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    Home » DIY Projects

    Snap Bag Simple Tutorial for Makeup Brushes and More

    by Patti Estep · Aug 14, 2019

    Jump to How-to Card

    See how to easily make a simple snap bag in different sizes that you can use for your makeup brushes or anything you want with scrap fabric.

    Snap bags for makeup brushes

    Another use for your scrap materials. I seem to have an endless supply of pretty fabric that I'll probably never use for that quilt I originally bought it for. 

    Sometimes you just have a fair amount of material left over from a project and this tutorial for making snap bags could be used with that scrap fabric too.

    It's the kind of thing you might call thrifty, and just in time for this month's Thrifty Team challenge. Stop by and see what other thrifty ideas the team has created at the end of this post.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Snap bags supplies

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    My inspiration for this project came from a need to have a separate bag for my makeup brushes. I'm always worried that something will spill and ruin the brushes when we travel. And for some reason, the other bags I have that are smaller are not wide enough for my brushes.

    Measuring tape piece on fabric

    The key to these bags is using a piece of metal tape measure that will snap closed when shut.

    Bent edge tape measurer

    You probably have one lying around the house or you can try looking at the dollar store or flea market. I actually purchased this tape measure for a small amount of money. I figured it would be worth it if I end up making several bags. 

    TIP: Make sure you crimp or tape the end of the tape after you cut the first strip or the rest will zip back into the casing. It happened to me and I had to take the whole thing apart and put it back together. As you can see from the image above I bent the end with some pliers to prevent it from scooting back inside. A piece of duct tape or masking tape a little wider than the tape would probably work too.

    How to Make a Snap Bag

    Decide how big you want your bag to be.  I wanted mine to be at about 8 inches wide and 5 inches tall.

    • Take your desired width and add 1 inch. (for a 1/2 inch seam on each side) For me, 8 + 1 = 9 inches
    • Next, measure your height and double it. (5 x 2 = 10 inches) Then add 2 more inches for the channels that you will thread your tape into. (10 + 2 = 12 inches)
    • Cut a piece of the metal measuring tape the same as the desired width or slightly shorter.

    Sliding metal tape piece in channel

    Next, turn over an inch of fabric to the wrong side and sew across making a channel.

    Slide the piece of the metal measuring tape into the channel with the convex or rounded side up.

    Sew sides right sides together

    Repeat on the other end. Then fold in half with right sides together and sew side seams just outside the measuring tape.

    Two snap bags

    Flip right side out and enjoy.

    View inside snap bag

    My brushes fit well in this bag and I still have room for more.

    Snap bags with makeup brushes

    I also made a small snap bag with a cute coordinating pattern. I think they will make nice gifts at the holidays.

    Patti signature


    P.S. You may also like these fun little Fabric Card Holders or these DIY Luggage Tags. Find them and many more basic sewing ideas on my DIY Projects Page.

     

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!Snap bags from scrap fabric

     

    Thrifty style team logo

     

    Thrifty ideas to create saving moneyLet's see what the other fabulous Thrifty Style Team designers have created!

      • DIY Rose Wedding Bouquet  by Redhead Can Decorate
      • 7 Thrifty Fall Decor Ideas    by 2 Bees in a Pod
      • DIY Trophy Bookends  by Salvage Sister and Mister
      • Snap Bag Simple Tutorial for Makeup Brushes and More  by Hearth and Vine
      • Plain Wood Crates, Stained & Lettered  by Bliss Ranch
      • Repurposed Drawers for Storage and Display  by DIY Beautify
      • Shabby Chic Farmhouse Hutch Makeover  by The How to Home
      • French Lavender Linen Spray  by I Should be Mopping the Floor
      • Cheap No Sew Curtain for the RV   by Chatfield Court
      • DIY Boxwood Wreath  by Creekline House
      • Updated Painted Metal Lanterns  by Cottage at the Crossroads
      • Thrifty String Art Made With Embroidery Hoops  by Meegan Makes
      • When an Idea is Worth the Risk by Duke Manor Farm
    Supplies for makeup brush roll bag
    Print

