Bath & Beauty — October 24, 2018

DIY Oilcloth Makeup Bags

Bath & Beauty — October 24, 2018

DIY Oilcloth Makeup Bags

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As I mentioned yesterday, I am here in Salt Lake City all week for the Alt Summit and pre-Alt Summit Cricut event. For those of you who have not heard of it, the Alt Summit is a place where lifestyle, DIY, craft, home decor, food and style bloggers gather to meet each other, potential sponsors and learn more about being the best bloggers we can be. This will be my second year as an attendee and I am looking forward to it! At the Cricut event tonight, they announced a new and amazing machine called the Explore. I will be trying it out tomorrow and will give a full report later. From what I have seen so far, this is the smart phone of cutting machines. Exciting!!

For my trip this week, I was in need of some new zipper bags to carry my makeup, brushes and face care. Loving the monogram zipper bags I shared last summer, I wanted to make a larger and elegant version of these to carry all of my new face care items. I love black polka dot oilcloth pattern I found in both white and gold at my local fabric store and made several bags to keep my items organized. You can follow the tutorial below for the step-by-step instructions to make these stylish bags. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post where I will share the tutorial on my matching makeup brush roll. Cheers! ~ Lia

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Discussion

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62 Comments

DvcResale December 6, 2019 at 4:12am

Thanks For Sharing.

Reply
Sheila December 21, 2017 at 5:39am

I saw some posts about people having trouble with the zipper application. When doing bags like this, or any bag for that matter, buy a longer zipper than you need. I bought a 14″ zipper for these and when you unzip the zip to topstitch the second side, you have absolutely zero problems. Thought I would share. Thanks for the great gift ideas…I’m making several. Merry Christmas.

Reply
1. Sheila December 21, 2017 at 5:41am
  
  @Sheila
  
  …one additional note for beginner sewers, after you topstitch both sides , put that zipper pull back toward the center of the bag, closing the zipper entirely. Then cut off the excess zipper from both sides and proceed with the rest of the construction of the bag. 🙂
  
  Reply
2. Lia December 21, 2017 at 9:37am
  
  @Sheila
  
  Thank you for the tip, Sheila!!
  
  Reply
Johanne December 6, 2014 at 4:55am

I know this is an old post, but just wanted to say I loved it, and will be making all my christmas presents by hand this year.
This is by far the easiest make-up bag out there, but with the most polished look.
Though I cannot figure out how to do it with out a seam at the bottom, but I do not mind much.

Reply
1. Lia December 6, 2014 at 9:06am
  
  @Johanne
  
  It is tricky to add the zipper without an extra seam. It depends on your machine and how small your arm on the machine is. This is an oldy but goodie. I use these bags all of the time. 😉
  
  Reply
Caroline April 24, 2014 at 1:41pm

Had a go and made something that doesn’t quite look as professional as yours but considering I am a total beginner I am over the moon!!! Had issues with the zip when I was sewing the second side but will try again following your instructions in the comments. SO happy!!!! Mine is a little wonky and taller and skinnier than yours but I MADE IT!!! So excited! Thanks for a brilliant tutorial!!!

Reply
1. Lia April 25, 2014 at 9:52am
  
  @Caroline
  
  So happy to hear! I LOVE sewing oilcloth!!
  
  Reply
Anna March 13, 2014 at 4:38pm

Surely you must have two pieces of cloth, i.e. a seam along the bottom of the bag or u cannot top stitch the second side of the zip unless the bottom of the bag is open – I puzzled over this all day today and have only just found ur blog. I made these today but couldn’t figure out a way to top stitch and it does look so much nicer..

Reply
1. Lia March 13, 2014 at 8:24pm
  
  @Anna
  
  Hi Anna. I didn’t use two pieces, but removed the arm from my machine to get it through. However, to make it easier, you certainly can have a bottom seam. Brilliant idea.
  
  Reply
Sara January 28, 2014 at 4:51pm

I don’t have a lot of experience with zippers (they quite often frighten me- I’m always messing them up!), so my question is regarding how you fed it through your machine once you got close to the end of the second attaching seam (whether the zipper is open or closed, I’m having a hard time getting it through and past the stoppers). Or maybe I started at the wrong end?…. Any tips or advice would be great! Love this tutorial!

Thanks!

Reply
1. Lia January 28, 2014 at 5:06pm
  
  @Sara
  
  This is the easiest, promise. 🙂 If you start the second side with the zipper completely open and stitch from loose end to closed end, you should find it pretty easy to do without it getting tight around your machine arm. Let me know if this works.
  
  Reply
  1. Sara January 28, 2014 at 5:31pm
    
    @Lia
    
    Thank you! Worked great. I used a metal zipper, so once I got about an inch from the end I had to improvise a little bit as the foot was getting caught up on the zipper. This is such a quick and easy project! I love it, thanks again 🙂
    
    Reply
    1. Lia January 29, 2014 at 12:41pm
      
      @Sara
      
      Wonderful to hear!
      
      Reply
Ffion January 22, 2014 at 4:31pm

Really like this! I’m just starting to sew, and was just wondering if I would be able to do this? Thanks! Xx

Reply
1. Lia January 25, 2014 at 7:35am
  
  @Ffion
  
  I think you can! Oilcloth is fun to work with.
  
  Reply
Leslie January 22, 2014 at 10:14am

Thanks for the pattern! I love polka dots and have always wanted to try oil cloth, and with my make-up loving daughter whose birthday is in May, these will be a great gift!

Reply
1. Lia January 25, 2014 at 7:35am
  
  @Leslie
  
  Perfect for her!
  
