Mika Toiletry Bag
Sew a roomy travel toiletry bag with a wide opening so your essentials stay visible and easy to reach. Add a zippered lid, interior organizers, and a strap option for closing, carrying, or hanging it.
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
A travel toiletry bag for places with no counter space
The Mika Toiletry Bag is designed for real travel bathrooms: small sinks, no shelf, and nowhere convenient to set your things down. Its wide base gives it useful capacity and stability, while the generous opening helps you see what is inside without emptying the whole bag.
The design balances organization and flexibility, with interior pockets for small bottles, samples, and travel essentials; a zippered lid pocket for flat items; and strap and hardware options so you can close it, carry it, or hang it when needed.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Construct a toiletry bag with volume, a stable base, and a main zipper.
- Sew a flap with a zippered pocket for storing flat pieces.
- Create interior organizers with dividers and capacity for small items.
- Choose between batting, interfacing, or a lighter finish depending on the structure you want to achieve.
- Handle bottoms and corners with clean finishes, even when there are multiple layers.
- Work with thicknesses more confidently, using appropriate needles and a walking foot when helpful.
Fabrics, structure, and supplies
The sample pairs a structured outer fabric, such as linen, canvas, or sturdy cotton, with a poplin lining. For a firmer result, you can use fusible batting or interfacing, adapting the support to your fabric and machine.
The project uses a main zipper, a zipper for the lid, and optional hardware such as tabs, a snap hook, and a slider to customize how the toiletry bag closes, carries, or hangs.
Ways to make it your own
You can sew the Mika Toiletry Bag with or without the lid, add organizers on both sides, use only one side, or keep the inside more open. The dividers can also be adapted with more volume, a flatter finish, or a layout that suits what you like to pack.
The outer strap offers several possibilities: make it short or adjustable, use it to hold the lid closed, carry the bag from the side, or hang it from a hook. You can also play with visible quilting, contrast fabrics, hardware finishes, and added closures such as Velcro or a sew-on magnetic snap.
Size and capacity
The finished toiletry bag measures approximately 22 cm wide, 13 cm high, and 10 cm deep, or about 8.7 x 5.1 x 3.9 inches. It is compact enough for travel, while the wide base makes room for a useful set of personal-care items.
The interior organizers are ideal for samples, small fragrances, travel shampoo bottles, or essential oils. The lid pocket works best for flatter items such as masks, eye patches, medication, or small documents.
What’s included in the class
Inside the membership, you’ll find the complete video class for sewing the Mika Toiletry Bag, with guidance on structure, zippers, organizers, the lid, clean finishes, and strap options for closing or hanging.
You’ll also get the downloadable PDF pattern with the project pieces, approximate finished size, materials, and preparation notes, plus helpful links to foundational sewing resources for supporting techniques such as quilting or making an adjustable strap.
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