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Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

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Cosmetic Bag Tutorial - super easy!!

My kids recently headed back to school which, among other perks, means I get to go shopping ALONE!!!  Oh, the glorious minutes of slowly wheeling my cart down the aisles at Target, am I right??!  I can now spend ample time in the cosmetics section and during my last trip, I picked out a few new personal products from Target’s up & up line.  Of course, new cosmetic products require a new cosmetic bag, and I’m going to show you a really quick method to sew yourself one today!  Plus, I get to tell you about a few fun products and give away a huge Target GiftCard®, so stick around!

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Let’s start with the super simple cosmetic bag tutorial!  You will need:

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

  • main fabric – 12″ x 16″
  • lining fabric – 12″ x 15.5″
  • two-sided, sewable fusible web such as Heat ‘n’ Bond Lite – 12″ x 16″
  • 14″ zipper
  • small piece of remnant fabric – 7″ x 3″

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 1:  After cutting your fabric pieces to size, follow the package instructions to fuse one side of the fusible web to the wrong side of your main fabric piece.  Peel off paper backing.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 2:  Place lining fabric, wrong side down, onto the fusible web/backside of main fabric.  Center the lining fabric – you should have about 1/4″ excess of the main fabric on each side.  Fold the excess main fabric/webbing over the side of the lining fabric and iron (following package instructions) to fuse the two pieces of fabric together.  Be sure no excess fusible web comes into contact with your iron.  Fuse the two brics across their entire width.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 3:  Open the zipper.  Place the zipper stop approximately 1/2″ from the top edge of your fused rectangle.  The folded edge should lie close to the zipper teeth.  Pin in place if desired (I just held it and sewed).  With a zipper foot on your sewing machine, sew the fabric piece to the first side of the zipper as shown above.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 3:  Wrap the fabric piece around to form a tube and sew the other folded edge to attach it to the other side of the zipper.  You will likely need to have the zipper open to maneuver the project in your sewing machine.  Be sure that the top edge of the both sides align so that the zipper is straight.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 4:  Lay your project flat in front of you as shown above.  Measure to center the zipper exactly.  Pin the project together to hold the zipper centered in place.  Measure 1.5″ along each side from the corresponding corner and make a mark.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 5:  Using your marks as a guide, cut through both layers of fabric to remove a 1.5″ square from each corner.  Set aside for a moment.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 6:  With your 7″ x 3″ fabric remnant, fold and press it in half along its length.  Press each side in to the center crease and refold to form a strip with no raw edges along its length.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 7:  Edgestitch down each side as shown.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 8:  Cut the strip into two pieces – one measuring 2.5″, the other measuring 4.5″ in length.  Fold the longer strip into a loop and pin it to the top layer of your cosmetic bag, centered over the zipper, and at the end opposite the zipper pull (when closed).  Baste in place using a 1/8″ seam allowance.  Be sure you sew the loop only onto the top layer with the zipper.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 9:  Pin the smaller strip in a loop centered over the zipper pull as shown.  (Your loop will be slightly larger than the one shown.)  Baste in place using a 1/8″ seam allowance.  Be sure you sew the loop only onto the top layer with the zipper.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 10:  Almost done…here’s your bag with the tabs basted in place.  Now, turn your bag inside out and trip any excess fabric or zipper.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 11:  Recenter the zipper.  Sew using a 3/8″ seam allowance through both layers of the bag along each of the open ends.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

You can serge to finish the raw edges neatly as they will be visible on the inside of the bag.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Step 12:  Lastly, open up each cut square around the corners and match the raw edges to form a straight line (they will actually be a tiny bit off because of the seam from the previous step, but it works just fine).  Sew to form the boxed of corners.  Serge these seams if you wish.

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial  

Turn the bag right side out through the open zipper and get ready to fill it up!!

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

I wanted to share a few of the up & up products with you that I have been enjoying.  Do you buy products from Target’s up & up line?  I’ve found that Target makes an up & up product for most of the everyday products that I use and the quality is on par with the name brands.  I like to save a little money and still get good quality items; I love that I can depend on the up & up brand for this.  So, a few new products to introduce to you… These cleansing towelettes for sensitive skin are fabulous!  They’re thick  and plush so I can really wipe my makeup off without worrying about them tearing.  They remove waterproof mascara (hooray!!) and are fragrance and oil free.  So far, I haven’t had any skin reactions to using them and I love having them on hand!

