DIY Reusable Cotton Rounds with Storage Bin

Do you use cotton rounds to remove your makeup? They save my washcloths from stains but I don't like that they leave little cotton bits stuck to my eyelashes. The good news is that it's easy to make a bunch of reusable cotton rounds that work just as well at removing makeup without the leftover lint. Come learn how...

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I like to use coconut oil to take off my makeup. These little Reusable Cotton Rounds do a great job of wiping it off with a little hot water. They also work with a splash of makeup remover on them. I just wash them out right away in the sink with a little hand soap and and set them on the counter to dry overnight and they stay stain free. 

The the best part is my regular wash cloths don't get stained. When they are all dirty you can wash them in a little mesh bag from the dollar store. In this tutorial I've also included instructions to make a little organizing bin to keep them together and clean while they are waiting to be used.  Want to make a set? They would make a great handmade gift! 

DIY Reusable Cotton Rounds and Storage Bin

Sourcing Supplies

To make these DIY cotton rounds I used some lovely flannel from Art Gallery Fabrics. It is thick, so soft, and easy to work with. I backed the flannel with some really nice microfiber cloths I had on hand that I ordered from Amazon and they worked out perfectly. I found the vinyl for the Storage Bin at my local Joann store. It is sold by the yard in the decorator section. Vinyl comes in a lot of thicknesses. I chose a #12 gauge which is thick enough for the sides to stand up on their own but not too thick. 

Supplies You'll need

12'' square piece of terry cloth or a new plush microfiber cloth 
12'' square of flannel fabric or flannel fabric scraps that are at least 3 1/2'' square.
3'' strip of clear vinyl
4'' scrap of heavyweight interfacing
Binding Clips

Printed PDF of Cotton Rounds and Storage Bin Base circle templates

Cutting Instructions

From the cotton fabric cut:
1 square 12'' x 12'' for the cotton rounds
1 strip 2'' x 11 3/4'' for the top binding
1 strip 3'' x 11 3/4'' for the bottom trim
2 squares 4'' x 4'' for the Storage Bin Base
From the clear vinyl cut:
1 strip 3'' x 11 3/4'' for the Storage Bin Sides
From the terry cloth cut:
1 square 12'' x 12'' for the cotton rounds
From the heavy weight interfacing cut:
1 square 4'' x 4'' for the Storage bin base

Print and cut out the circles from the Reusable Cotton Rounds PDF 

Sewing Instructions

Make the Cotton Rounds

1. Layer together the 2 large squares of terry cloth and cotton fabric with the wrong side of the cotton fabric facing toward the terry cloth. Using a 3.5- 4.0 mm stitch length stitch horizontal and vertical lines across the square. Space the lines 1 - 1.5 inches apart. Note: You could use small scraps of fabric to layer on the terry cloth if you want a variety of colors. I found that quilting these 2 layers helped them stay together when using the rounds to remove makeup. It also makes them easier to sew evenly.

2. Using the Cotton Round template, trace circles on to the quilted fabric. You should be able to get about 10 circles if you space them right. 

3. Stitch around the inside of each circle about 1/8 inch inside the drawn line. 

4. Cut around each circle right on the line.

5. Finish the raw edges of each cotton round by sewing around them with a zig zag stitch or serger. You will need to experiment to find the look you like. I love the look of the tight zig zag stitch but it seemed to make my edges really wavy which bothered me.  A loose zig zag stitch allowed it to lay flat. It was a little frustrating to sew in such a tight circle with the serger. Try your machine out and see what works best for you. 

Make the Storage Bin Sides

6. Fold the 3 inch strip in half lengthwise with the wrong side on the inside. Press.

7. Line up the raw edges of the folded strip to the bottom edge of the vinyl piece. Clip them together. 

8. Top stitch along the folded edge and along the bottom raw edge.

9. Fold the 2 inch strip in half lengthwise with the wrong side on the inside. Press to make a center crease. Open the fold and press the edges toward the center crease leaving a little gap in the center. Press. Refold the center crease and press to make a "bias"tape.

10. Open the folded strip and line up one long edge with the top of the vinyl edge. Make sure the right side of the fabric is facing the inside of the vinyl (not on the same side as the topstitched piece). Clip the strip in place. Sew along the closest fold line of the fabric strip.

11. Fold the top strip up and then fold the vinyl piece in half widthwise, with right sides together, matching, the 2 short ends. Sew the ends together with a 3/8'' seam allowance. Finish the raw edge with a zig zag stitch. 

12. Refold the pressed folds on the 2'' strip so that the edge of the vinyl is enclosed. This will create the top edge of the Storage Bin.

13. Topstitch along the lower folded edge. It can get a little tricky.  Here's an idea of how to fit it under the machine. It was a little tight for me and my clips kept getting in the way so that might happen to you too. 

Make the Storage Bin Base

14. Layer the three 4" x 4'' squares together with the interfacing the middle and the wrong sides of each fabric piece facing the interfacing.

15. Using the Storage Bin Base template, draw a circle on the stack of squares.

16. Sew just inside the circle about 1/8'' away from the marker line.

17. Cut out the circle right on the marker line

18. Fold the Storage Bin Base Template into quarters and use it to mark the sewn circle at each fold line.

Sew the Storage Bin Together

19. Divide the Storage Bin top into quarters and mark them with pins. I just slid the pins into the flannel only.

20. Match the quarter markings of the Storage Bin Base to the Storage Bin Sides and pin them together. I just pinned through the fabric part of the vinyl wall but you can use clips here if you want to. 

21. Sew around the base of the Storage Bin. Flatten the sides of the bin little by little as you sew around the base. Keep the machine's needle in the down position as you make each new adjustment.

22. Finish the raw edges  of the Base with a zig zag stitch.

23. Turn the Storage Bin right side out and push the seam allowance up against the sides to help the base sit flat.

Stack up your Cotton Rounds inside the Storage Bin and you are finished!

Leave a comment and let me know what you think! If you liked this tutorial share it with a sewing friend or Pin it for later! If you make a set of Reusable Cotton Rounds, I'd love to see it!! Tag me @bluesusanmakes and use the hashtags #ReusableCottonRounds #bluesusanmakes.


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Happy Sewing!

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