Another day and another crafty make on Aimsy’s Antics. In this post, I will show you how to make your own make-up bag with boxed corners and decorative top zip.

So, if you have read my blog before, you know that there have been a plethora of sewing projects popping up onto the blog. This includes a DIY Sleep Mask and DIY Scrunchies to name a few.
Today I bring you another easy sewing project and one that is perfect for starting out on your sewing journey. How to make a make-up bag with boxed corners to be precise.

Ad| Gifted – Love Crafts

To help with the making of this make-up bag with boxed corners, I was approached by Love Crafts to see if I needed any sewing supplies to help with my sewing projects. I was therefore kindly gifted the material used during this project.
Love crafts are an online haberdashery, catering for all of your crafting needs, from crocheting, knitting to sewing. I opted to select a fat quarter bundle “Lazy Days Collection” by Tilda Fabrics, which are the perfect size for smaller projects like this make-up bag. If you are new to sewing or want to create smaller projects, then I would suggest using fat quarter bundles for these. They are perfect for smaller samples of material, experimenting with your sewing skills and getting creative.

To help you with your sewing and creative journey, Love Crafts has also kindly given you guys a gift too! You can stock up on your sewing or crafty supplies and get a cheeky 20% discount as they have given me a discount code to share with you. Just type in AIMSYANTICS20 to get 20% off all orders over £10. Now, there are some conditions with this; you need to be logged into the site when applying the code. Also, the code is not valid for downloadable PDFs, Value Packs, Sale items and e-gift cards. You also have to be quick as the code is only live between 24th May 2020 until 24th June 2020. So, if you do want to take advantage of this cheeky discount, make sure you get your orders in sooner rather than later!

How to Make a Make-Up Bag with Boxed Corners:

This make-up bag is fairly easy to make, as most of the stitches are straight stitches, so perfect for a beginner sewing project. The more complex part will be adding in the decorative zip and possibly assembling the boxed corners. Now, boxed corners are perfect for adding that bit of depth and definition to the bag. It allows the makeup bag to stand up on its own and gives the make-up bag just that little edge of professionalism. It definitely gives it a more shop-bought vibe, rather than handmade. Essentially what you want all of your sewing projects to look like.

Now, I would regard myself as a fairly experienced sewer, but I did have a few mishaps throughout this project; as well as in other projects. So, I just wanted to say, if you are new to sewing, don’t be put off if you make mistakes. Sewing isn’t easy initially and some parts are complex, but as you gain more experience the difficult parts become easier. Even experienced sewers make mistakes, so keep going on your sewing journey!

In this project, there is also a decorative top zip. This has to be sewn onto the project slightly differently than you would a regular zip. I was a bit of a wally when buying the zip (and at times sewing the bag), which you will see in my video version of this post (below). I bought the zips too long for the bag. So, before I get onto the sewing tutorial, I will show you how to shorten a zip, if you encounter the same.

How to shorten a Zip:

Ideally, when making anything that involves a zip, you want this to be measuring the same length of the project. If using a sewing pattern, they usually state what size zip you need. Word of advice, don’t be like me, double-check when you are purchasing your zips!
The zip i bought measures at 40cms, and for the project you ideally need a zip between 20cm-25cms. So, to reduce the length of the zip you will need a measuring tape or ruler, tailor’s chalk/fabric marker, sharp scissors and a needle and thread.

Start by measuring from the start of the zip (metal zip part) down to where you need the zip end to be. For this project, I measured down from the top of the zip to 20cms. Use your fabric chalk or marker and mark this point. Then, measure how much zip there is from the top of the zip to the start of the metal part of the zip (if that makes sense). Mine measures at 2.5cms. Take this measurement and go from the newly marked end, and measure the same amount to give you the end tail of your zip. Again, mark this and cut at this point with your sharp scissors.

Now, you can do this part on the sewing machine like I do, or use a hand needle and thread. Start at one side of the teeth part of the zip with either matching thread or a contrasting thread and sew a stitch over to the other side of the teeth of the zip. Use the hand-winding mechanism on the machine rather than the foot peddle for more control. Go backwards and forwards with this, approximately 10 times, and you will see the cotton building up. This replicates the metal zip end, and there you have your newly shortened zip!

Make-Up Bag with Boxed Corners – What you need:

Now, onto the actual make-up bag with boxed corners. To make this lovely little make-up bag, you will need the following items:

**Some items in this list are affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small amount of commission should you make a purchase through that link, at no extra cost to you. These will always be marked with (*).**

• Outer fabric – measuring 25cm X 17cm – x2 of these
• Inner/lining fabric – measuring 25cm X 17cm – x2 of these
• Iron-on interfacing – measuring 25cm X 17cm -x2 of these
• Matching thread
• 25 cm Decorative Zip* – these are the zips I purchased but are too long for the project
• Measuring tools – tailors tape or ruler
• Fabric marker
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Zipper foot attachment

How to Make a Make-up Bag with Boxed Corners | The Process:

Before any sewing project, make sure that you wash and dry your material. This will allow for any fraying and shrinkage to the material before the project is made. You also want to iron out any creases that may have formed. This will aid in making sure your measurements are more exact because the material is as flat as it can be.

Step 1 – measure and cut material:

Trim any frayed edges left from washing the material then, measure out the material you need, at 25 cm X 17cm. You need two of each material being used for this. To save on material, and to get the most out of the piece you have, I always fold this over to create two pieces. Then cut down the fold line to separate into two. You should have two pieces for the outer material, inner material, as well as the iron-on interfacing.

