Need some help. My daughter (the one in New Zealand for grad school) just informed me she could use a small cosmetic pouch to carry in her backpack to campus. She would like it lined or somehow made waterproof, which I understand. The simple pattern I have in mind calls for a lining, but I am unsure what I could use that would be waterproof or at least resistant but not grossly heavy. Any ideas?

they sell all kinds of stuff that she would want at REI.
My daught spent last summer in New Zealand for a program. Thats were we get all of her traveling items.

:D

I saw a tutorial on here one day for a bag exactly like what you're after, and it had a ziplock back as the lining. From memory, all you do is sew it just like fabric, and voila, a waterproof lining! :-)

Whereabouts in New Zealand is she?

I have seen thin clear vinyl at Joann's, and Hancock's Fabric. I'm pretty sure it has a sticky side. I would stick it on the fabric, leaving the seam allowance, and then sew the bag. I have stuck a freezer bag inside a cloth bag for leak proof lining.

Thanks for all your answers. I will check them out.

BlueChicken, She is in Auckland and attending the Univ of Auckland. We are going to visit her in about 4 weeks.

I bought an inexpensive shower curtain once, when I wanted a waterproof lining for a tote. One of the nylon fabric types, not a plastic looking one. Hope that helps

There is this really cool stuff, fusible vinyl for just such projects. It doesn't make it waterproof exactly, more like wipeable. I actually have some. When I first bought it I wondered how heavy it would make my project feel, well, it didn't. The fabric remains flexible and not overly heavy.

Also, there are many weights of clear vinyl at Joann. Could the bag simply have a loose vinyl liner? You can use tissue paper over the top of it to sew, if it's a problem moving over the pressure feet.

There are many ways of doing this...could use a shower curtain, buy the off the roll for table covers, etc....but, honestly, unless you want something in particular for the outside that you have or she wanted...the wally world sells those for under $5...and, actually I think they are around 3. Just fyi...:)Skeat

flannel-lined tablecloths from $$ stores work really well and are very flexible. i would cut it and sew it as one with the fabric.

How exciting!! :D
We're at the other end of the island, unfortunately, or you could have stopped in for a coffee.


I'm loving the shower curtain idea... I saw a pattern recently for a Cutting Mat Carry Bag, and it used strong clear plastic on the inside. I can imagine the same bag made in blues with the plastic having little dolphins or fish on it, very groovy! ;-)

Blue Chicken, it would have been so cool to meet.

Thanks everyone for all the responses, now I just have to decide which will work the best.

I have a Kiwi bird embroidery design she would like on it and a tree frog for another one for personal hygiene thingies.

Walmart sells a plastic in the fabric dept that would work great. It is pliable.

Or you could line it with tablecloth fabric which you can find either there or a fabric shop. Or, you can find them at a dollar store, I'm talking about the kind that has the fleece backing.

shower curtain is the answer ladies; its easier and it doesnt rip when u have sewed in it like my table cloth vinyl shopping bags did( i m still trying to fix that, i m not sure if i can use som strong cotton around the seems or if i should just use heavy duty tape on it :?

What about rip stop nylon?

So what is rip stop nylon and where do you get it? I am wondering if it similar the shower curtain like Sunnyhope and Lacelady suggeted.

Well I did it! After looking at some of the information on fusible vinyl, I took the leap and ordered some. My cosmetic bag pattern includes a lining, so I will fuse the vinyl to that and it should work out. I just hope it isn't to tremendously bulky...

Can't wait to see pictures of it! :D

Ditto!

Not positive, but what about oil cloth ... hear about people using it for inside lunch bags & whatnot. Not sure where to purchase.

Looking forward to the pictures.

Thanks for all the help. I have to attend an annual conference for my work in Gettysburg, PA from Monday through Wednesday. I am already having separation anxiety from Nina (my machine). DH says it is interesting that I am complaining about being away from Nina, but not him! lol Actually, I will miss him. Since the kids moved out, we spend most of our down time together. He even has a special chair in my sewing room and made sure there was a decent TV so he could sit in the room with me as I get my fix on my addiction! :D

Anyhow, I just finished an oversized tote for my airplane flight to New Zealand in October, and did a practice embroidery piece of a spider I intend to use on a Halloween wall hanging for our youngest DD. I will post the spider test, no pic of the tote just yet.

I will start the cosmetic bag when i get back...it is going to have a tree frog embroidered on it. Funny, both of our DD's love frogs!

Take care all and once again, thanks.

That is really cute!! Great colors too!

Thanks for the complement. It was just a test square, but I decided to put it on this piece of fabric from my stash. That way if it turned out nice, I could turn it into a potholder or small wall hanging. I am new at machine embroidery and always amazed when things turn out nicely. :)