Who doesn’t like a simple toiletry bag? You can make your own diy toiletry bag to store your toiletries when you travel. All you need one piece of ‘fabric’ and a zipper. Do you know how quickly you can make it? This unlined, simple straight-line zipper pouch might take you less than 10 minutes. Have a look at the tutorial and sew a cosmetic pouch for yourself or as a gift for a friend.
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Diy Toiletry Bag
Back to the super easy toiletry bag: you can make a totally easy, unlined zipper pouch out of any used materials. You need one piece of ‘fabric’, oilcloth, vinyl (any material, really!) and a zipper. Make 4 straight stitches on your sewing machine. Two more if you want your zippy boxed. That’s it. A great beginner sewing project to make, nearly on the go. To me, it’s even simpler than making a pizza. Also, it takes less time 😉
THE STORY BEHIND The Easy Toiletry Bag
I made this cosmetic pouch the day before my older child went for a three-day vacation with the kindergarten group. I was packing his stuff, but realized I had nothing even remotely waterproof to act as a toiletry pouch.
And it was just after I got tired of chasing a simple, boy-themed zipper pouch for toiletries, having visited 5 shops, just to find out there were only grown-up cosmetic pouches with tons of pockets and compartments, and a few small-sized, totally pink ones with lace or glitter. What I wanted was a low-profile, plain zipper pouch for a kid that’s currently totally into cars, trucks and slugterra characters. In a material that will protect the entire travel case contents from a dripping wet toothbrush.
I realized I could have made a nice bunch of cosmetic pouches during the time I was looking for them in my local stores. Next time I will skip the shopping, it’ll save me lots of time 🙂 Now, let’s get back to how to make this simple zipper pouch.
Supplies:
- a rectangle piece of oilcloth (or a piece of other, used waterproof material. See below for ideas!)
- one plain, standard nylon coil zipper, any size you’d need.
- useful for sewing with oilcloth: a non-stick presser foot (one like these)
A 10-Minute DIY Toiletry Bag Tutorial
1) First, cut a rectangle piece of waterproof fabric. This image will show you how:
- B = the width of the rectangle should equal the zipper size (i.e. the total length of the zipper tape!). This will be the width of the cosmetic pouch.
- A = As for the height of your zipper pouch, you have free choice. Bear in mind: if you’ll box the corners (more on that later), you’ll need a few inches more.
2) Place your fabric right-side-up on a flat surface. Then, place the zipper right-side down on the side marked ‘B’, aligned with the fabric edge. Stitch the zipper to the edge of the fabric. That is, sew one straight line.
3) Then flip the fabric over and stitch the other end of the zipper to the other ‘B’ edge of the fabric. You’ll get a nice tube like this:
See the vinyl window I used when cutting my rectangle piece? I used the opportunity to make something with a window without actually having to make it. And it also makes it easier to see what’s going on in this tutorial. (It felt a smart choice!)
4) Now make sure to UNZIP THE ZIPPER before sewing the sides! This will make it possible to turn the project right-side out.
(When taking this photo, I closed the zipper for a moment as it was easier to match the sides exactly. If you do the same, make sure you UNZIP it again before proceeding.)
BONUS TIP: If you need to fix the sides before stitching, use wonder clips like these, not pins, as pins would leave marks in the material.
That would simply mean another 2 straight stitches. It’s simple, and I promise to do a tutorial on this one, but for now, a few quick notes that might be just what you need:
If you can’t wait, it might be helpful to know that you can find detailed how-tos for boxed corners in my PDF patterns such as the KAIA Mini Bin, or the TEYA Crossbody Bag. Now, back to our toiletry bag: I love how it came out. It’s roomy enough, and practical.
That’s altogether 6 straight stitches. The most plain easy way to make a pouch, isn’t it? I would never imagine making an unlined zippy pouch could be that easy. Truth being told, the first zipper pouch I made was lined, with a rounded zipper part, and as it turned out, was not at all as quick as I had hoped. Then, it just went on with lined pouches. Everything I made was lined. Only later I discovered the joy of making tons of easy, unlined, simple straight-line zippies. Yey, how quick!!!! How quick and easy, and totally beginner friendly! So, this cosmetic pouch is one of these no-fuss zippy pouches.
Now, a question. Do you have a piece of waterproof or water repellent material lying around? Oilcloth, a used-to-be-a-bag kind of thing? Anything, You can use it to make a simple cosmetic pouch like this one, it will take you no more than 10 minutes. Try it out!
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Cucicucicoo: Eco Crafting & Sewing says
That's wonderful, Damjana! I love the window and how you repurposed something unused! 🙂 Lisa
z0fLfGKfaVUocFGPHFlJIJQQwp6719 says
Thank you Lisa!
Vicky Myers says
I love how your bag has the clear window, it's perfect:)
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Thank you, Vicky!
Pam @Threading My Way says
Clever idea, Damjana, and as always, a great tutorial. Featured today.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Thank you!