estimated reading time: 9 min

Sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag: Pattern hack for the Trisch bag

18.07.2021 by Sabine Schmidt

Kosmetiktasche in Katzenform nähen: Patternhack für Tasche Trisch

Sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag: How cool is that? By the way, the cute little kitten has been "up to no good"... You can find the instructions and pattern for this original bag in the post.

The most important points at a glance

The fun cat bag with a fish zipper is sewn using the Trisch pattern
Alternatively, you can also sew the bag in a rabbit shape with a carrot on the zipper
You only need a few fabric scraps, some interfacing, and 50 cm of continuous zipper
You can find the patterns and templates here in the post
Sewing level: Beginner with a little patience
Sewing time: approx. 90 min.

Sewing a cosmetic bag might be a completely normal thing for you and me by now. But a cat-shaped cosmetic bag with a fish zipper – that is just so cute, you simply have to try it out!

The brilliant thing is: the long zipper allows the bag to be opened veeeery wide. This gives you a great view of the bag's contents. Furthermore, the wide opening makes handling it even easier.

And the little fish serves as a handle while you pull on the zipper. Really practical and stunningly cute.

So grab some lovely fabrics quickly and get started!

By the way, you can also sew the bag out of dry oilskin. In that case, you should reinforce the lining fabric with Vlieseline H640 or H630.

With oilskin, the bag becomes a bit softer, but is easy to embroider.

The beautiful dandelion fabric from Simone’s shop (you can find it below in the material recommendations) creates a good contrast to the muted yellow of the waxed fabric.

I sewed the fish head and tail from self-dyed cotton fabric.

By the way, the Trisch bag is also irresistibly cute in a rabbit shape!

What skills do I need?

You hardly need any prior knowledge to sew the bag. If you want to brush up a little in advance, feel free to take a look at these blog posts:

What do I need for sewing?

Non-stretch fabrics e.g. cotton fabric^*, canvas, bag fabrics, faux leather, corduroy, denim, linen
Denim scraps for the fish (or the carrot)
Vlieseline H630 for the outer fabric
optional: Vlieseline H250^* for the lining fabric
45 - 47 cm continuous zipper with pull^*
matching sewing thread for the main fabric
small button
needle & thread (e.g. metallic thread)
sewing thread in pink (little nose) and black or anthracite (whiskers)
scissors
Pattern for the Trisch bag in size Maxi
Pattern for the pattern hack

My tip: You can find beautiful fabrics for this bag project in Simone’s highly praised Etsy shop^*, which I have recommended here on the blog several times. The Snaply brand zippers also come from there and are available from Simone in every conceivable color and metallic version. So definitely check it out!

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sabine (@sewsimple.de)

What other accessories do I need?

Fabric marker^* or chalk pencil
Sewing thread^* (also nice in a contrast color for topstitching!)
Rotary cutter^*
Fabric shears^*
Patchwork ruler^*
Sewing machine^*
Pins^*
Tweezers^* or point turner

Image tutorial: Sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag

YouTube Video: Sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag

Can I also sew the bag with a different animal motif?

Sure, you can, for example, sew it in a rabbit shape with a carrot trim on the zipper. I’ll show you how that works in a separate video. The basic sewing technique, however, is the same as in the video with the cat bag.

Pattern for the rabbit bag

You can download the template for the pattern hack for the Trisch bag in a rabbit shape here:

Download rabbit hack template

YouTube video: Sewing the rabbit bag

Definitely let me know how you liked this sewing idea. I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy simple sewing, your Sabine

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag?

You only need a few fabric scraps, some iron-on interfacing, and a zipper. Plus the patterns for the cosmetic bag and the pattern hack.

Why should I sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag?

Because it is probably the cutest sewing project ever! Plus, it's practical: the zipper allows the bag to be opened very wide, and the little fish serves as a pull tab.

Can I also sew the bag with other animals?

In this post, you will also find the freebie pattern template for the cosmetic bag in a rabbit shape with a carrot trim on the zipper.

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.

Sew a cat-shaped cosmetic bag

The bag is made of several individual parts. You need the following amounts of fabric:

25 x 65 cm yellow fabric reinforced with Vlieseline H250 (outside)
13 x 56 cm striped fabric reinforced with Vlieseline H250 (base)
15 x 15 cm yellow fabric (ears)
35 x 60 cm lining fabric
22 x 22 cm denim scraps or blue fabric scraps

Pattern pieces for the outer bag:

2 top pieces
2 base pieces
2 x 2 cat ears
2 fish tails
2 fish heads

and for the lining:

2 complete pattern pieces

The lining is cut first, using the complete pattern that hasn't been divided yet. The seam allowance is included in all pattern pieces and is 0.7 cm.

If you want your bag to have a bit more structure, you can also reinforce the lining with Vlieseline H250.

Now divide the pattern between the top piece and the middle piece.

Cut two top pieces and two base pieces for the outer bag from a double layer of fabric. I reinforced the fabrics with Vlieseline H250 before cutting.

