estimated reading time: 8 min

Sewing a cosmetic bag: Instructions and pattern "Nanami"

06.09.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

Schminktäschchen nähen: Anleitung und Schnittmuster "Nanami"

What do I need for that?

Sew the Nanami make-up pouch

Freebook · PDF
To the sewing pattern →

Materials & Details

Sewing scissors^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H630

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*

Woven cotton is a classic, non-stretch cotton fabric. It's comfortable to wear, relatively lightweight and at the same time nicely stable.

The surface is usually smooth or slightly matte and feels natural and soft. Depending on the quality, it can be thinner for light clothing or a little firmer for sturdier projects.

Woven cotton is really easy to sew: it hardly slips, is easy to cut and is great for beginners too.

It's perfect for blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts or for decor such as cushions, pouches and patchwork.

In short: simple, versatile and a true all-rounder for lots of sewing ideas

Corduroy fabrics^*

Machine:: Zigzag stitchOverlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H200

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Corduroy is a sturdy fabric with a very typical ribbed texture. These fine or wider stripes give it its unmistakable, slightly retro look.

The fabric feels soft and textured at the same time. It is warm, comfortable to wear and really durable.

Depending on the type, corduroy comes fine (needlecord) or coarse with wide ribs – both have their own charm.

Corduroy is usually easy to sew; just keep an eye on the nap direction of the ribs.

It is perfect for trousers, skirts, jackets, dresses or bags.

In short: cosy, sturdy and a true classic with vintage flair.

Canvas^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H200

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Canvas is a very sturdy, densely woven fabric that feels really stable. It's usually made of cotton or a cotton blend and is made to withstand quite a lot.

The surface is rather firm and sometimes slightly rough, but can be a little smoother depending on the finish. Canvas has hardly any stretch, but keeps its shape nicely.

Sewing it can take some effort because it's thick and stable – but in return you get a very long-lasting result. Fraying is easy to keep under control with the right technique.

Canvas is perfect for bags, backpacks, seat cushions, decor or even sturdy jackets.

In short: strong, long-lasting and ideal for anything that needs to be really stable.

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.

Whether as a makeup bag, phone bag, cosmetic bag or handbag organizer - this cutie is awesome! With my pattern, you can easily sew the amazing Nanami makeup bag!

The most important things at a glance

The Nanami pattern is available in 5 sizes and variants
For size 2, there is a freebie that you can find and download in this post
The bag itself is so simple that the zipper can take center stage for once
Nanami is a great project for sewing beginners
Your imagination knows no bounds, create a beautiful Nanami just the way you like it (and get inspired by my many colorful bags here in the post)
Sewing time: approx. 1 - 2 hours
Sewing level: beginner

Sewing a makeup bag: "Nanami" pattern

What makes my Nanami special are the two zippers. The bag itself is so simple that the zipper can take center stage for once. And that is really appropriate for these stunning examples^*! I even recently dedicated a blog post to them with a zipper review, because they are so beautiful and durable.

Sewing Nanami makeup bag

Nanami in 4 sizes

By the way, Nanami is Japanese and means "Seven Seas".

Because the cute bag is such a pleasant companion - on all the world's oceans, so to speak! ;)

Why is that? The pattern is available in 4 sizes and variants - you can sew it as a wallet, cosmetic bag, bag organizer, tablet bag, tampon bag, clutch, handbag, travel case and much, much more!

By the way: For size 2, there is a freebie pattern that you can download further down.

How much fabric do I need for each size?

Nanami size 1
12 x 30 cm each of outer fabric, lining fabric, bag fabric, interfacing H250^* (for the smallest size, only the outer fabric needs to be reinforced)
2 x 14 cm endless zipper with zipper pull^*
10 cm bias tape
Finished bag size: 11 x 14.5 cm

Nanami size 2
14 x 48 cm each of outer fabric, lining fabric, bag fabric, interfacing H 630^*, interfacing H250^*
2 x 25 cm endless zipper with zipper pull^*
10 cm bias tape
Finished bag size: 13 x 23 cm

Nanami size 3
20 x 40 cm each of outer fabric, lining fabric, bag fabric, interfacing H250^*, interfacing H630^*
2 x 27 cm endless zipper with zipper pull^*
10 cm bias tape
Finished bag size: 15.5 x 26 cm

https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=k37Y3mR5Ehg&mid=54056&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fde%2Fshop%2FNaehcafeAmWasserturm%3Fsection_id%3D24660241Nanami size 4
25 x 80 cm each of outer fabric, lining fabric, bag fabric, interfacing H250^*, interfacing H630^*
2 x 137 cm endless zipper with zipper pull^*
10 cm bias tape
Finished bag size: 20.5 x 35.5 cm

Nanami size 5
28 x 80 cm each of outer fabric, lining fabric, bag fabric, interfacing H250^*, interfacing H630^*
2 x 36 cm endless zipper with zipper pull^*
10 cm bias tape
Finished bag size: 24 x 35 cm

Just like I do, you can also decorate the zippers with glass beads^* or name beads^* to match the fabric. That really makes the bag stand out!

