Sewing a patchwork cosmetic bag: With this tutorial and the free pattern for the PONY POUCH, you can easily create simple little bags with zippers in a patchwork look!
The most important things at a glance
- In this post, I will show you how you can sew a patchwork cosmetic bag
- You will learn which fabrics are suitable and get tips on processing
- I will show you how to sew the patchwork appliqué for the bag
- The pattern for the flat bag is designed for woven fabrics
- The patchwork appliqué is easily sewn by hand using English Paper Piecing (EPP)
- Subscribers to the Nähpost newsletter receive the pattern for this zipper bag for free
- You can download the pattern for free here in the post
- Sewing level: easy
- Sewing time: 1 afternoon
A flat zipper bag like this is the ultimate organizer, isn't it? I always need them in all sizes. And I absolutely love gifting these beautiful bags with the sophisticated patchwork look.
Yet these little zipper bags are much easier to sew than they look. This is partly because the patchwork element is a breeze even for beginners, and partly because the bag has no awkward corners or angles. That makes it fun and significantly reduces "bag stress." :)
YouTube video: How to sew a patchwork cosmetic bag
How difficult is it to sew a patchwork cosmetic bag?
You don't need superpowers to sew this simple, flat zipper bag. If you're not quite confident enough to try patchwork yet,
READING TIP: Sewing a bag: My top 25 tips (by the way, we also have a worth-listening podcast on the subject of bags!)
What do I need to know as a beginner if I want to sew a zipper bag?
You can sew the bag from simple woven fabrics. Cotton fabrics are perfect for this project. Have your basic sewing supplies ready. Then you should consider whether you want to sew the bag with or without the patchwork appliqué. Without it is easier. But with the appliqué, the bag looks really mouth-watering. And it's not actually difficult either. A sweet bonus: You get to learn a completely new sewing technique – English Paper Piecing.
What does my sewing machine need to be able to do to sew a patchwork cosmetic bag?
It is enough if your sewing machine can sew a straight stitch. If you also have a zipper foot, you're all set. Your machine should, of course, also be able to sew forward and backward so you can secure the beginning and end of the seam.
Reading tip: Presser feet and their uses
Do I have to sew the patchwork elements by hand?
Classically, English Paper Piecing is sewn by hand. We do that in this tutorial too, because it's really a lot of fun. I will, however, show you how to topstitch the appliqué onto the outer fabric with a machine instead of by hand.
Which stitches are suitable for sewing bags?
A standard straight stitch with a variable stitch length is perfect for this patchwork bag. Here are my favorite stitch settings:
- Straight seams: 2.5 mm
- Curves: 1.5 mm
- Topstitching: 3.5 - 4 mm (depending on fabric thickness)
- Zipper: 2.5 mm
Which needle is suitable for this bag project?
It is best to simply use a universal needle in size 80. Then nothing can go wrong. If you want to sew new things from old jeans and use your retired 501s for this bag project, you can also use a denim needle.
Reading tip: Everything about sewing machine needles
Which presser feet for sewing a patchwork cosmetic bag?
Are you unsure which of your presser feet you can use for this bag project? Let's take a closer look:
- Zigzag foot: The "standard foot" – suitable for "normal" seams, but not very good for sewing in zippers
- Straight stitch foot: Some sewing machines come with a so-called straight stitch foot. It is suitable for firm fabrics and straight stitches. If you try to sew a zigzag with it, you are very likely to break the needle (small stitch hole!)
- Zipper foot: The classic for sewing in zippers, but also suitable for narrow spots, e.g., sewing the transition next to the zipper
- Edgestitch foot: Perfect for topstitching next to the zipper because of its small guide.
READING TIP: If you want a little extra help with presser feet, you are in the best hands in my blog post Presser feet and their uses. 🙂
What fabrics can you use to sew a patchwork cosmetic bag?
There are so many incredibly great fabrics you can use to sew the Pony Pouch. That's why I'm giving you a small overview in the form of a table. You can also combine different types of fabric, for example, canvas and poplin or faux leather and linen.
| Fabric Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Notes & Tips | Source |
| Canvas | strong, robust weave, practically indestructible | – makes the bag somewhat firmer – seam transitions or multiple layers of fabric can be a challenge for the sewing machine (and for beginners) |
– sew with a denim needle or 90 – 100 universal needle | Order canvas* |
| Cotton Poplin | practical all-rounder fabric, robust, easy to process, especially well-suited for beginners | – should be interfaced beforehand (Vliesline H200 or H250), otherwise the bag will be too soft | – process with 70 – 80 universal needle | Order poplin* |
| Kokka fabrics | firm and robust, easy to process, especially high-quality and aesthetic | – sometimes fray a bit – multiple layers of fabric are a challenge for some sewing machines |
– sew with a denim needle or 80 – 90 universal needle – does not need to be interfaced |
Order Kokka fabrics* |
| Cotton Batiste | fine but still firm fabric that doesn't wrinkle easily | – the back of the fabric should definitely be interfaced beforehand, otherwise the bag will be too soft and lose its shape - perfect for interfacing: Style-vil, Style-vil fix or Thermolam |
– cut with heavy, sharp scissors – sew with a denim needle or 90 – 100 universal needle |
Order cotton batiste* |
| Coated Cotton | water-repellent, wipeable, robust | - can be a challenge for beginners because the presser foot sticks to the material | – process with 70 – 90 universal needle - does not need to be interfaced |
Order coated cotton fabrics* |
| Linen/Linen-blend | sophisticated, sustainable, natural, with a beautiful wrinkled look | – fabric edges fray easily – fabric is not as firm and often woven somewhat irregularly - for interfacing, e.g., Thermolam, Style-vil, Vlieseline H630, H640 or S320 are suitable |
– Interfacing with Vlieseline reduces the fraying of fabric edges – process with 70 – 90 universal needle |
Order linen* |
| Denim | firm, strong, and robust | - multiple layers of denim are often difficult to sew - light to medium interfacing is sufficient, e.g., Vlieseline G770 or H250 |
– sew with a denim needle or 90 – 100 universal needle – denim thread for topstitching is a good option |
Order denim fabrics* |
| Fine corduroy/Cord | beautiful, velvety surface, robust fabric, ages very beautifully | – note the nap direction when cutting: the nap must feel rough when brushing downwards e.g., Vlieseline G770 or H250 |
– process with 80 – 90 universal needle | Order corduroy fabric* |
My tip: You can always sew little bags like the Pony Pouch from fabric scraps. Discarded jeans are very suitable, which you can use to turn the bag into a jeans upcycling project.