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Also, I got my hands on one of these dispenser pumps.  Have you ever used one of these?  I filled it with nail polish remover and it makes life so much easier!!  Seriously love!

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Did you know you can buy nail polish drying spray??  I didn’t – I thought the nail salons had an exclusive supply!  I tried out this up&up nail enamel dryer and it worked really well.  The directions say to wait only 1 minute after painting your nails and then give them a spray.  My nails were dry to the touch when I tested them about 30 seconds after spraying with the dryer.  I would say they still weren’t ready for heavy use, but this product will be so handy, particularly for when I paint the girls’ nails!  The spray has a really refreshing baby powder scent – a nice finish to all the strong chemical smells involved in nail care!

Cosmetic Bag Tutorial

Now that you’re all set with your new cosmetic bag and some fun product recommendations to try out, it’s time to give away a $100 Target GiftCard®.  To be entered to win, just leave a comment below telling me what is your favorite Up & Up product!    

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#OnlyAtTarget” and “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the [email protected] email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/8-10/22.

Be sure to visit the Target up & up brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Comments

  4. Kelley H says

    My favorite Up&Up product is the nail drying spray! That is new to me and I think it’s a huge help when painting nails! I can’t wait to try it!! Thanks for a great giveaway!!

    Reply

  8. Annie says

    I have been using their cleansing towelettes for a while, I like the thickness too! Also I use their disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer.

    Reply

  10. Julie Wood says

    These are my favorite Up & Up products. I love the:
    Up & Up Continuous Mist Spray Sunscreen SPF 50 – 10 oz
    up & up™ Apricot Blemish Scrub – 6 oz.
    up&up Paper Stick Swabs – 1000 Count

    Reply

  14. Dee says

    Up & Up products are great values. Love the dryer fabric softner sheets – work great with much more subtle scent. Can’t ever pass by what I call “grandma’s corner” section as you enter Target. Lots of fun inexpensive things!

    Reply

  15. kristin says

    my favorite up & up product is the exfoliating facial towelettes. but if you’d asked me around school shopping time, i’d say ALL OF THEM. 😉 thanks for the giveaway, stef!

    Reply

  19. TIna says

    I know it is totally lame, but my favorite up&up product are the disinfecting wipes.
    I use them to wipe my kids lunch bags, so I basically use them once a day…
    I prefer the yellow ones with lemon scent.

    Reply

  22. Cheryl says

    One of my favorite up&up products are the lavender bloom scented dryer sheets. I love the fragrance! I also use the paper towels and the Ibuprofen and tissues & more! Cute zip bag-I plan to try it today-my day off;)

    Reply

  23. Kelly Jo says

    I haven’t found an up & up product I don’t like! I like their kids vitamins especially – the same stuff as the name brand, but way cheaper and no artificial dyes or flavors!

    Reply

  29. Rachel says

    I don’t grocery shop at target much, so I don’t currently have a favorite Up and Up product, but I’ve heard great things! Especially about their diapers.

    Reply

  30. Anna G says

    My favorite Up & Up items would have to be their diapers and coated paper plates. Up & Up diapers were the only off brand diapers that any of my littles could wear. Their heavy duty coated paper plates are awesome too and are on my monthly Target rotation list.

    Reply

  32. Meghan Brearley says

    My favorite Up & Up product is the body wash! Better than some of the name brand stuff I’ve used and way cheaper!

    Reply

  35. Terri C says

    I use so many up and up products, but I do like the face cleaning cloths too. I have very sensitive skin and I can use these! Thanks Target!

    Reply

  41. Barbara P. says

    I love Up and Up products and use them often. Love their hand soap, shower soap, and sanitizing wipes. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

    Reply

  42. Kayla says

    I love up and up!! I buy so much its hard to say what my favorite is…I probably buy the most cosmetic cotton rounds! I use them with cleanser to take off my makeup and they don’t fall apart like so many cottan pads!!

    Reply

  43. heather says

    My very favorite Up & Up product is the All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach I love that stuff and use it all of the time in the kitchen and bathrooms.

    Reply

  44. Kenya N. Curry says

    My favorite product(s) would have to be their kitchen/pantry supplies like food storage bags and similar items 🙂

    Reply

  46. jennifer says

    i love so many up and up products, but I’d have to say that the ones that have saved us the most money are DIAPERS! And wipes. Diapers are my favorite.

    Reply

  47. Robin says

    I have not tried any up&up products, but I would like to. I love Target, but the nearest one is about 40 miles from me.