  Reply
Kesipyap January 21, 2014 at 11:41pm

Thank you very much for this very usefull tutorial. This a a perfect project for the ones who started to learn sewing like me.

Reply
1. Lia January 22, 2014 at 8:13am
  
  @Kesipyap
  
  It is! Oilcloth is fun to sew too.
  
  Reply
Bonnie January 21, 2014 at 9:54pm

These are beautiful…you are so talented, thanks for sharing!

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 9:56pm
  
  @Bonnie
  
  Thanks Bonnie!
  
  Reply
JaneEllen January 21, 2014 at 8:09pm

Love those bags, very snazzy, up scale looking compared to so many make up or purse bags. You make it look easy but when it comes to zippers, forget it. I don’t even attempt it. My patience doesn’t stretch that far, lol. I’ll wait to see what your roll is like, see if I can attempt that. Hobby Lobby in Grand Junction has oil cloth, have to see what kind of patterns they have. Enjoy your trip.
I saw post on Sunday, blogger attending the CHA show in CA told us about a new die cutting machine by Brother called Cut&Scan. Will be very interested to hear about the machine you were speaking about. There are so many of them now which do you think is best? Happy week

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:03pm
  
  @JaneEllen
  
  Posting the brush roll tomorrow. This is a super easy way to put in a zipper since the actual zipper part is showing. I promise. 🙂 Most fabric stores carry oil cloth now days. I am not sure about Hobby Lobby. My conference roomie was at CHA and looked at that machine. She is saying that this new Cricut Explore is the machine to have. You will be seeing me use and review it in the next few months. So many AMAZING features. It will even cut leather. Woo Hoo!
  
  Reply
Lydia January 21, 2014 at 7:48pm

Very snazzy and so easy I think I can do this!!

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:03pm
  
  @Lydia
  
  Yes! If you have any questions let me know.
  
  Reply
Kathy January 21, 2014 at 7:29pm

Love these bags – the fabric is great! Does your local fabric store happen to be a chain?

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:07pm
  
  @Kathy
  
  No, it is called Fabric Depot. Here is something that looks close to the black and white. https://www.fabric.com/buy/uh-121/oil-cloth-polka-dot-black-grey
  
  Reply
Lisa January 21, 2014 at 6:44pm

And by “local fabric store” do you happen to mean Fabric Depot? LOVE the gold dots!!

Lisa 🙂

P.S.–The Cricut Explore cutting machine sounds amazing! Now to scrounge up $300…

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:09pm
  
  @Lisa
  
  Yes is it Fabric Depot. The gold is my fave. You are going to LOVE the Explore! LOVE.
  
  Reply
  1. Lisa January 21, 2014 at 10:21pm
    
    @Lia
    
    Well, if I get that sponsored post, now I know what I’ll immediately be buying! 🙂 Best money ever spent, I’m guessing.
    
    Reply
    1. Lia January 22, 2014 at 8:12am
      
      @Lisa
      
      The new Cricut Explore! It will save you so much cutting time. It cuts felt too.
      
      Reply
      1. Lisa January 22, 2014 at 8:44am
        
        @Lia
        
        Yes! That’s why I was looking at the Sizzix, so I could do felt and fabric. I heard the Explore can cut files from your computer…does that mean if I download a template, like your bows, would it cut them?
      2. Lia January 22, 2014 at 11:03am
        
        @Lisa
        
        Yes, you can upload your own designs. The user interface is SOOOO easy to learn too. Super intuitive. You will have to come over and play with mine when I get it next week.
      3. Lisa January 22, 2014 at 11:21am
        
        @Lia
        
        That’s the best date offer I’ve had all week! 😉
Phyllis January 21, 2014 at 5:59pm

These look so cute and useable! Enjoy your time in Salt Lake City! Sounds like fun, as well as being educational…

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:09pm
  
  @Phyllis
  
  Thanks Phyllis!
  
  Reply
Faith January 21, 2014 at 5:55pm

Beautiful! Looks easy, haven’t sewed a zipper in ages! Will try! Thank you

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:10pm
  
  @Faith
  
  This is a super simple way to sew in a zipper since it is not hidden.
  
  Reply
~amy~ January 21, 2014 at 5:44pm

okay, I have got to try this…I’ve always had a fascination of oil cloth!

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:11pm
  
  @~amy~
  
  Love oilcloth! Love finding the perfect projects for it and this one is a winner.
  
  Reply
Elaine January 21, 2014 at 5:38pm

What a wonderful pattern and it looks so easy to put together. Thank you for making us look so clever!

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:11pm
  
  @Elaine
  
  Yes, it is! Love reminding you that you are clever. 😉
  
  Reply
Melissa@TheChicDream January 21, 2014 at 5:15pm

Oh my goodness. I never thought about making my own makeup bag. Thanks for the tutorial. And like Libby said, it’s a great gift idea!

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:12pm
  
  @Melissa@TheChicDream
  
  Any size, custom to your needs too! I use the white for face care and the gold for makeup.
  
  Reply
Jenni January 21, 2014 at 3:20pm

Love this project! I am in such need of a new make up bag. All I need now is a sewing machine…!

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 10:13pm
  
  @Jenni
  
  This is a fun first project! I just got my daughter an awesome Singer Heavy Duty for just over $100.
  
  Reply
Libby January 21, 2014 at 2:08pm

I have 6 girlfriends visiting in March from my previous book club. I think I’m going to make each of them one of these! Thanks for the inspiration. Love them. I think I’ll need one too. My current make up bag is just a tad too small.

Reply
1. Lia January 21, 2014 at 2:41pm
  
  @Libby
  
  That is a great gift idea and I promise, so simple to make! Do make one for yourself!
  
  Reply