8 Steps to a Must-Have DIY Travel Makeup Brush Holder

*Updated October 2025

Want to know the travel must-have we can’t leave home without? A travel makeup brush holder to store makeup brushes while on-the-go makes for perfect packing every time. This wanderlust-worthy fat quarter project is travel-approved and the DIY gift every budding makeup artist or makeup lover needs. For an extra touch of glamour, we recommend using Celosia Velvet® for your outer fabric.

This project could also keep art supplies organized or act as a one-of-a-kind pencil roll for back to school! Don’t miss the full tutorial below.

Materials Needed

• 2 fat quarters of fabric
  • We’re using:
    • Outer fabric: Celosia Velvet®
    • Inner fabric: Organic Cotton Sateen featuring the design Geometric Diamond Circle Pink & Mustard by acdesign
• Sewing machine
• Ruler
• Rotary blade or fabric scissors
• Invisible marker
• 1 yard of ribbon or bias tape for your ties
• Pins
• 2 beads (optional)

Step 1. Cut out your fabric

Cut three 14″ x 9″ rectangles: one from your outer fabric and two from your inner fabric.

Step 2. Create the brush pouch

Fold one 14″ x 9″ lining piece of fabric in half, wrong sides facing, and press. Place this fabric on top of the other inner 14″ x 9″ fabric so the bottom raw edges are lined up. Pin in place and baste stitch around the two sides and bottom with a 1/4″ hem.

Step 3. Create the makeup brush pockets

Using your invisible marker and a ruler, mark lines on the pouch fabric (the 14″ x 5″ piece) from the top to the bottom about 1″-1.5″ apart from each other. We recommend laying out your brushes to see how much space you’ll need if your brushes have varying sizes.

Step 4. Stitch the brush pouches

Using your sewing machine, stitch a straight line from the top of the line you made in step 3 to the bottom, making sure to backstitch at the top and bottom. Repeat until you’ve stitched over all of the lines.

Step 5. Attach the ties

Cut the material you’ll be using for your ties in half so you have two 18″ strings. Overlapt the two ends and pin to one short side of your base fabric 3″ from the top, making sure about 1″ of the string is extended over the edge. Secure with a basting stitch 1/4″ from the edge.

Pro Tip: If your tie edges are raw, we recommend finishing the end that will be exposed before attaching to your fabric.

Step 6. Sew the holder together

With right sides facing, pin the outer fabric to the base fabric. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2″ seam allowance, making sure you stitch over the secured edge of your ties but not the excess in the center. Remember to leave a 3″ opening on the bottom for turning.

Step 7. Turn your fabric right side out

Push out your corners with a chopstick or point turner.

Step 8. Finish your holder

Fold in the exposed raw edges of your opening and press. Topstitch around your fabric, making sure to stitch over the opening of the fabric to close it.

And there you have it! Your travel makeup brush holder is ready for your brushes, and you’re ready for your travels.

Now that you’ve customized your travel makeup brush bag, complete your on-the-go collection with a matching DIY zipper pouch and luggage tag. Whether you’re going by plane, train or automobile, the Spoonflower Design Library has just what you need for a stylish trip!