Cosmetic Hold-all

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 95, Issue 6, 16 December 1957, Page 614

Cosmetic Hold-all

By

ELEANOR COUSTON,

Home Science Extension Officer, Department of Agriculture, Christchurch

A WELCOME gift for Christmas, a birthday, or a traveller or bride-to-be, a quilted cosmetic hold-all is simple to make and reasonable in cost. Two can be made from 2/3yd. of 36in. material, but if 27in. or 30in. material is used, the same amount will be required for one. A suitable choice is glazed chintz, good-quality sateen, or a firm, polished cotton similar to that in the illustration. OTHER materials required are plastic or waterproofed cotton for lining, dressmaker’s padding, butter muslin, slide fastener (9 jin.), and cardboard (lOin. x 4in.).

The pattern: Cut out a paper pattern (Diagram 1), 18in. x 15in., with sections 3in. x 2in. removed from the centre of each of the longer sides. This allows for jin. seam at the sides and round the cut-out sections, and fin. for the turn-in and hem on each top piece. Mark in the lettering as shown in the diagram. Cutting the material: Cut or tear a rectangular piece of the outer material 19in. x 16in. This is larger than the pattern to allow for a decrease in size due to quilting. Do not cut out the side sections until the material has been quilted. Cut the dressmaker’s padding jin. less all round than the outer material; that is, 18in. x 15in. The seams will then be less bulky when the bag is stitched together. Strip off the top layer of padding so that, the piece to be used is about a half to a third of the original thickness. Cut a rectangular piece of butter muslin the same size as the outer material. Quilting: Mark in the guiding lines for quiliting on the right side of the covering material with tailor’s chalk or lightly in pencil. To do this determine the true bias of the material and draw a line as shown in Diagram 2. If the machine has a quilting foot with a guide, one line only need be marked. If it has not, lines parallel to the first one should be marked off 1 jin. apart. To complete the pattern mark in the transverse lines, starting from the opposite corner of the material. Lay the outer covering material face downward on a table. Place the dressmaker’s padding over this, jin. seam allowance being left all round. Then place the butter muslin on top of the padding. Pin into place and baste all

three thicknesses firmly together. Turn to the right side and quilt, the guiding lines previously marked on the covering material being followed. The next step: When the quilting is completed the paper pattern should be placed on top and the work cut out to the size of the pattern, the side sections being removed at the same time. Cut. the lining material from the pattern also. To make the handles cut two strips of material each 14in. x 2in. Turn in {■in. on one side of each strip and fold so that the stitching will run through the centre of the handles. If a strip of dressmaker’s padding is placed inside the handles, they will be firmer. Making up: Follow the lettering on the pattern. Cut a piece of mediumweight cardboard lOin. x 4in. and stitch this in place along the base of the bag with the 4in. ends toward the cut-out side sections, but leaving the sin. seam allowance clear. Stitch sides A and Al together. Stitch sides B and Bl together. Press seams open.

Sew the handles on to the outside o f the bag about 4Jin. from the sides and 2Jin. from the top.

To make the squared ends of the bag fold the corners and stitch D, DI to C and E, El to Cl. Turn in the hem all round the top of the bag, using the fin. hem allowance. Make up the lining in the same way and place inside the bag. Use paper clips instead of pins to hold in position. Place the slide fastener in the centre, leaving the ends of the bag open. Stitch cover, lining, and slide fastener into position. At both ends of the slide fastener stitch the covering material with a few firm stitches; then tuck the open ends of the bag in underneath.