How to Make a Cosmetic Bag from a Placemat

Transforming an ordinary placemat into a handy cosmetic bag is an easy and budget-friendly DIY project. With just a few basic supplies and some simple sewing skills, you can create a custom bag to store your toiletries in style.

 

Gather Your Materials

First, you'll need to collect the following supplies:

Placemat - Choose a fabric placemat with a fun print or color that matches your style. The size should be approximately 15 x 18 inches.

Coordinating fabric - Purchase 1⁄2 yard of coordinating cotton fabric to line the bag interior.

Thread - Select all-purpose thread that matches or contrasts nicely.

Sewing supplies - You'll need basic sewing tools like scissors, straight pins, measuring tape, etc.

 

Prepare the Placemat

Take your placemat and trim off any fringe or finishing details along the edges. You want clean edges so the fabric can be sewn together easily.

Also, cut a piece of the coordinating lining fabric to about 16 x 19 inches. Set that aside for later.

 

Sew the Side Seams

With right sides together, fold the placemat in half matching up the short ends. Pin along this 9 inch side and then sew the edges together with a 1⁄2 inch seam allowance.

Do the same thing along the opposite 9 inch side so you end up with a tube shape. The seam allowances will be on the inside.

 

Box the Corners

To shape the bottom of the cosmetic bag, you'll need to "box the corners" of your fabric tube. With the seams aligned flat, match the side seam to the bottom seam corner. Measure and mark a point 2 inches from the corner. Sew across this mark.

Trim off excess beyond the corner stitching. Repeat on remaining corner.

 

Attach the Lining

Now take that coordinating lining fabric from earlier and place it right sides together with the outer bag inside the sewn tube. Make sure all raw edges match up. Pin well and then stitch around the top perimeter with a 1⁄2 inch seam allowance.

 

Finish the Top Edge

For a polished look, finish the top edge with binding or bias tape to encase the lining/outer bag seam. Topstitch all the way around for a nice detail.

Or, simply turn the lining/outer bag combo right side out through the opening and press with an iron to create a clean folded edge seam.

 

Add Closures or Straps

Your cosmetic bag is almost complete! For easy access, you can add Velcro strips, magnetic snaps, or a zipper along the top closure. Or keep it simple and just pinch the top edges together.

For easy carrying, attach a wrist strap, handles or an adjustable crossbody strap. Get creative with the possibilities!

There you have it - a customized cosmetic bag made from a simple placemat in just a few easy sewing steps. Enjoy storing your toiletries in style with this DIY project!