Sew a Cosmetic Bag – The Pre-Loved Edition

Give new life to unwanted fabrics while learning practical sewing skills in this fun, beginner-friendly workshop. Using pre-loved woven textiles, you'll create your own lined cosmetic bag while gaining confidence with a sewing machine.

Throughout the session, you'll learn how to prepare and cut fabric, assemble a simple project, and insert a zipper using easy-to-follow techniques. Along the way, you'll discover how upcycling can transform old household textiles into something useful, stylish, and unique.

Perfect for beginners and those wanting to add to their sewing skills, this hands-on workshop focuses on creativity, sustainability, and building essential sewing skills in a supportive environment. By repurposing fabrics that might otherwise end up in landfill, you'll learn how sewing can be both a practical skill and a positive step toward reducing textile waste. You'll leave with a finished cosmetic bag and the confidence to continue making simple sewing projects at home.

What to Bring

Please bring clean, woven (non-stretch) fabric suitable for upcycling, such as:

Old shirts
Tablecloths
Curtains
Lightweight denim
Sheets or linen

Important Fabric Guidelines

❌ No stretchy fabrics such as t-shirt material, jersey, or knit fabrics.
❌ No slippery fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon, or similar materials.
✅ Medium-weight woven cottons, poly-cotton blends, and lightweight denim are ideal.
✅ All fabrics should be clean and in good condition before class.

We Provide

Sewing machines
Thread
Zips
Basic sewing tools and equipment
Additional materials required to complete the project

Suitable For Adults (18+) and beginners with little or no sewing experience.

Sustainability Note This workshop encourages the creative reuse of existing textiles. By choosing to repair, repurpose, and upcycle materials, participants can reduce waste, extend the life of fabrics, and create something beautiful from items already available at home.

As a not-for-profit organisation, NGĀ ART (Te Whare Toi o Ngaaruawaahia) relies on grants, community funding, and donations to keep our classes affordable and accessible for everyone in our community. This programme is generously subsidised thanks to funding support from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) to boost Aotearoa New Zealand’s performance in waste minimisation.

Sew a Cosmetic Bag ✦ The Pre-Loved Edition