How to Position a Zipper for a Cosmetic Bag

Installing a zipper is key to creating a functional cosmetic bag for storing beauty essentials. Positioning the zipper properly ensures your cosmetics case opens, closes, and contains items with ease. Through step-by-step YouTube tutorials, you can master excellent zipper placement for flawlessly crafted DIY cosmetic bags.

Gather Supplies

You'll need:

Outer fabric cut to pattern pieces

Zipper at least 1" longer than bag opening

Zipper foot for sewing machine

Thread

Pins, scissors, seam ripper

Ensure you have all required materials before you begin.

Align Zipper in Opening

Lay outer bag piece right side up. Measure and mark placement lines for zipper top and bottom ends within the bag opening. The zipper should extend a 1⁄2 inch beyond each end. Use masking tape to secure zipper within the opening, verifying teeth align with raw fabric edges.

Pin or Baste Zipper in Place

To prevent shifting while sewing, hand baste zipper to outer fabric using basting thread and stitches. Or use sewing clips or pins spaced 1-2 inches apart on both long edges, aligning zipper tape raw edge to outer fabric raw edge. Take time to ensure precision alignment.

Attach One Side of Zipper Tape

Attach your zipper foot to the sewing machine. With fabric still right side up, stitch one side of zipper tape to bag outer fabric from top to bottom. Stitch as close to zipper teeth as possible for optimal functionality. Go slowly and remove pins just before the presser foot.

Fold Fabric and Attach Other Zipper Side

Flip entire cosmetic bag piece over to wrong side up. Lay flat, folding remaining loose fabric away from zipper. Feed unstitched zipper tape side into machine and stitch in place, again as close to zipper teeth as possible.

Remove Basting, Trim and Press

Carefully remove any basting stitches or pins. Trim excess zipper length if needed. Press fabric and zipper with an iron-use a press cloth to avoid melting zipper teeth.

And just like that, your zipper is perfectly positioned! Now finish constructing your cosmetic case. Admire your handiwork every time you unzip your custom makeup bag.