Christmas Make up Bags

The title suggests I make holiday bags. Wrong.  Every year I try and make my two girl cousins something for Christmas.  It doesn't always happen, but this year it did!! I made two make up bags or coin purses or wallets or whatever have you.  I used my new favorite pattern, the chevron pattern!  I got the fabric on my last NYC trip. I visited the infamous Mood Fabric Store.  They definitely have a lot of fabric and they definitely had what I was looking for.  

I know what you are thinking, "What is up with the cheesy lining??"  It's actually our grandma's fabric.  I'm giving it that sentimental touch. BAM.

Step 1:  My zipper is an 8" zipper so the width of the fabric should be 9".  The length can be whatever length you desire.  You don't have to do a lining, but I did. So the lining should match the dimensions of your exterior fabric.

 Step 2: Flip the zipper backwards facing the right side of your material. Use a zipper foot and sew along the matching edge.

Step 3: On the other side of the zipper sew exactly how you did with Step 2.

Your end result should look like this.

Step 5: If you are doing a lining, line up the the lining right side facing the wrong side of the outside fabric.  Then stitch along the edge.

Step 6: Do the same as step 5 with the other lining.

Step 7: Leave the zipper half open and then match up the two exterior fabric.  Do the same with the lining and pin all around.  Leave a 2 inch gap on the lining when you sew all the way around.  You'll need this gap to flip your material inside out.

Step 8 (optional):  To gussy up your bag you can create a gusset. Spread the edges outwards as in the picture and ink a line how deep you want your gusset.  I did a 1 1/2 inch gusset.  Your corner should look like a triangle with your line.  Sew where you created the line. 

Step 9:  Cut off the excess and leave half an inch.

So here you have it, with and without a gusset.  Oh, don't forget to sew up the 2 inch hole you have in the lining. =)