How to Make a Quilted Zipper Wristlet or Cosmetic Bag

This week's tutorial features a great beginner project especially for those of you that have never sewn a zipper into any project. I show you step-by-step how to make a quilted zipper wristlet pouch/ cosmetic bag. Great way to practice your sewing and quilting skills and they whip up pretty quick!

All you need is fabric for the outside, some batting, lining fabric, one 8" zipper, coordinating thread and your usual sewing supplies. To hold the fabric and zipper layers together you can use pins or a fabric glue stick. I prefer to use the Lapel Stick.

This tutorial has been submitted as my audition video for the My Craft Channel Fresh Faces Talent Search.

I hope you'll consider making this project yourself. If you do please share pictures of your completed projects on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CraftyGemini

Check me out at:

Crafty Gemini mobile app: available for FREE in Android market and iPhone App store
Website/Blog: http://www.craftygemini.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CraftyGemini
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CraftyGemini
Online Shop: http://www.craftygemini.bigcartel.com
Voicemail for tutorial suggestions: 73-CRAFTY-73 / (732)723-8973

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• sew
• quilt
• zipper
• cosmetic
• makeup
• bag
• pouch
• wristlet
• sewing
• quilting
• easy
• beginner
• howto
• diy
• tutorial
• making
• craft
• crafts
• pins
• lapel
• stick
• chalk
• marker
• batting
• fabric
• cotton
• fresh
• faces
• mycraftchannel
• my
• channel
• contest
• audition
• submission

[ladyynara]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I just made my first zippered item, a cute little Union Jack purse big enough for my ipod and phone and I doubt it would have come out nearly as well without your step by step clear instructions!

[TheCraftyGemini]

@ladyynara woo-hoo! That's what I like to hear. Feel free to post pictures on my Facebook page: "Crafty Gemini" Go you!

[cabrasafada]

Hi vanessa! I love your tutorial, very helpful. I have a question about the zipper. Can you sew it on without having the zipper foot? Can you sew it with a regular foot?

[TheCraftyGemini]

@cabrasafada Technically you could if you had a skinny foot or could move the needle position on your machine to get that stitch line nice and close to the teeth. Hope that helps. :o)

[ir0n2541]

Excellent, I’m taking a sewing course soon - i wonder if we can use the same process with leather instead of fabric :)

[TheCraftyGemini]

@ir0n2541 I don't see why not.. you do have to make sure you have a heavy duty machines, leather or upholstery needle, etc. It may be tough.. but it should work the same. I also wouldn't use a lightweight plastic zipper on leather..go for a more heavy duty metal one. Hope that helps.

[PMJRawls]

How do you keep the ends of the zipper from bunching???? 

[TheCraftyGemini]

@LuvMuzic21 Yes, that is the name of the product. If you do a google search for it you will find it. It doesn't hurt your machine or gum up your needle at all. It is non-toxic and specifically designed to be sewn through so it's a fab little product! I use it all the time to baste small pieces. Hope that helps! :o)

[LuvMuzic21]

Vanessa, I'm getting ready to make this project. The glue stick you're using, are you calling that a lapel stick? Does this hurt your machine in any way? Do you have any issues with your machine? Is there a build up at all? I love the fact that I wouldn't have to use pins. Thanks for your time. Dawn

[TheCraftyGemini]

@BuyAClueDude Thanks so much. Glad to help! :o)

[BuyAClueDude]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours!! Very professional!! Great tutorial. YOu made it so the zipper sewing was not so intimidating. TY again.

[TheCraftyGemini]

@missymiss209 The extra thread is going to always be there because that is where you start and stop sewing. You just have to clip those threads as you go and make sure you don't cut into the fabric when you snip them. Just part of the process.

[TheCraftyGemini]

@miriam315mary haha.. awesome! Are you like me that stays staring at it from all different directions and telling yourself.. "Wow, I can't believe I actually made this!" That is one of the best feelings.. and I'm glad my tutorials are easy for you to follow! Keep it up! :o)

[miriam315mary]

I made one of these, and I am still amazed at how professional it looks. Thank you for making sewing fun!

[missymiss209]

i'm new at sewing and is making these cometic wristlets as christmas gifts. my sewing seems so messy and not like yours. I can do the straight lines, but i seem to always have extra thread at the beginning and end of my lines. What am I doing wrong?

[TheCraftyGemini]

@DomDollx I'll add your suggestion to my list of tutorials to do. Thanks!

[DomDollx]

can you do a tutorial with table cloth material? So the bag would be water proof? it's kind of hard to sow weird materials that's not meant to be sewn by consumers... thanks! :) ps: this was great!

[TheCraftyGemini]

@SrebrnaAkacja No problem! Let me know how it goes for you. You can always post pics to our facebook age too. We love to see everyone's projects there. facebook(dot)com/craftygemini

[SrebrnaAkacja]

I'll be making this today! sooo excited :) thank you thank you thank you!

[TheCraftyGemini]

@annekhalid Yes.  You sew through the zipper on the ends but make sure you are using one that does NOT have the metal teeth... Otherwise you would have to sew it by hand.

[annekhalid]

hi..just asking do u sew through the zipper..can u show how to sew through the zipper..i had trouble sewing that part...how did u do it?help me please..tq in advance..

[TheCraftyGemini]

@SuchaCaligrrl I'll add your suggestion to my list of tutorials to do. Thanks for the suggestion. :o)

[SuchaCaligrrl]

Hi Vanessa, I'm hoping you can help me. I find that your tutorials are dummy proof =-). I have been searching for the easiest video on how to sew on a front zipper (on pants skirts shorts) can you do a tutorial of one. Thank you.

[TheCraftyGemini]

@PetLover4Eva I bet she will!! Good for you for giving it a try! :o)

[PetLover4Eva]

you are SOOO easy to understand. it worked but i am 12 so probebly need a little more skill it worked and i hope my mum likes it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks