetic bag with your favorite beauty products! The options for fabric patterns and sizes are endless. Make bags for all your needs: for travel, a night out, gym bag and more.