Zippered Makeup Pouch with Lining and Interior Pocket

5 min read

A zippered makeup pouch with a lining and an interior pocket is a practical sewing project that also makes a thoughtful gift. The lining keeps spills from soaking into the outer fabric, and the interior pocket holds small items like tweezers or lip balm so they do not get lost at the bottom. You can finish this pouch in one sewing session with basic tools, and the same method scales up for a travel bag or down for a coin purse.

Choose fabrics that can handle daily use. Cotton canvas or quilting cotton works well for the outside, while a smooth cotton or nylon lining makes the inside easy to wipe clean. A medium-weight fusible interfacing gives the pouch enough body to stand up without making it stiff. Prewash and press all fabrics before cutting so the finished pouch does not shrink or pucker later.

Materials and Zipper Choices

Gather your supplies before you cut anything.

You need

outer fabric
lining fabric
fusible interfacing
one zipper
thread
pins
scissors
a ruler
a zipper foot for your machine

A nine-inch or ten-inch nylon coil zipper is a good size for a pouch about eight inches wide. Nylon coil zippers are easier to sew over than metal zippers, and they come in many colors that can match or contrast with your fabric.

Pick a zipper that is at least one inch longer than the pouch opening so the ends extend past the side seams. The extra length makes it easier to sew the zipper without the slider getting in the way, and you trim the excess later. Test the zipper by opening and closing it several times before you sew, because a sticky zipper is much harder to fix after it is installed.

Cutting and Interfacing the Panels

Cut two outer panels and two lining panels, each about nine inches wide by six inches tall. Cut two pieces of fusible interfacing the same size and fuse them to the wrong side of the outer panels following the product instructions. Use a pressing cloth and hold the iron still for the recommended time instead of sliding it, which can stretch the fabric. Let the fused panels cool flat before you handle them.

Cut the interior pocket from lining fabric, about six inches wide by five inches tall. Fold the top edge down by half an inch and press it, then topstitch it for a clean edge. The pocket will be sewn to one lining panel, so position it about one inch below the top edge. Pin it in place and check that it sits flat without pulling the lining.

Sewing the Interior Pocket

Pin the pocket to the right side of one lining panel and topstitch along the two sides and the bottom, leaving the top open. Use a seam allowance of one eighth of an inch so the stitching looks neat. Backstitch at the top corners, because those points take the most stress when you slide items in and out. If you want two smaller pockets, stitch a vertical line down the middle of the pocket after you attach it.

Press the lining panel after sewing the pocket, and check that the pocket lies flat. A pocket that ripples will show through to the outside of the finished pouch. If the fabric is slippery, use a few dots of washable glue or double-sided tape to hold the pocket in place before stitching. Trim any loose threads now so they do not get caught in the zipper later.

Installing the Zipper Cleanly

Place the zipper face down on the right side of one outer panel, aligning the top edges. Lay one lining panel face down on top of the zipper, so the zipper is sandwiched between the outer and lining fabrics with right sides together. Pin or clip the layers, then sew along the top edge with a zipper foot. Open the layers and press the seam away from the zipper so the fabrics lie flat.

Repeat the same steps on the other side of the zipper with the remaining outer and lining panels. Topstitch along both sides of the zipper, about one eighth of an inch from the seam, to keep the fabric from catching in the teeth. Open the zipper halfway before the next step, because you will need the opening to turn the pouch right side out.

Boxing the Corners and Finishing

With the zipper open, align the outer panels together and the lining panels together, then pin around the whole pouch. Leave a three-inch gap in the bottom of the lining for turning. Sew around the perimeter with a half-inch seam, and trim the zipper ends so they do not poke through. To box the corners, pinch each bottom corner into a triangle and sew a line about one inch from the point, then trim the excess.

Turn the pouch right side out through the lining gap, pushing the corners out with a blunt tool. Stitch the lining gap closed by hand or with a topstitch. Press the pouch gently, avoiding the zipper teeth, and test the zipper once more. Fill the pouch with a few items to check that the pocket holds and the pouch keeps its shape. With practice, this project takes under an hour and the result looks store-bought.

Before you go, take a look below: more Sewing crafts guides, hand-picked to follow this one.

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