How to neatly sew a zipper into a cosmetic bag

Sewing a simple cosmetic bag is manageable for beginners, but inserting the zipper neatly can be tricky. This method uses zipper strips to hide the fastening inside the bag and avoid bulky side edges.

Build the bag

Cut the bag as a rectangle, fold it in half and sew the side seams. Make the lining the same way and join it to the bag with the seam inside.

Attach the strip

Measure the top edge and cut a zipper strip of the same length, adding 1.5 cm for turning. The strip is 3 cm wide. Pin it to the zipper and trim excess zipper length so it does not thicken the seams.

Sew in the zipper

Align the open edge of the bag with the strip, pin and stitch. Finish the edge with a binding strip folded in half: sew it to the right side, turn it over and hand-stitch the inside invisibly. The zipper is ready with no protruding edges.