Debbie Shore’s DIY Travel Make Up Organizer

Getting ready to go on holiday? Whilst taking a week or two off work to go adventuring is a real treat… packing your suitcase beforehand can be a bit of a chore! Which is why we’ve got a fabulous little sewing project from Debbie Shore to help you get organised for your trip – and stay organised throughout your holiday! This handy little travel make up organizer is a fantastic way for you to prep everything you need to take away with you… and leave behind the things you won’t need (saving valuable suitcase space!) Simply select your make up essentials, pop them in this lovely little make up case, and relax, knowing that nothing will get spilt, snapped or broken during your journey!

Finished size:

• 8 ½” x 7” x 5”
• Use a ¼” seam allowance

You Will Need:

• 12” x 16” outer fabric
• 32” x 17” contrast fabric
• Fusible fleece
• 12” zip
• 3 x 11” strips of elastic
• 48” ribbon
• A3 sheet of paper, pen and ruler
• 9” circle template
• Strong wet fabric glue
• Erasable marking pen

How to Make a Travel Make Up Organizer:

Keep your make up and brushes organised in this stylish case… or why not make two, and use one for a pencil case?

Step 1:

To make the zip pouch pattern, draw a rectangle measuring 10” x 14”.

Step 2:

Mark each side of the rectangle as in the photo, 1 ¾” from the top and bottom, then 3 ½” from these marks.

Step 3:

Measure 1 ¾” at right angles from each mark, join the 3 ½” marks together. Cut out the shape.

Step 4:

Use your pattern to cut one outer and one contrast piece. Fuse fleece to the wrong side of the outer piece.

Step 5:

Fold the ends of the contrast fabric over by ¼” and press.

Step 6:

Fold so that the folded edges are facing each other, then sew the short ends together; there will be a gap in between the folded edges of ½”.

Step 7:

Pull the cut-out corners open so the seam is in the centre, and sew to form the box shape.

Step 8:

Sew the zip, facing downwards, to the right side of one end of the outer fabric.

Step 9:

Sew the remaining side of the zip to the opposite end of the fabric to form a tube.

Step 10:

Sew the short ends right sides together with the zip in the centre. Trim the zip if necessary.

Step 11:

Box the corners as you did with the lining.

Step 12:

Drop the outer section inside the lining, wrong sides together, and hand-sew the lining around the zip.

Step 13:

Turn the right side out.

Step 14:

Cut two contrast pieces of fabric measuring 16 ½” x 9”. Use your 9” circle template to round off each end. Fuse fleece to the wrong side of one piece.

Step 15:

Mark the centre of the padded piece. Place the zipped case over this line and mark its position with your erasable marker. Lay the elastic strips evenly across the centre, secure the ends with a small dot of glue.

Step 16:

Mark, then sew straight lines 2 ½” and 4” each side of the centre line. Cut two strips of ribbon and sew over the ends of the elastic to make tidy.

Step 17:

Cut two 12” lengths of ribbon and sew, facing inwards, to the centre of each curved end.

Step 18:

Sew the two contrast pieces right sides together, leaving a turning gap in one side of about 3”. Make sure the ribbon ties are out of the way of the seam! Snip into the seam allowance around the curves, [pinking shears are ideal] turn the right side out, and press. Edge stitch all the way round.

Step 19:

Place the zipped section over the centre mark and secure with a little wet glue. When the glue is dry, hand sew in place.

Step 20:

Thread a piece of ribbon through the zip pull.

Step 21:

Tie the ribbons in a bow to finish, and your travel make up organizer is ready for use!

Love this gorgeous sewing project? We’ve loads more for you to sink your sewing machine into right here on the blog!