Step 2 – Bond interfacing:

Before sewing, you want to bond the iron-on interfacing to the outer material. To do this, place the shiny side of the interfacing onto the wrong (back) side of the chosen outer material. You can feel the glue, so if it isn’t shiny, feel for the different texture.
Use an iron to bond this on, the heat melts the glue and bonds it to the material. Make sure you follow the advice given with your interfacing, as to the temperature and iron settings to be used.

The iron on interfacing gives the material some extra structure and stiffness to make the outer part of the bag.

Step 3 – Connect inner and outer fabric together:

Once the outer pieces are ready, you want to connect the inner and outer material together. This will give the bag a professional look, as you will have an inner lining to the bag.
Place the pieces together, right sides to right sides and pin. Make sure you double-check this, as I had a lapse in concentration and ended up sewing them the wrong way around! Also, make sure that you are lining the edges up as close together as you can. This will make sure that the bag stays more or less the same size when sewing it together.

Sew a straight stitch to create the seam on the sewing machine. This should be around a finger width or 1-2cms. Backstitch at the start and end of the seam to give the seam some more stability. Repeat with the remaining two pieces of fabric. Then you should have the two sides of the make-up bag ready to go.

Step 4 – Press

Before adding in the zip, the two newly sewn pieces need to be pressed. This will allow you to add in the zip easier, and keep the fabric laying flat. Open the seam, and press down the middle of this to flatten. Then, turn the material right side round at the seam. You will have the outer material on one side and the inner on the other side. Use the iron again to press this flat along that seam. Repeat on the other side of the bag.

Step 5 – Add on the Zip:

Take one half of the bag that has just been pressed. Place the zip at the seam edge of the material, making sure the teeth part to the zip is as close to the edge of this material. Pin into place and test that the zip is working. You want the zip to be as close to the edge of the material, but you don’t want this catching in the zip. That will potentially damage the zip and cause you some frustration when using!

Head to the sewing machine and change the sewing foot to the zipper foot attachment. This will allow you to get the needle closer to the zip edge when sewing. Usually, you will get this in your sewing machine accessories when you purchase a machine.

Now, you can either use cotton that matches the zip or contrasting cotton. Just be mindful that this will show as we are sewing on top of the zip. I kept the same cotton, so my stitching shows. I think it adds to the decorative touch. Begin sewing as close to the zip teeth edge, removing the pins as you go. Make sure that you are capturing the material in this as well, as the zip won’t attach if not. When coming to the bulky part of the zip, place the needle down and lift up the sewing foot. Then, open the zip slightly, place the foot down and continue sewing. When there is enough distance, repeat this process but re-close the zip.

Repeat with the opposite side of the zip to the remaining material. The make-up bag is taking shape and will be now joined together in the middle by the zip. Also, re-test the zip is working and make any adjustments as necessary.

Step 6 – Sew the make-up bag together:

Now, it is time to sew the make-up bag together. Open the zip either fully or halfway. You want to make sure that this remains open now until the project is complete. If not, you will have a lot of difficulty in turning the bag right side out.

Place the inner material together, right side to right side, repeating the same for the outer material. You also want to make sure that the two sides of the sip where the side seam is are together as well. Keep the zip seams facing the same way towards the outer material. Leave a gap in the bottom edge of the inner material, this part you don’t want to sew, as this is where the bag will be turned right side out.

Sew an even seam around the whole of the make-up bag, backstitching at either side of the gap being left in the inner fabric. The seam wants to be about 1 – 1.5 cms all the way around. Make sure all edges are lining up as close as possible. This should be the case if you have measured and cut accurately.

Cut the corners off, being careful that you don’t snip into the new seam. I went around the whole edge with pinking shears for an added layer of protection against the fabric fraying.

Step 7 – Create the boxed corners:

Now comes the slightly fiddly part. I hope I can explain this well enough for you to follow! My advice throughout this part is to imagine you are opening a crisp packet. Anyone else loves a good bag of crisps?
Go to one of the corners of the newly sewn make-up bag. It doesn’t matter which corner you start with, as this is to be repeated on all four corners. That’s the two of the lining and two of the outer. Then pull the fabric on either side of the corner outwards so that the two seams go into the middle. Does that make sense? It is the same action you would use to open up that tasty bag of crisps. Use your fingers to feel the two seams and make sure that they are lining up. Place a pin to keep it in place.

Then using a ruler or measuring tape, measure across the now pinned corner at 4cms. Mark a line with the fabric marker. You can make the boxed corners deeper, by increasing the size of this by a cm or two.

Head back to the sewing machine, and sew a straight stitch along the marked line. Make sure that you have changed the sewing foot back to the original foot. Keep the corners as flat as possible when sewing over them. If you have measured the corners just right, then these should line up with the seam of the bag.
Repeat for all of the corners.

Step 8 – Turn right side out and close lining:

Once all of your corners are ready, it is time to turn the make-up bag right side out. Reach into the gap left in the lining material, and bring the outer part of the bag out. Push out all of the corners of the outer part of the bag fully before closing up the gap in the lining. It will be more difficult to push the corners out if you have already closed the gap.

When happy with the outer part of the bag, head back over to the sewing machine. Place the seams of the gap left together, this will hopefully already be falling into place. Then, sew a top stitch close to the edge of this, making sure that both sides of the lining gap are together.

Place the lining inside the make-up bag, making sure the corners are pushed into the outer part corners. Then the make-up bag with boxed corners is ready to use!

What do you think of this make-up bag? Have you had any sewing mishaps like me? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Make a Make-up Bag with Boxed Corners | Video:

Check out the video version of this project here. You will see some of the sewing mishaps that happened to me during this project! Don’t forget to like the video if you enjoy it, and subscribe to keep up with my antics over on YouTube!

How to Make a Make-up Bag with Boxed Corners | Pin it!

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