Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Cutest Cosmetics Bags Ever!

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I had so much fun making this little bag!  So much fun that I made another one!

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The pattern for the bags is one by Terri Atkinson called Zippy Strippy.  It is so darn cute I can hardly stand it.  Of course, the Bliss fabric I am using doesn't hurt as far as the cuteness factor is concerned.

As is typical of any Terri Atkinson pattern, the instructions are super simple and clear, with lots of side bar tips from Terri to make construction go even smoother.  I am going to make scads of these bags to give as gifts this holiday season.  The size is perfect for an in handbag cosmetics organizer–one could easily fit in a couple of lipsticks, a blush or powder compact, an eyeshadow and some brushes.

The first bag took me less than an hour, and that was considering the learning curve.  The second one was done in about a half hour, including cutting everything out! 

If you buy the pattern (and I highly recommend that you do), be sure to follow Terri's little side bar tips.  She recommends that you use your walking foot for one of the steps, which I ignored on the first bag.  I followed her advice and put the walking foot on for the second bag, and she was right, the results were better.  She also says to use your zipper foot if you want.  I didn't on the first bag, and when I put the zipper foot on for the second bag, the zipper turned out way better.

The only thing I am on the fence about is whether or not to add the little button embellishment.  What do you think?  Would a cute little button add something, or is the bag better without it?

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68 responses to “Cutest Cosmetics Bags Ever!”

  1. The button adds a nice touch. And you can get so many different buttons now. I would add the button to make it special.

  2. The button adds a nice touch. And you can get so many different buttons now. I would add the button to make it special.

  3. Buttons! LOTS of buttons…can’t ever have too many buttons! These are so cute!! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Buttons! LOTS of buttons…can’t ever have too many buttons! These are so cute!! Thanks for sharing!

  5. I’ve noticed too that reading the instructions always makes things easier. 😉
    Love your cute little bags and love the button… Let’s see more.

  6. I’ve noticed too that reading the instructions always makes things easier. 😉
    Love your cute little bags and love the button… Let’s see more.

  7. I think buttons are a pain but it does add so much to the cute little bag! Do the buttons!
    Marsha

  8. I think buttons are a pain but it does add so much to the cute little bag! Do the buttons!
    Marsha

  9. Buttons are the icing on the cake. Your bags are very pretty and will make great gifts. Keep the pics coming.

  10. Buttons are the icing on the cake. Your bags are very pretty and will make great gifts. Keep the pics coming.

  11. Buttons, yes! Those bags are so cute. I do believe I will be off to find that pattern. I don’t like zippers, but I’ll trust you that it’s easy!

  12. Buttons, yes! Those bags are so cute. I do believe I will be off to find that pattern. I don’t like zippers, but I’ll trust you that it’s easy!

  13. I didnt’ like the button so much, but maybe if it was a smaller button, or some other cute little decorative item, center a few in the top stripe, that might look nicer, at least, that’s what I’d like to see! I might have to try making one and do that myself!

  14. I didnt’ like the button so much, but maybe if it was a smaller button, or some other cute little decorative item, center a few in the top stripe, that might look nicer, at least, that’s what I’d like to see! I might have to try making one and do that myself!

  15. Oh I like the button – adds a little something. LOL
    Very cute bags, Nicole. I’m seriously bagophobic and zipperphobic but I might have to try this pattern.

  16. Oh I like the button – adds a little something. LOL
    Very cute bags, Nicole. I’m seriously bagophobic and zipperphobic but I might have to try this pattern.

  17. I like the button, but not enough to stress over whether I could find just the right one. It’s darling without the button as well. If you can find some fun ones that work with your fabric, I’d use them.

  18. I like the button, but not enough to stress over whether I could find just the right one. It’s darling without the button as well. If you can find some fun ones that work with your fabric, I’d use them.

  19. Seems like the buttons have it! LOL! I always avoid projects like this but with cosmetic bags at a premium and so much fabric sitting in my closet… I think I might need to venture into this unknown land. BTW: I think the button gives it a finished look. I was thinking you could even set a fabric flower in place of the button to give it some dimension. Either way it’s cute!

  20. Seems like the buttons have it! LOL! I always avoid projects like this but with cosmetic bags at a premium and so much fabric sitting in my closet… I think I might need to venture into this unknown land. BTW: I think the button gives it a finished look. I was thinking you could even set a fabric flower in place of the button to give it some dimension. Either way it’s cute!

  27. Those are so darn cute! I think the bag would work either way, with or without the buttons. Tend to think as Nancy above, that the button may catch on things in my purse and that may become irritating. Some different flat embellishments may do the trick!

  28. Those are so darn cute! I think the bag would work either way, with or without the buttons. Tend to think as Nancy above, that the button may catch on things in my purse and that may become irritating. Some different flat embellishments may do the trick!

