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Sewing instructions: Cosmetic bag Molly

15.04.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

Nähanleitung: Kosmetiktasche Molly

Our new Molly cosmetic bag not only looks phenomenally good – it is also sewn differently than our other models: without a bottom seam. With our sewing instructions: sewing the Molly cosmetic bag is easy even for beginners!

You can vary this pattern to your heart's content. If you want to give the bag more volume, you can make the darts a little wider. Or do you want a narrower bottom? Then lengthen the side panels accordingly.

Can't find a quilted or bag fabric you like?

We have a great tip for you:

Instructions: Make your own quilted fabric

Then simply make your own quilted fabric by placing the lining and main fabric wrong sides together. Place thick fusible fleece* in between. Secure all three layers well with pins and/or temporary spray adhesive. Now you can quilt all three layers together. For this, you can use either your standard sewing foot or a walking foot*.

Then you can cut the prepared fabric piece to the desired size.

Tip: Cut the fabrics a little larger in case they shift during quilting. This ensures that you can sew clean edges afterward.

There are no limits to your imagination when designing the bag. :)

By the way: Here we reveal our TOP TEN most ingenious sewing aids!

For our Molly cosmetic bag you need:

  • 2 cuts of main fabric - 20 x 25 cm each - (in our case, this is our absolute favorite bag fabric* from Swafing)
  • possibly iron-on fleece* to reinforce the main fabric
  • 2 cuts of lining fabric - 25 x 26 cm each
  • 16 x 26 cm fabric for the bottom (for example, we chose a turquoise fabric* from Amy Butler)
  • 2 cuts of bottom fabric - 5 x 8 cm fabric from the bottom piece as zipper covers
  • two layers of cotton batting*, 16 x 26 cm each
  • 25 cm continuous zipper* with pull
  • Ribbon, label, zipper pull
  • possibly temporary spray adhesive*
  • wash-out pen* or fabric marker*
  • Tip: If you want it to be more durable, you can also use coated cotton fabric or a nice oilcloth as material!

Pictures of the finished bag

Sewing instructions: Molly cosmetic bag

By the way, it makes an ingenious gift for friends if you also sew a matching cell phone pouch!

Sewing instructions: Molly cosmetic bag
Sewing instructions: Molly cosmetic bag

Do you like our sewing instructions: Molly cosmetic bag?

Then don't forget to leave us a comment :).

Also remember to pin the post for later - and share it with your friends.

You know: shared joy is double joy! :)

By the way: Take a look at what the talented Ma Kro came up with:

She added two Kam Snaps to the Molly cosmetic bag and designed it so that it can be made smaller with two clicks depending on how full it is. Great, right?

Sewing instructions: Molly cosmetic bag
Sewing instructions: Molly cosmetic bag

Thanks for the photos, dear Ma Kro! :)

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew the Molly cosmetic bag

We'll start by preparing the base of the bag.

  1. Step

    Quilt the base piece

    Place the base fabric wrong side down on a double layer of cotton or soy wadding. Pin all three layers together well. You can also use temporary spray adhesive so the three layers don't shift while quilting.

    Then draw the pattern you want to quilt. Set a longer stitch length on your sewing machine. I used 3.5 and stitched all three layers together.

    Then press the bag base and trim the excess fabric. Your base piece should now measure 15 x 25 cm.

    Quilt the base piece
  2. Step

    Attach woven ribbon

    If you want to attach a woven ribbon, now is the right time. I attached mine 7 cm from the top edge.

    Attach woven ribbon
  3. Step

    Sew main fabric to base piece

    Now sew the main fabric pieces to the long side of the base piece. Repeat this step for the second side.

    Press the seam allowance towards the main fabric and topstitch it in place with a straight stitch.

    Sew main fabric to base piece
  4. Step

    Prepare the zipper

    Fold the two fabric pieces for the zipper tabs in half and sew each one on 2 cm from the end of the zipper. On the second side, remember to thread on the zipper pull before you sew on the tab.

    Now trim the excess fabric and shorten the zipper too, so it doesn't get in the way later when you sew the cosmetic bag together.

    Prepare the zipper
  5. Step

    Cut the lining

    The lining must be the length of the outer piece, plus 2 cm seam allowance.

    Cut the lining
  6. Step

    Sew zipper to outer fabric

    Now place the top edge of the zipper right sides together on the top edge of the outer fabric. Sew them together.

    Sew zipper to outer fabric
  7. Step

    Attach lining fabric

    Now place the lining fabric right side down on the wrong side of the zipper. Pin both together well. Then turn the bag piece over and sew on the zipper by stitching along the first seam.

    Repeat this step for the second side of the zipper.

    Attach lining fabric
  8. Step

    Close side seams and bottom seam

    Now close the side seams and the bottom seam of the lining fabric. In the photo you can see the turning gap I left open in the side of the lining.

    Close side seams and bottom seam
  9. Step

    Box the corners for more volume

    Now fold the corners so that the seams lie on top of each other. The seam must be in the centre.

    Mark a line 3 cm from the corner and pin the corner in place. Now you can sew across the corner and trim the seam allowance.

    Box the corners for more volume
  10. Step

    Close the turning gap

    Now turn the bag right side out through the turning gap and shape the corners well. Close the turning gap with a straight seam.

    Close the turning gap
  11. Step

    Decorative stitching along the zipper

    Finally, fold the main fabric and lining away from the zipper, either with a bone folder or simply with your fingers. Then edgestitch them in place with a decorative seam. Start and finish 2–3 cm from the side seam.

    Done!

    Decorative stitching along the zipper

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.