How to make a cosmetic pouch (stand-up)

1. Materials & tools

Materials (standard size)

• Main fabric (quilted cotton, canvas or oxford) — about 50 × 40 cm (20 × 16 in)
• Lining fabric (light cotton or water-repellent fabric) — the same amount
• Heavy fusible interfacing — for the main fabric (not needed with quilted fabric)
• Zip — about 2 cm (¾ in) longer than the opening

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Bags” → “Cosmetic pouch (stand-up)” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the opening width, base width, height and base depth. Presets cover small, standard and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the body (a trapezoid) and the base (a rectangle).
2. Cut
   Cut two body pieces and one base, in both main and lining.
3. Apply interfacing
   Unless you are using quilted fabric, fuse heavy interfacing to the main pieces.

4. Sewing

4-1. Insert the zip

1. Lay the zip right sides together on the top edge of one body piece, add the lining on top, and sew all three layers.
2. Open the fabrics away and topstitch close to the teeth.
3. Attach the second body piece to the other side of the zip the same way.

4-2. Sew the sides

1. Open the zip halfway — with it closed you cannot turn the pouch afterwards.
2. Arrange main against main and lining against lining, right sides together, and sew the sloping side edges.
3. The sides are angled, so line the top corners up carefully before sewing or the pouch will be lopsided.

4-3. Attach the base

1. Pin the base to the lower edges, right sides together, matching the four corners first.
2. Sew all the way around, turning the work at each corner with the needle down.
3. Attach the lining base the same way, leaving an 8 cm (3 in) gap in one edge.

4-4. Turn and finish

1. Turn everything through the gap in the lining.
2. Close the gap, push the lining inside and shape the corners.
3. Check it stands up and that the opening falls open when unzipped.

✏️ Match the four corners of the base before you sew any of it. The lengths work out exactly on paper, but sewing from one end without matching the corners leaves you with fabric spare at the far end every time.

5. Tips & variations

• Quilted fabric is the shortcut: it skips the interfacing step entirely and stands just as well.
• Wipe-clean lining: laminate or coated nylon means a leaked bottle is not a disaster.
• Zip length: 2 cm longer than the opening, or the metal stops land inside the side seam.