I am frequently asked what the best sewing projects for someone who is learning how to sew are. I’ve spent a lot of time going through my archives and visiting the websites of some of my favorite sewing friends and have rounded up more than 50 Free Beginner Sewing Projects and patterns for you.This list includes everything from pillows to clothing to bags to sew.
Looking to start sewing but not sure where to begin? Check out our list of over 50 simple and enjoyable sewing projects for beginners that won’t break the bank!
The New Year has me thinking a lot about beginnings. I have been planning out the things I’d like to learn and do this year. If learning to sew (or improving your existing sewing skills) is on your “to-do” list I thought I’d see if I can help you out a little bit. Here are some of my favorite easy sewing projects.
If you like this list, then you may also like this list of 45Recommended Beginner Quilting Projects.
Table of Contents
Must-Know Sewing Tips for Beginners!
Sewing Tip #1:
Take a few minutes and read the directions from start to finish before you begin. Make sure you understand each step.
Sewing Tip #2:
Take your time when cutting out and prepping your fabric. Precisely cut pattern pieces and well-pressed fabric will make a world of difference in the outcome of your finished project.
Sewing Tip #4:
If you mess up, don’t worry! You’re a beginner; remember, EVERYONE was a beginner at some point. You can only improve with more practice. Messing up is a sign that you are trying.
Sewing Tip #5:
Have Fun. My first sewing projects were a disaster! I used to go through my Grandmas’s scrap bin and make clothes for my Barbie dolls. You should have seen those clothes (eeekk)!
Even though they were far from perfect, I had a great time making them, and it helped to instill a love of sewing in me at a young age. So relax; this is supposed to be fun!
Sewing Tip #6:
Get to know your sewing machine! A lot of frustration that beginning sewists feel is due to frustration with their sewing machine. If you take a few minutes to watch a YouTube video or read your sewing machine manual, it can make a really big difference! Many sewing shops also offer free sewing machine classes when you buy a machine from them.
What is the Best Sewing Project for a Beginner?
If you are new to sewing, I recommend starting with a pillow project. You can make a simple pillow cover or a pillowcase.
Pillows are great places to start because you don’t have to fit them on someone’s body (as you would have to with clothing) and because they are comprised of all straight lines!
What Can I Sew as a Gift?
If you’re looking for something easy to sew to give as a gift, I recommend starting with either our Chapstick Holder or a Simple Drawstring Bag. These are also great projects for kids who want to learn how to sew.
What Can I Sew in an Hour?
First, I don’t really recommend setting time limits on your projects, especially when you are first starting. It could easily lead to unnecessary frustrations if you’re looking for things to sew something fast. I’d start with our Library Tote Tutorial.
What Fabric is the Most Forgiving?
By far, 100% cotton and cotton blends. They are a good medium-weight fabric and can be ironed traditionally. Many synthetic fabrics will melt with an iron and can be difficult to manipulate for beginners. Avoid fabrics that are very lightweight or very heavyweight.
Video Tutorials
We have a YouTube channel where we regularly post beginner-friendly sewing and quilting tutorials; you should totally subscribe! If you’re new, watching videos is a great way to learn!
50+ Free Sewing Patterns; Fun and Simple Easy Beginner Sewing Projects
This is just a small sampling of all of the projects we have created for beginner sewers or sewing novices. Check out our Beginner Sewing Archives for even more easy projects!
Some of these projects feature free PDF downloads, and others have a print button built into the instructions on the blog post. Regardless of the format of these simple sewing tutorials, they are hand-picked to be perfect for beginners!
Simple and Fun Beginner Sewing Projects
I’ve broken the list down into sections. First are projects that you can find here on the Polka Dot Chair. The list is broken down by type of sewing project. You will find:
- Accessories to Sew
- Tote Bag, Purses and Zip Pouch Pattern for Beginners
- Easy Pillow and Home Dec Projects
- Things To Wear including scarves and skirts.
- Easy Blankets and Quilts to Sew.
I’ve also included a list of beginner sewing projects from some of my sewing blogger colleagues. Enjoy!