    Snap Bag Simple Tutorial for Makeup Brushes and More

    Learn how to make a useful snap bag in different sizes. This is perfect for makeup brushes or anything you want with scrap fabric.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Active Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Crafts
    Yield: 1 Bag
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • Scissors

    Materials

    • Fabric - cut to the size you want
    • Metal tape measure

    Instructions

    • Take your desired width of fabric and add 1 inch.
    • Measure your height and double it.
    • Add 2 more inches for the channels that you will thread your tape into.
    • Cut a piece of the metal measuring tape the same as the desired width.
    • Turn over an inch of fabric to the wrong side and sew across making a channel.
    • Slide the piece of the metal measuring tape into the channel with the convex side up.
    • Repeat on the other end.
    • Fold in half with right sides together and sew side seams just outside the measuring tape.
    • Flip right side out and enjoy!
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam H.

      March 16, 2023 at 4:48 am

      Do you think using fabric glue would work for thses bags?
      What is your favorite fabric glue?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 16, 2023 at 9:20 am

        Pam, I haven't tried it for this project but I do think it would work. I'm not sure if it will last for years and years but it's worth a try. I've used Aleene's fabric glue before and I think Gorilla has a fabric glue that might be good to try too.

        Reply
    2. Julie Briones

      August 19, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      This is so stinkin' smart, Patti! And such an easy tutorial for a make-up brush snap bag. I would have NEVER thought of this! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 19, 2019 at 2:09 pm

        Thanks Julie. There are so many ways you could go with it. Plus you can put your scrap fabric to work.

        Reply
    3. Deborah Sommerlot

      August 17, 2019 at 10:20 am

      💡😲💡😲👌 FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Reply
    4. Kristi @ Chatfield Court

      August 17, 2019 at 12:48 am

      What a great idea, Patty! We have lots of old tape measures waiting for a new use. They may just end up as Christmas gifts for the family.

      Reply
    5. laura janning

      August 16, 2019 at 6:12 am

      what a great way to use unused fabric. this would be perfect in a handbag as well! thanks for the inspo!

      Reply
    6. Meegan

      August 15, 2019 at 10:35 pm

      Very clever, Patti! I think these are such great gift ideas for my grand daughters. They will have so much fun filling them up with all their bit and bobs .

      Reply
    7. Julie

      August 15, 2019 at 5:44 pm

      Omg! On our trip my make up bag was a nightmare!! This is a perfect solution! I love it Patti! The measuring tape in there is genius!

      Reply
    8. Jane Windham

      August 15, 2019 at 5:09 pm

      This is genius, Patti! We have many extra measuring tapes just waiting to be put to good use!

      Reply
    9. Cindy

      August 15, 2019 at 10:11 am

      What a smart idea Patti, these are great! I love that you can customize the size to fit your specific items!

      Reply
    10. Kristi Dominguez

      August 14, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      I love this idea, Patti! So clever and functional! You're going to have me rootin' around looking for an old tape measure now, lol! It's always so fun learning great ideas from you and they others on the Thrifty Style Team! xoxo

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 15, 2019 at 6:58 am

        Thanks Kristi. It always surprises me to see what great ideas everyone has on the Team too.

        Reply
    11. Mary Beth

      August 14, 2019 at 9:32 am

      This is seriously the coolest! I love to sew but hate to sew in zippers. I honestly can't wait to try this and I may make some of these for Christmas gifts.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 14, 2019 at 10:13 am

        I hate putting it zipper too Mary Beth. This is a whole new world. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Courtenay @ The Creek Line House

      August 14, 2019 at 9:01 am

      What?? This has to be the most clever use of a tape measure ever! So neat!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 14, 2019 at 10:13 am

        I know right? So many possibilities are going through my head.

        Reply
    13. Bliss

      August 14, 2019 at 8:24 am

      Should I take a picture of my husbands face when I tell him to save his broken tape measures for me? I request a lot of him, but that would be a first. But how can I let him get rid of them now that I know they are useful in the afterlife?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 14, 2019 at 10:12 am

        Definitely take a pic and I'll share it on here. 😉

        Reply

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