My tip: Sew leftover zipper pieces into a practical loop!

I always have the beautiful and artistic beads^* in the picture on hand for decorative purposes. I think they are worth it! :)

The side pocket is really spacious!

Thanks to the two fleece reinforcements, the bag keeps its shape and fits well in the hand.

By the way: The pattern for our makeup bag Nanami in size 2 is free. A 1 cm seam allowance is already included in the pattern.

If you want to sell bags sewn from the pattern, you absolutely need a commercial license. You can easily download it in our shop here on the blog.

I have sewn the cute Nanami in different variants:

I have assigned the information about the materials used and where you can get them to the respective images of the finished bag. I have linked all products that are currently available.

The beautiful Nanami in the picture here is sewn from paper fabric. It weighs exactly 27 grams - and is the lightest Nanami ever. The beautiful Tyvek^* I got from Stoffe-Hemmers^*, elegant cork tapes^* are available here.

You can find out more about the cool paper fabric and what you can create with it in my blog post about it.

Sewing Nanami makeup bag

What you need for sewing

Important: A 1-centimeter seam allowance is included in the pattern.

Outer fabric - e.g. colorful cotton fabrics^* reinforced with interfacing H250^*

Lining fabric - e.g. fine corduroy^* or canvas^* reinforced with interfacing H 630^*

Endless zipper with zipper pull^*
Fabric marker^* or chalk pencil^*
Sewing thread in the color of the lining fabric^*
Rotary cutter^*
Fabric scissors^*
Patchwork ruler^*
Sewing machine (you can also read my review of the Janome Horizon)
optional: Wondertape^* for attaching the zipper
Fabric clips^*
possibly sewing pins^*

To sew a Nanami makeup bag, you need:

2 pattern pieces of outer fabric, reinforced with interfacing H 250^*

2 pattern pieces of lining fabric, reinforced with interfacing H630^*

2 pattern pieces of lining fabric for the side pocket

2 pieces of endless zipper, 22 and 20 cm long each, with zipper pull
1 approx. 10 cm long piece of bias tape^* as zipper tape

Also: Wondertape^* or Style-Fix for the zipper

Variant: Nanami makeup bag made from Asanoha fabric

In the tablet version, the corners are not as rounded:

Information about the material of the Asanoha makeup bag

The Asanoha fabric^* comes from Amazon
Vlieseli n e H 250^* and Vlieseline H 630^* as well
The lining is a Swafing fabric
I bought the metallic zipper^* on Amazon

Variant: Nanami cosmetic bag in rose gold

Info on the materials for the rose gold Nanami

For the no-sew application, I used Heat'n'Bond Ultra Hold^*
Vlieseline H 250^* and Vlieseline H 630^* as well
The lining came from the weekly market, the outer fabric from the fabric store
I ordered the metallic zipper^* on Amazon

Variant: Nanami cosmetic bag in Ming vase style

Info on the materials for the Ming vase Nanami

I found the Ming vase digital print^* on Amazon (sometimes you just get lucky!)
Vlieseline H 250^* and Vlieseline H 630^* as well
I got the metallic zipper^* on Amazon

Variant: Sewing the Nanami cosmetic bag - using the pizza technique

You can also read my post with the pizza technique instructions.

Nanami as a cute children's wallet:

Here is a Nanami made from a sturdy canvas^*, which I simply love for bags because it is so sturdy!

Nanami with gold print. You can find the instructions for it HERE.

Special: Nanami in a glitter look

A very special variant of the basic Nanami pattern - you can find the detailed instructions for the Nanami with glitter HERE.

Do you like my instructions: Sewing the Nanami cosmetic bag?

Then feel free to leave me a comment if you like :)

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

The most frequently asked questions

Is the Nanami bag available in different sizes?

Yes, the pattern is available in 5 sizes and variants - you can sew it as a wallet, cosmetic bag, bag organizer, tablet bag, tampon bag, clutch, handbag, travel case, and much, much more!

Is Nanami also available as a freebook?

Yes, it actually is! The bag is available in size 2 as a freebie, you can download it for free in this post.

Can beginners also sew the bag?

Of course! The sewing instructions come with many pictures and a step-by-step guide and are very suitable for beginners.