1
How to Make Fabric Headbands; a Free Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
These simple headbands feature only 2-3 straight seams. They are simple to construct.
2
How to Make a Braided Padded Headband
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Padded, braided, and knotted headbands are very trendy right now! Learn how to make a braided, padded headband with our free sewing pattern & tutorial.
3
Scrappy Fabric Bookmark Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
These cute bookmarks are a great way to use up some of your fabric scraps!
4
How to Make Knotted Hair Ties
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
How to make hair ties with fabric, this tutorial is a great way to empty out your scrap fabric bin. It’s also a fun project to sew with teens.
5
DIY Keychain Chapstick Holder Tutorial
These are made from rectangles of fabric and make great gifts for teachers.
6
Free Oversized Beach Bag Sewing Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Don’t be intimidated by the grommets and rope handles on this bag. They are very easy to install and give the project a professional finish. Bonus, the pattern features a lot of pockets!
7
How to Make a Simple Zipper Pouch with Video Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Just because the project has a zipper does not mean it’s not great for beginners. Zippersdon’t need to be intimidating.
This free tutorial teaches you how to make a zip bag in any size and has video instructions!
8
How to Make an Upcycled Candy Bag Zip Pouch
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
What a fun idea for kids or teens who are learning to sew. Turn a few candy bags into zip pouches.
9
Fat Quarter Zip Pouch Sewing Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Once you've mastered the simple zip pouch, try adding a few extra touches like cork or add a flat bottom to your bag.
10
Learn How to Make a Bag; A Simple Tote Bag Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This tote bag has a canvas bottom, making it sturdy to use.
11
Beginner Tote Bag Pattern; The Derby Tote
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; a great simple, and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.
12
How to Sew an Oilcloth Pencil Pouch
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Oil cloth pencil pouch sewing pattern -clever idea for back to school or a teacher appreciation gift
13
How to Make a Drawstring Bag or Backpack
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Simple to sew lined, drawstring backpacks. This is a great project to tackle with kids or teens.
14
Free Padded iPad Case Sewing Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This iPad case does feature a zipper, making it a bit more of an advanced beginner project. However, it’s TOTALLY doable for a newbie.
15
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This simple library bag pattern features one large pocket and is lined. The straps are sewn from ribbon, so you don’t need to figure out how to make a bag strap just yet!
16
How to Make a Drawstring Laundry Bag; A Fat Quarter Project
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This drawstring bag is lined and reversible.
17
Color-Blocked Zip Pouch Sewing Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Make one simple change to our favorite zip bag pattern and you’ll get a totally different bag!
18
How to Make a Pillowcase in 3 Easy Steps
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This pillowcase pattern is so simple. Just 3 straight lines. This is a good project for kids to tackle.
19
EASY Reading Pillow Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
How to Sew a Reading Pillow, the easy way (you can leave the piping off if you’d like to simplify the project)
20
Sewing Projects for Kids, a Pillowcase Project
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This project starts with a pre-made pillowcase. It walks you through the steps to add the star (or another shape) appliques.
21
How to sew Outdoor Pillow Covers
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Upcycle your old, worn-out outdoor pillows with fresh new covers.
22
Giant Body Pillow Sewing pattern with pocket
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Do you know those HUGE pillows that you can buy at Target? You can sew a custom cover for them. This one even includes a pocket to hold a phone or tablet.
23
Simple Hanging Tea Towel Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This project features Christmas fabrics but you use the pattern with any fabrics.
24
Easy Fat Quarter Napkin Sewing Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Turn fat quarters into colorful and reuseable napkins.
25
Waterproof Patchwork Picnic Blanket Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
DIY Patchwork Waterproof Picnic Blanket Pattern, an easy to sew tutorial for a picnic blanket that rolls up!
26
Large Fabric Basket Sewing Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
“Never Full” Fabric Basket Sewing Tutorial is a great sturdy basket sewing pattern.
27
Easy Peasy Baby Burp Cloth Sewing Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Many people begin sewing because they want to make a baby gift. These burp cloths are made from flannel fabric and are soft and easy to make.
