Sew a toiletry bag | MALVA pattern in 2 sizes

Sewing a toiletry bag is so much fun! Especially when the sewing instructions are so detailed and the pattern is so beautifully simple! This practical cosmetic bag is particularly well-suited for sewing beginners!

The most important things at a glance

• With my pattern for the Malva toiletry bag, you can sew a practical and very simple flat bag with nice corners
• The well-illustrated and detailed instructions are also suitable for beginners
• You can easily download the free pattern in two sizes in this post
• The dimensions of the Malva in small: H: 10.5 cm, D: 4 cm, W: 17 cm
• The dimensions of the Malva in large: H: 10.5 cm, D: 4 cm, W: 27 cm

Sewing little bags simply makes you happy!

You, because sewing is so much fun. And the recipient, because the bag is just practical.
With my free pattern for the Malva toiletry bag, you can sew a practical and very simple flat bag with nice corners next to the zipper.

The pattern for the cosmetic bag comes in two sizes. By the way, the small Malva is also perfect as a cell phone pouch! ;)

You can sew Malva from any kind of woven fabric, meaning non-stretchy fabrics: cotton fabric, linen, SnapPap, cork fabric, leather, or faux leather. Everything is possible. In this way, you can reinterpret the bag again and again.

For beginners, I recommend a medium-weight woven cotton for this toiletry bag.

If you already know SewSimple, you know that I simply love sewing little bags!

That is why, on the blog, besides many instructions, you will also find tips and tricks that help you sew perfect bags!

Of course, there is also some real insider knowledge to discover: for example, the best way to sew the area next to the zipper.

Sewing a toiletry bag: These fabrics are suitable

• Woven cotton^* (e.g., Chambray^* or Kokka fabrics^*)
• Linen fabrics^*
• Canvas^*
• Faux leather^*
• Denim^*
• Corduroy^*
• SnapPap^*
• Texipap

What you need for sewing

• Cotton fabric^* for the outside
• Cotton as lining fabric; I like to use a solid-colored coordinating fabric^* as lining
• Continuous zipper with pull^*
• Vlieseline H250 fusible interfacing^* (better yet: Vlieseline S 320^*, which makes nice, crisp corners)
• Rotary cutter^*
• Patchwork ruler^*
• Pins^* 
• Scissors^*
• Sewing machine

Download MALVA here

FreeBook Download: MALVA (PDF)

What are the dimensions of the toiletry bag?

Malva is 10.5 cm high and 4 cm deep in both sizes. However, the two bags differ significantly in width:

• Malva small: H: 10.5 cm, D: 4 cm, W: 17 cm
• Malva large: H: 10.5 cm, D: 4 cm, W: 27 cm

How can beginners keep track of the instructions?

It is important to me that beginners also achieve beautiful sewing results with my instructions and patterns. That is why I came up with the following:

To give you better orientation, I have reinforced the reverse side of the lining fabric with black fusible interfacing and the outer fabric with white fusible interfacing in the instructions.

Can you also sew the toiletry bag for men?

Of course! Malva is ideal as a wash bag for men and boys! Also great as packaging for some cool boxer shorts! ;)

Pictures: This is what MALVA looks like

Feel free to write me something in the comments if you have questions or suggestions.

I am happy to help you!

Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine

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