Step

The cat ears are also cut from a double layer of fabric. You need 4 ears in total.
Step

Cut out the bottom piece and add a 0.7 cm seam allowance at the dividing edge.
Step

Do the same with the top piece. The seam allowance is included all around, only at the dividing edge do you add 0.7 cm.
Step

Now use a fabric marker to mark the point where the centre line meets the horizontal division between the bottom piece and the middle piece.
Step

This is what it should look like now:
Step

Now you need the template for the cat face.
Cut along the whiskers with the rotary cutter so that you can transfer them onto the fabric.
Step

Push a pin through the dot on the cat's nose and through the mark on the fabric.
Step

Then align the pattern parallel to the edge of the fabric.
Step

Transfer the whisker markings onto the fabric.
Step

This is what it should look like now:
Step

Next, we stitch the cat face with the sewing machine. Choose a triangle or a heart from your decorative stitches. Unfortunately, my Janome doesn't stitch nice hearts and my Juki is being serviced, so my heart looks a bit squat. For the stitching, use sewing thread in pink or apricot, whichever you like.
Step

I stitch the whiskers in black with a triple straight stitch. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seams.
Step

This is how the whole thing should look now:
Step

Sew the ear pieces right sides together, leaving the bottom edge open.
Step

Trim the seam allowance of the ears to just short of the seam.
Step

Turn the ears right side out and press them.
Step

Next, you need the cut bottom piece. Mark the centre of the dividing edge. Then mark a distance of 5.5 cm to the left and right of the centre.
Step

Now pin the cat ears on the outside of the marks.
Step

Attach them with a short basting seam within the seam allowance.
Step

Now you need the top piece of the bag.
Step

Pin the long edges right sides together with the edges aligned.
Step

Sew the two pieces together with a 0.7 cm seam allowance and a straight stitch.
Then press the seam allowance towards the bottom piece.
Step

Sew the second side of the outer bag in the same way, just without the face and ears. ;)
Step

This is how it should look now:
Step

Now prepare the fish head and tail. Pin the two templates onto the fabric and cut them out without seam allowance.
Step

Mark the turning gap on the fish head. Check whether it fits your zipper. You can also make it a little larger or smaller.
Step

This is how it should look now:
Step

Sew around the fish head and tail with a straight stitch and 0.7 cm seam allowance.
Step

Trim the seam allowance a little, except at the turning gap, so the seam is easier to shape.
Step

Clip the seam allowance of the turning gap a little so that it follows the curve better after turning.
Step

Turn the fish head right side out, shape it with tweezers or a point turner and press it.
Step

Fold the seam allowances of the turning gap neatly to the inside.
Step

The fish tail is sewn in the same way.
The straight edge of the fish tail stays open.
Step

Then turn it right side out, press it and fold the straight edge 0.7 cm to the inside.
Step

Next comes the zipper. Thread the zipper pull onto the zipper. I show you how to do this in detail in my post Binding and sewing in a zipper.
Secure the ends of the zipper with a wide zigzag stitch so that the zipper pull doesn't accidentally slide off the coil while you work.
Step

Mark a distance of 3.5 cm from the side edges of the outer bag.
Step

Between the two marks, clip into the zipper tape a few millimetres deep with pointed scissors. That way it hugs the curve of the bag more nicely.
Step

Pin the zipper right sides together to the first bag piece made of outer fabric.
At the 3.5 cm mark, guide the zipper away from the top edge of the fabric.
Step

Sew the zipper on 0.7 - 1 cm from the edge. I use a zipper foot for this and start and end the seam at the zipper.
Step

This is how it should look now:
Step

Pin the lining right side to wrong side onto the zipper and sew it on along the first seam.
Step

If the zipper pull gets in the way, leave the needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot, turn the fabric slightly and pull the zipper pull past the foot. Then realign the fabric and carry on sewing.
Little tip: it's best to always sew on the side with the firmer fusible interfacing, as the presser foot usually copes best with that. The seams will be much more even.
This is how it should look now:
Step

Clip the seam allowance next to the zipper at intervals of approx. 1 cm to just short of the seam. That way the seam is easier to shape.
Step

This is how it should look now:
Step

Pin the second outer piece right sides together onto the zipper and sew it on in the same way as the first.
Step

The second lining piece is sewn on in the same way.
Step

Fold the fabric away from the zipper and topstitch the seam allowance next to the zipper. I marked a distance of 7 cm from the sides so that the topstitching runs symmetrically.
For topstitching you can use, for example, a zipper foot or an edge-stitching foot. If you'd like to know more about presser feet and how to use them, have a read of my blog post on presser feet.
Step

Now secure the zipper ends by pinning them to the main fabric. You can use pins or, if that feels too risky, fabric clips.
Open the zipper a little so that you can turn the bag right side out easily.
Step

Now pin the lining pieces and the outer pieces right sides together.
Step

Now close the straight edges of the bag with a straight stitch and 0.7 cm seam allowance. Leave the corners and a turning gap in the lining open.

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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.