    Reply

  49. the cape on the corner says

    well, i didn’t know that drying spray was a thing. huh. i use the up and up cotton balls and nail polish remover. thanks!
    b

    Reply

  54. Rebekah says

    I use the up & up basics – bleach, tissues, cotton ear swabs, etc. No need to pay more money for basic necessities!

    Reply

  55. Julie says

    Ohhh, love the tutorial!! I was just thinking yesterday that I needed to look for a new cosmetic bag!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

  60. Rachel says

    I am fully committed to their nail drying spray, it’s so great for moms who don’t have a lot of time to let nails dry when doing a home mani!

    Reply

  62. Shannon says

    I love the Up & Up baby wipes! There just as good as name brands and actually they are better than one of the name brands.

    Reply

  63. Vicki Sprain says

    Definitely any type of Up & Up pain reliever-so much cheaper! Thank you for the great tutorial for the cosmetic bag!

    Reply

  66. Amy Parker says

    I’ve been REALLY impressed with their toilet paper! It very soft and much thicker than what I have bought in the past!

    Reply

  82. D Schmidt says

    We use a variety of Up&Up items in our home but my favorite are their freezer bags, trash bags and toilet bowl cleaner!

    Reply

  84. Amber @ rick•a•bam•boo says

    I love Up & Up products. I usually buy toilet paper and paper towels. Plus all of our over the counter meds and vitamins. I have a question about the bag. Is it big enough for make up brushes? I always seem to have bags that my brushes stick out of.

    Reply

  100. Nora N says

    I dont think i have ever used up and up brand….I would love to try the nail polish spray! I always mess mine up before they get a chance to dry. Lol

    Reply

  102. Emily Smith says

    My favorite Up & Up product is their non-acetone nail polish remover. It works great and the smell isn’t as bad as others that I’ve tried.

    Reply

  103. Rene Bolton says

    I use quite a few Up & Up products, but my favorite is the gauze pads. I not only use them for bandage purposes, but also to put between my dishes to avoid scratch marks!! They work great!

    Reply

  106. Loriel says

    My most go-to Up & Up item is definitely the snack-size storage bag. We have 3 children and it is so much more affordable to purchase snacks in bulk and then divide into the pre-measured snack bags. The measurements are perfect for portion control for both adult and kid snacks. For my preschooler I even use them for storing crayons in my purse for use at restaurants or waiting areas. In fact, I even have a supply of bandaids in a baggie which I keep in our stroller pocket for those bicycle crashes which do occur. My daughter uses the snack-size bags for her hair accessories when packing for a trip.

    Thank you for the tutorial! I have 5 neices who would love to have a personal bag for Christmas.

    Reply

  121. Deb Anderson says

    So many favorites, but one I always remember to buy is the water filtration pitcher filters. Up & Up works just as well and priced a lot lower.

    Reply

  122. Anne says

    Is it weird to say that trash bags are my favorite? Honestly, I love Target’s up & up Flex Fit Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags. They’re a good buy, especially when they’re on sale, and they work great. If details matter, then a small detail like a dependable trash bag makes a big difference to me.

    Reply

  141. shelly peterson says

    I haven’t used this brand yet but would like to try the would like to try the up&up Kids’ 3-in-1 Wash.
    cshell090869 at aol dot com

    Reply

  143. Aurelie Red says

    Hi Stef, yeah I use Up&Up products, my fav products are the disinfectant spray and wipes, so useful !
    Thanks for the giveaway 😉

    Reply

  156. angie says

    I have not tried this brand, but would love to try their
    up & up® – 5ct Fine Tip Permanent Marker – Assorted.
    My hubby is addicted to Sharpie and I wonder if these are
    just as good but much cheaper!

    Reply

  167. Laura J says

    Oh I really love their Up & Up Dishwashing soap! I was having so much trouble with other dishwashing soaps leaving a white stuff left on my dishes, this Target brand does not do that! I LOVE IT!

    Reply

  169. Sonya Morris says

    Love the cosmetic bag! You made it look so simple to do that I think I could make one!
    My favorite up & up item is their diapers! They are inexpensive (for diapers anyway) and hold up great on my active little guy.

    Reply

  180. pernos de madera galvanizados says

    I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I’ll try and check back more frequently.

    Reply

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  2. […] a storage solution for your makeup essentials? Try this cosmetic bag tutorial by Girl Inspired. It’s the perfect size for travel or […]

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