  29. I think the bag is cute on it’s own. I’m with Nancy, the button could be annoying. If you want embellishment, how about yo-yos, or a bow? A covered button in coordinating fabric might be okay if you really like the button idea.

  30. I think the bag is cute on it’s own. I’m with Nancy, the button could be annoying. If you want embellishment, how about yo-yos, or a bow? A covered button in coordinating fabric might be okay if you really like the button idea.

  31. These are adorable! I’ve made a lot of little bags, but these are way cute…and look faster than the ones I currently make!

  32. These are adorable! I’ve made a lot of little bags, but these are way cute…and look faster than the ones I currently make!

  35. Love the button!!!! I would add buttons or even maybe a yo-yo with a button in the center made out of coordinating fabric.
    Love the bags!

  36. Love the button!!!! I would add buttons or even maybe a yo-yo with a button in the center made out of coordinating fabric.
    Love the bags!

  37. No button, it would get caught on things in your purse and possibly tear. But some thread play on the fabric before piecing? Definitely. Couch some metallics, use some fancy stitches with rayon threads, yes!

  38. No button, it would get caught on things in your purse and possibly tear. But some thread play on the fabric before piecing? Definitely. Couch some metallics, use some fancy stitches with rayon threads, yes!

  39. Oh Nicole, I think you hit the jackpot for a great gift idea!! The bags turned out so cute and nice to hear they are easy to make. I like the bag either way–but as someone else mentioned, a little yo-yo would be sweet. If you go to Terry Atkinson’s blog, on 10-01-10 she posted a free pattern for a zippered bag for tissues or it could be used for anything small. I haven’t tried it yet but hearing of your success makes me want to get in there and try it out. Thank you for your blog–I too love to embroidery and am a fan of Crabapple patterns and Bird Brain Designs. Hey, just an idea…a small embroidered flower or design may also work on the cosmetic bag…?? I am sure whatever you decide, it will look perfect, like your work always does. Have fun!!
    Beverly in WA state

  40. Oh Nicole, I think you hit the jackpot for a great gift idea!! The bags turned out so cute and nice to hear they are easy to make. I like the bag either way–but as someone else mentioned, a little yo-yo would be sweet. If you go to Terry Atkinson’s blog, on 10-01-10 she posted a free pattern for a zippered bag for tissues or it could be used for anything small. I haven’t tried it yet but hearing of your success makes me want to get in there and try it out. Thank you for your blog–I too love to embroidery and am a fan of Crabapple patterns and Bird Brain Designs. Hey, just an idea…a small embroidered flower or design may also work on the cosmetic bag…?? I am sure whatever you decide, it will look perfect, like your work always does. Have fun!!
    Beverly in WA state

  41. Very cute and fun. I like Terri’s patterns too. She puts a lot of info into them. I like it best without the button.

  42. Very cute and fun. I like Terri’s patterns too. She puts a lot of info into them. I like it best without the button.

  43. Nicole just love the bags !! Yes definetly buttons would be just the finishing touch for these adorable bags ! What great xmas gifts !

  44. Nicole just love the bags !! Yes definetly buttons would be just the finishing touch for these adorable bags ! What great xmas gifts !

  47. I commented earlier saying I was going off to get the pattern. And I did! And I bought 4 zippers to get started! No need to buy fabric…..like everyone I have a closet full!

  48. I commented earlier saying I was going off to get the pattern. And I did! And I bought 4 zippers to get started! No need to buy fabric…..like everyone I have a closet full!

  53. I love your little bags! What a fun gift to receive. The button adds something special but you could add anything you want. A little charm, a fabric flower – whatever makes your heart sing. Or, a bag without anything added is great. Think I’m going to get that pattern and make a few of these – including one for me!
    ~Adrienne~

  54. I love your little bags! What a fun gift to receive. The button adds something special but you could add anything you want. A little charm, a fabric flower – whatever makes your heart sing. Or, a bag without anything added is great. Think I’m going to get that pattern and make a few of these – including one for me!
    ~Adrienne~

  57. I think the button looks really cute. But if I were using the little bag inside my purse, would worry that it would get snagged on something as I take it out or put it away. Just a thought.

  58. I think the button looks really cute. But if I were using the little bag inside my purse, would worry that it would get snagged on something as I take it out or put it away. Just a thought.

  59. How about a very cute embroidery stitch along the seam between the top panel and the strips! I know an embroidery teacher who could help you come up with something pretty cute!! LOL

  60. How about a very cute embroidery stitch along the seam between the top panel and the strips! I know an embroidery teacher who could help you come up with something pretty cute!! LOL

  67. Very cute. I like the button! Looks similiar to the bags I’ve made recently…see my most recent post for my favorite….

  68. Very cute. I like the button! Looks similiar to the bags I’ve made recently…see my most recent post for my favorite….