Learn to make a unique fabric toiletry bag to gift to that special someone

03/10/2023

As Mother’s Day approaches this year we want to share step-by-step instructions on how to create this original fabric toiletry bag. This unique piece, with a zip fastening and useful hanging strap, is a lot easier to make than it looks, thanks to the designer @costuras_anabel_diy and her detailed video tutorial.

There’s no denying that mum’s love anything and everything handmade. Remember being a kid and how happy your mum, or mother-figure, was when you brought them something artsy you made at school? Or gave them homemade cards? 

Now, in time for Mother’s Day, you can make them something functional they’ll actually use, but with the same kind of personal touch. 

The materials & tools you’ll need to complete this project are:

• Free toiletry case pattern
• 19 5/8” (50 cm) for the exterior flower-print Poplin fabric
• 19 5/8” (50 cm) for the lining, flaps, and sides waterproof block-colour antibacterial fabric
• Thermo-adhesive interlining
• Magnetic snap fastener for the flap
• Zip 
• 1 metal D ring measuring from 5/8” to 3/4″ (15 mm to 20 mm)
• Small swivel snap hook
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Tailor’s chalk
• Pins
• Matching sewing thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Recommendations and useful information for your toiletry bag project.

The fabric we recommend is linked in the list above.

• It’s a good idea to use waterproof fabric for the lining/interior of the bag.
• To make this bag Anabel used: Freedom flowers Poplin fabric or any flowers Poplin fabric for the exterior & Poplin Solid Color Fabric for the lining, flaps, and sides (to complement the flower print).
• She also chose the zip in a colour that matches the bag.
• The original language of the video narration is Spanish – if this isn’t a language you understand we recommend turning on subtitles. Below the video we’ve included instructions on how.
• YouTube’s automatic translations can sometimes have errors (eg. names of stitches), just make sure to watch the video itself as carefully as you can.
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel and click on the bell icon to get notifications about our new video tutorials and tips.

Video tutorial: How to make a fabric toiletry bag

 How to set up subtitles in your language:

1. Click on the Subtitles icon to turn them on.
2. Then click on the Settings icon (to the right).
3. Click on Subtitles/CC (1) – you’ll see Spanish (auto -generated) is automatically selected
4. Click on Auto translate
5. Select your language

Step-by-step instructions

1. Cut out all the pieces of the exterior fabric.
2. Cut out the lining pieces.
3. Attach the magnetic snap fastener and sew the toiletry case flap.
4. Sew the flap to the main piece and then sew the sides.
5. Insert the zip as shown in the video.
6. Place the upper piece on the toiletry case to sew around the whole contour/edge.
7. Sew the lining pieces to join them to the toiletry case – leave a few centimetres unsewn at one of the sides to turn the toiletry case inside out.
8. Turn the toiletry case inside out (to the right side) and sew the opening closed.
9. Make the hanging strap: fold the fabric as if it were a bias tape, introduce the swivel snap hook and then sew the ends of the fabric. 
10. Sew all around the contour.

Now it’s ready to wrap up and gift to your mum or mother-figure! They’re going to love it!