Embroidery Library - Machine Embroidery Designs Inspired Project Page

Cosmetics Bag

This cosmetics bag is embellished with enchanting English tea roses. Complete with a liner, side flap, and handy mirror, the bag makes a wonderful travel companion, whether it be to faraway lands, or just a night out on the town.

Velcro closures keep the mirror flap secure, and a zipper holds eyeliner, lipstick, hand lotion, nail scissors, and more inside the bag.

Supplies needed:

**1/2 yard moire (outer shell)
**1/4 yard sport nylon (lining)
**5" x 5" companion fabric
**3" round mirror
**Fusible interfacing
**Timtex or heavy interfacing
**Adhesive Velcro
**9" zipper
**Hot glue

Designs Used:

**English Tea Roses (Lg or Sm)
Small rectangle and single rose designs were used in this project.

Embroider the rectangle design on the outer shell fabric.

We chose a silk moire fabric for this, which has an interesting wave-like pattern. Hoop the fabric with cutaway stabilizer, and use a bit of spray adhesive between the stabilizer and fabric to keep them nice and tight in the hoop.

Next, embroider the single rose design as you did the rectangle.

The rectangle will be on one side of the bag, and the single rose on the other side, on the mirror pocket.

Cut the embroidered pieces from the fabric. On the backside of the embroidery, mark the center by measuring the width of the design, and dividing by two, then measure the height and divide by two. Mark the center point.

Then, measure and mark a 9 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle around the design. To do this, measure and mark 4 3/4" from the center on both sides.

Then measure 2 3/4" from the center on the top and bottom.

Draw the lines marking the rectangle, and cut the shape from the fabric.

Repeat this for the rose piece, with slightly different measurements.

Find the center point, then measure 2 1/2" from that center on all sides to make a 5" x 5" square. Draw the lines, and cut out the shape. Set the square aside.

Cut a 9 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle from outer shell fabric.

Also, cut two 9 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles from the liner fabric. For the liner, we selected a sturdy black sport nylon which will last for years, and resist stains.

Assemble the main pouch of the bag. Lay the embroidered rectangle right side up.

Place one liner piece on top of the embroidered rectangle, and pin along the top edge.

Sew a 1/4" seam along the top edge.

Align the blank outer shell and liner rectangles together, and pin along one long side. A 4 1/2" slot should be left open to allow the mirror flap to be attached. To do this, mark the center of the pinned edge. Then measure out 2 1/4" from the center on both sides.

Sew a 1/4" seam, keeping the slot open.

Fold each rectangle along the seam with the right sides out. Place the rectangles' right sides and seamed edges together. Pin into place.

Sew a 1/4" seam along the sides and the bottom edge. Do not sew the top seamed edges.

Turn the bag right side out. Next we'll assemble the mirror flap.

Cut a 5" x 5" square of the companion fabric.

Cut a 4 1/4" x 3 3/4" piece of heavy interfacing.

Lay the square of companion fabric wrong side up. Lay the mirror one inch from an edge of the square; this will be referred to as the "bottom." Measure one inch on both sides to center the mirror in the square. Trace around the mirror.

Measure and mark 1/4" inside the circle. Then, cut out the inside circle.

Notch the inside circle, making a notch about every 1/4" inch. Spray the notches with spray adhesive, then fold back long the outer line, and press into place.

Cut a piece of fusible interfacing a bit larger than the square. Lay the square on top with the right side up. Use a pressing cloth and iron to fuse the interfacing with the square.

Trim around the outside edge and inside opening of the square.

Lay the rose square embroidery right side up. Align the companion square, right side down on top of the rose square, keeping the bottoms together. Pin into place.

Sew a 1/4" seam along the bottom and side edges, but do not sew the top.

Turn the flap right side out, and insert the heavy interfacing square. Slide the square all the way to the bottom of the flap.

Lay a line of hot glue just under the edge of the opening and in the center of the circle.

Press the mirror directly in the center of the opening. Press around the mirror, securing the edge of the fabric.

Insert 1/4" of the top flap into the slot in the pouch. Pin in place.

Sew a 1/8" seam along the flap.

Press two 1/2" strips of adhesive hook Velcro to the inside edges of the flap.

Turn the flap over to lay flat against the bag, and add 1/2" strips of loop Velcro to match the the Velcro on the flap.

Finally, add a zipper. Turn the bag inside out. Unzip the zipper. Lay one side of the zipper, right side down along the top edge of the bag, and secure with pins.

Sew into place.

Flip the bag to the other side and pin the second side of the zipper to the top edge to the outside of the flap.

Sew in place.

Turn the bag right side out. Fill with all your favorite essentials, zip it up, and away you go!

And when you're need of a little touch-up, just flip that mirror out to take a peek.