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 the Nanami make-up pouch

Tutorial in three stages: side pocket with zipper window, top zipper, finishing the bag.

01

Step

Prepare the zipper window
How to sew the side pocket
First, you prepare the window for the zipper
Pin the marked lining piece right sides together onto the side piece that will face the front
02

Step

Stitch around the marking and cut it open
Stitch around the marking with a short straight stitch
Cut the marking open down the middle, stopping 1 cm from the side seams
Clip the seam allowances at the corners diagonally to just short of the seam
03

Step

Pull the lining fabric through
Pull the lining fabric through the slit and shape the folded edges
Press the zipper window
04

Step

Position the Wondertape and zipper
Prepare for inserting the zipper by sticking Wondertape all around the zipper window
Cut away the teeth on one side of the zipper, thread the zipper pull onto the other side first, then onto the side with the missing teeth
Open and close the zipper fully once so that the teeth mesh properly
Peel off the backing of the Wondertape and place the zipper in the centre
My tip

To close the zipper, I always use my legendary anatomical tweezers.
05

Step

Edgestitch the zipper in place
Now the zipper can be edgestitched in place.
Here's how to get past the zipper pull:
Sew up to the zipper pull
Leave the needle down in the fabric
Raise the presser foot
Turn the fabric slightly
Slide the zipper pull past the presser foot
Lower the foot and keep sewing
My tip

With nylon zippers I can simply sew over the teeth; alternatively, guide the needle using the handwheel.
06

Step

Sew on the second lining piece
Trim the excess zipper a little
Pin the second lining piece right sides together and sew all the way around with a straight stitch and a wide seam allowance
Make sure you don't catch the bag piece in the seam
Trim the seam allowance all the way around
07

Step

Prepare the top zipper
This is how the top zipper is sewn in
Thread on the zipper pull and shorten the zipper until there is a 2.5 cm gap on both sides.
Bind both zipper ends with bias binding; depending on the material, I prefer to sew the bias binding on by hand, as it looks neater
08

Step

Place the zipper on the side piece
Place the zipper right sides together on the side piece; the closed zipper pull points in the same direction as the zipper pull on the side piece
On both sides of the zipper, leave a 2.5 cm gap to the side edge of the bag piece
09

Step

Lining on the zipper
Now place the right side of the lining on the wrong side of the zipper; the sides of the pattern pieces always lie flush
Pin in place and sew along the first seam
Repeat on the second side
10

Step

Fold away and topstitch
Fold all the pieces away from the zipper and press
Edgestitch along the zipper, catching the lining as you go
The seam starts and ends at the bias binding zipper tabs
11

Step

Sew the bag together
How to finish the little bag
Open the top zipper
Pin the two lining pieces right sides together
Now pin the two outer pieces right sides together as well
Start sewing the bag together on the lining side
Leave a turning gap of approx. 8 centimetres in the lining and sew once all the way around the bag
12

Step

Trim the seam allowances
Clip wedge-shaped notches into the seam allowances along the curves, up to the seam
The seam allowance at the top edge of the bag (where the lining and outer fabric meet) is also trimmed to 3 - 4 mm
13

Step

Turn and shape
Turn the bag right side out through the turning gap and the zipper and shape the seams carefully
I do this with my fingers first, then with the anatomical tweezers
14

Step

Close the turning gap
Close the turning gap with a straight stitch
Done!

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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.

Sewing a cosmetic bag: Instructions and pattern "Nanami"

Nanami in 4 sizes

How much fabric do I need for each size?

What you need for sewing

To sew a Nanami makeup bag, you need:

Variant: Nanami makeup bag made from Asanoha fabric

Information about the material of the Asanoha makeup bag

Variant: Nanami cosmetic bag in rose gold

Info on the materials for the rose gold Nanami

Variant: Nanami cosmetic bag in Ming vase style

Info on the materials for the Ming vase Nanami

Variant: Sewing the Nanami cosmetic bag - using the pizza technique

Special: Nanami in a glitter look

The most frequently asked questions

Is the Nanami bag available in different sizes?

Is Nanami also available as a freebook?

Can beginners also sew the bag?

Sew the Nanami make-up pouch

Prepare the zipper window

How to sew the side pocket

Stitch around the marking and cut it open

Pull the lining fabric through

Position the Wondertape and zipper

Edgestitch the zipper in place

Sew on the second lining piece

Prepare the top zipper

This is how the top zipper is sewn in

Place the zipper on the side piece

Lining on the zipper

Fold away and topstitch

Sew the bag together

How to finish the little bag

Trim the seam allowances

Turn and shape

Close the turning gap

Comments

Sabine