28
Free Pillowcase Dress Pattern and Size Chart
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Learn how to sew a pillowcase dress with this Pillowcase Dress Tutorial. Includes full instructions and a chart to help you resize the dress for various ages. The quickest dress you’ll ever sew!
29
How to Make an Infinity Scarf; DIY Travel Scarf Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This scarf features snaps so that you can also use it as a travel blanket.
30
Upcycled Denim Be Kind Sweatshirt
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Not sure what to do with your old jeans? Cut them up and create applique letters for a sweatshirt!
31
How to Sew a Circle Skirt a Free Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
A circle skirt is just that, made from a fabric circle. They are one of the easiest clothing projects for beginners to tackle.
32
DIY Embellished Pocket Tees Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Add a fun pop of color to a plain t-shirt by adding a pocket. The tutorial includes a printable pocket pattern piece.
33
Scallop Neck DIY T-Shirt Refashion Project
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
I used a few scraps from my fabric bin to add a bit of detail to a simple v-neck t-shirt.
34
Patchwork Twirl Skirt Tutorial, the Polka Dot Chair
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
My girls always loved to wear twirly skirts when they were smaller. This tutorial makes a skirt that’s perfect for summer.
35
Girls T-Shirt Maxi Dress Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This free dress pattern starts with a purchased t-shirt. You then add the skirt and waistband. Easy!
36
How to Sew Kids Aprons, a free Child's Apron Pattern
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
This sweet apron makes a great gift for a little “baker” and there is a video to walk you through the construction steps.
37
How to Sew a Summer Sundress from Two T-Shirts
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
How to sew a summer sundress using two t-shirts- a cute t-shirt DIY refashion project.
38
Self-Binding Sweatshirt Blanket Tutorial; Polka Dot Chair
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Turn a bunch of old sweatshirts into a cozy sweatshirt blanket. This project has a YouTube video to help you along the way too!
39
How to Make a T-Shirt Quilt Baby Blanket | Polka Dot Chair
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Upcycle your old or sentimental t-shirts into a receiving blanket for a new baby!
40
Soft 'n Snuggly Sensory Baby Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Learn how to make a sensory baby quilt using a bunch of fabric scraps. So cute and easily made from minky and flannel fabrics.
41
Easy Peasy Fleece Blanket Tutorial- The Polkadot Chair
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
I know that you can tie polar fleece to make blankets. However, I find that is actually easier to sew the blanket together, then cut fringe than to tie the blanket.
42
Simple Fat Quarter Quilted Table Runner Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.polkadotchair.com
Learn how to make a simple quilted table runner out of fat quarters,
43
Kid’s Messenger Bag Sewing Pattern
Photo Credit:crazylittleprojects.com
Such a cute bag for kids and just the right size to carry all of their treasures.
44
DIY Ipad case!
Photo Credit:ohsolovelyvintage.blogspot.com
This beautiful iPad case is made from wool, so you do not need to finish the seams.
45
Easy Mod Messenger Bag Tutorial
Photo Credit:www.diaryofaquilter.com
A fun casual messenger bag made from just a yard of fabric.
46
DIY Laptop Sleeve: Make it in Ten Minutes
Photo Credit:crazylittleprojects.com
Another great project made with wool fabric.
47
Circle Skirts
Photo Credit:www.madeeveryday.com
I love making skirts, especially in the Summertime. Dana walks you through how to make a series of skirts in her tutorials.
49
How to make a sweatpant skirt {goodbye old sweats, hello cute skirt!}
Photo Credit:www.itsalwaysautumn.com
Upcycle an old pair of sweats into a cute kids' skirt.
50
free sewing pattern for Belle princess dress up apron
Photo Credit:www.itsalwaysautumn.com
This is such a fun and clever idea. Turn a simple apron into a Disney dress up just by changing the fabric.
51
Simple Maxi Skirt PDF Pattern---FREE!!! Simple Simon and Company
Photo Credit:www.simplesimonandco.com
These are oh so comfy. You'll want to make a bunch of them!