Where can I get the fabrics used?
You can order all the fabrics I used for my bags directly from Simone. Here are a few examples of great fabrics that are particularly well-suited for the bag.
Cotton fabric woven solid colors
100% Cotton
Width: from 110 cm wide
Acufactum fabrics
Pattern repeat: acufactum
100% Cotton Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
produced in Europe
Weight: 145 gr/m²
How should I pre-treat the fabric?
Before cutting, you should wash and iron the fabrics so they don't shrink during the first wash. Additionally, pre-washing ensures that any excess dye, sizing, and chemicals are washed out.
If you don't want to pre-wash, intense steaming with an iron is enough. :)
Reading tip: Wash fabrics before sewing?
Patchwork cosmetic bag fabric consumption
You can sew the Pony Pouch from many different fabric scraps and also prettily quilt the fabrics. You just need small scraps of fabric for the patchwork elements. My specifications are based on a fabric width of 110 cm.
Fabric consumption size 1
- 15 cm outer fabric
- 15 cm lining fabric
- 15 cm Vlieseline H640 or H630 for the outer fabric
- if necessary, 15 cm Vlieseline G700 for the lining
- 16 cm continuous zipper
Fabric consumption size 2
- 20 cm outer fabric
- 20 cm lining fabric
- 20 cm Vlieseline H640 or H630 for the outer fabric
- if necessary, 20 cm Vlieseline G700 for the lining
- 25 cm continuous zipper
Fabric consumption size 3
- 25 cm outer fabric
- 25 cm lining fabric
- 25 cm Vlieseline H640 or H630 for the outer fabric
- if necessary, 25 cm Vlieseline G700 for the lining
- 32 cm continuous zipper
How big is the finished Pony Pouch?
With our free pattern, you can sew the Pony Pouch in 3 sizes.
- Size 1: approx. 11.5 x 16 cm
- Size 2: approx. 18 x 25 cm
- Size 3: approx. 23 x 31.5 cm
Sewing a patchwork cosmetic bag: free pattern
You can download the pattern for the Pony Pouch for free in our freebook section.
Sharing this pattern is prohibited, as is commercial use. If you wish to sell items made using this pattern, you should download a SewSimple license in advance.
Print the pattern at 100% scale without page scaling. The printer should be set to “print document and all markings” so that the labels are transferred to the pattern pieces.
A 1 cm seam allowance is already included in the pattern.
How can I get the free pattern?
Would you like to sew the Pony Pouch? Great! To access this and over 100 other exclusive free books and free patterns, the best way is to follow these steps:
- Sign up for the SewSimple newsletter
- Click the registration confirmation link in the email: Yes, I want to…
- Once you receive the SewSimple welcome email, you are officially a subscriber
- Create a customer account using the same email address*
- Log in
- Click the download link or go to the pattern via the "free book" section of your customer account.
It may also help to clear your cookies and cache, use a different browser or incognito mode, or try a different device. It often works on a PC or laptop if it doesn't work on your phone.
It is also always a good idea to check if your browser is up to date or if your browser settings are preventing downloads. :)
- Please understand that I cannot send the pattern via email. Unfortunately, I cannot answer requests for this. This makes it all the more important that you follow the instructions above for the download correctly..
- For questions regarding your customer account, be sure to take a look at the FAQs!
- If the free book section is not visible on mobile, it helps to open the page on a PC. You can also swipe to the left in the mobile view to see the download link. 🙂
- If you have received the newsletter before but forgot to confirm your subscription (this can happen for technical reasons), it helps to unsubscribe using the "unsubscribe link" at the bottom of the newsletter, sign up again, and then confirm your subscription.
Sewing a patchwork cosmetic bag: Required accessories
- matching sewing thread*
- Vlieseline H630* for reinforcing the outer fabric
- Fabric scraps for the patchwork appliqué
- Iron-on appliqué interfacing* (washable)
- Needle & thread
- Continuous zipper with pull*
- 10 cm bias tape
- if necessary, spray adhesive*
- possibly label*
- matching sewing machine needle
- pins*
- Fabric clips*
- ruler*
- if necessary, point turner* for shaping bag corners
- marking pen*
- fabric scissors*
- thread snips*
- Sewing machine
Reading tip: Interfacing, stabilizers, fleece, and their uses
Conclusion: Such an enchanting little bag!
This little bag has become one of my absolute favorites in no time at all. And whenever I pick it up, my heart fills with joy because it is so beautiful. And not only that: the bag has become a highly coveted gift. I actually always keep a few of these quickly sewn dream bags in my cupboard in case I need a fast gift. And I conjure up the patchwork flowers for them quite relaxed in the evening on the sofa... :)
I hope you have just as much fun with these instructions as I do.
Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
Comments
Comments are loading …