How to Sew a Boxy Makeup Bag with a Zipper (Beginner-Friendly!)

If you’ve been looking for a fun, quick sewing project that’s both practical and cute — you’re in the right place. This beginner-friendly boxy makeup bag is one of my best-selling patterns, and for good reason! It’s perfect for storing makeup, toiletries, travel items, or even quilting notions.

Whether you’re brand new to sewing or just want a satisfying finish-in-a-day kind of project, this tutorial will walk you through every step — from quilting your fabric to adding boxed corners with French seams. And yes, we cover the zipper (with tabs!) in a way that feels doable, even if zippers have scared you in the past.

👇 Watch the full tutorial here:

✨ What You'll Learn:

In the video, I show you how to:

Prep your quilted fabric

Attach a nylon zipper (including instructions on how to add a zipper pull!)

Sew boxed corners with French seams (for a polished, raw-edge-free finish)

Assemble a beautifully structured pouch in three different sizes

🧵 About the Pattern

This project is based on my Basic Boxy Zipper Pouch Pattern, which includes four sizes to suit your needs:

Mini: 3” x 2.5” x 1.5”

Small: 5” x 3.5” x 3.5”

Medium: 7” x 4.5” x 4.5”

Large: 9” x 5.5” x 5.5”

All sizes are included in the printable PDF pattern, along with easy-to-follow written instructions — perfect for sewists of all levels.

👉 [Insert pattern link here once ready]

🧷 Materials You’ll Need

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need for each size:

Small (5” x 3.5” x 3.5”)

Fabric A:
(2) 9" x 7-1/2"
(2) 3" x 2.5"

Fabric B:
(2) 9" x 7-1/2"

Batting or Fusible Interfacing
(2) 9" x 7-1/2"

Zipper: 9" #3 nylon zipper with pull

Cut-out size: 1-1/4”

Medium (7” x 5.5” x 3.5”)

Fabric A: (2) 12” x 9-1/2” + (2) 3” x 2-1/2”

Fabric B: (2) 12” x 9-1/2”

Batting: (2) 12” x 9-1/2”

Zipper: 12" #3 nylon zipper with pull

Cut-out size: 1-3/4”

Large (9” x 7.5” x 3.5”)

Fabric A: (2) 15” x 11-1/2” + (2) 3” x 2-1/2”

Fabric B: (2) 15” x 11-1/2”

Batting: (2) 15” x 11-1/2”

Zipper: 15" #3 nylon zipper with pull

Cut-out size: 2-1/4”

✨ I used my Brother SE1900 for this project — you can find more of my favourite sewing tools here.

💛 Why You'll Love This Project

This boxy zipper pouch is a great project for scrap busting, gift-making, or just treating yourself to something handmade and useful. It’s beginner-friendly, but the end result looks crisp and professional thanks to the French seams and structured quilting. Once you make one… you might not want to stop!

📌 Pin it for later!
Don’t forget to save this project to your sewing Pinterest board so you can come back to it anytime.

 

📧 Want more beginner sewing projects? Subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram @milkandhoneyquilt.co for tutorials, sneak peeks, and creative ideas.

Thanks for sewing with me!
Let’s make something beautiful together. ✨