25 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners
If you are just getting started with sewing, you’ll love trying out these easy sewing projects for beginners. Try your hand at sewing pillows, towels, blankets, reusable bowl covers, a dress, and more with this roundup of 25 simple projects to get you started.
When I was first learning to sew, I was so discouraged by projects that turned out to be total flops! The frustrations of sewing can be avoided if you try easier projects first and gradually work up to more challenging ones.
In my sewing journey, I learned that I needed to start with simple projects first. I chose projects that were basically just hemming. Then I moved up to skills like gathering, working with elastic, installing zippers, setting sleeves and beyond.
Tip! One funny way I’ve learned a ton is by sewing doll clothes. You can almost always find a willing recipient for the things you create and trying out complicated patterns is a great way to learn advanced sewing at a smaller (and less-expensive!) scale.
Weekly Crafting Fun!
Join my list and get a weekly email with relaxing craft ideas, freebies, sewing tutorials, and more!
If you are a beginner, my best advice for you to level up your skills is simple:
- Practice, a lot! The more you sew, the easier it will become.
- Challenge yourself. Take on projects that seem a little too tricky (a zipper installation? gathers? pleats?) to keep pushing yourself forward.
- Watch videos on Youtube if you get stuck.
- Don’t fear mistakes! Save old projects for scraps and practice and don’t be afraid to try new skills.
And also, sew what you love! There are so many things you can sew from clothing to quilts, curtains to pillows, etc. etc. Sew what you enjoy and don’t feel like there are projects you have to tackle just because everyone else is sewing them.
What Makes a Good Beginner Sewing Project?
I’m a firm believer that you can sew just about anything with a good set of instructions and lots of patience.
However, there are a few features to look for in beginning sewing projects that will help you get great results. The following are my basic criteria for a good beginner sewing project:
- Straight Lines: Curves aren’t too tricky to sew, but they are much easier after you’ve spent some time practicing with your machine. So, start with straight seams!
- Few Pattern Pieces: Patterns with lots of pieces to put together are trickier. Stick with simple patterns with few pieces for your first few projects.
- No Fasteners: Skip the buttonholes, zippers, and snaps until after you’ve successfully completed some simple projects and are ready to learn more skills. Try sewing a doll skirt to practice installing elastic–a skill you can use to make full-size skirts too!
- Basic Cotton Woven Fabric: Save the slippery materials, laces, and knits until after you’ve gained confidence with easier fabrics like quilting cottons. Linen or cotton drawstring bags are a practical project that uses easy-to-sew fabrics.
- Useful! It’s far more motivating to make something you are excited to use. Choosing projects you are eager to sew is best–even if they end up being more challenging than you expected. One of my favorite extra-easy projects is simple dish towels–these are a great project for your very first time sewing.
Pro tip: Sewing can be expensive these days, but don’t let the cost of sewing hold you back. There are lots of ways to save money on great fabric if you learn to watch for sales, coupons, and even recycling opportunities. If you enjoy shopping at Hobby Lobby, you can also read my tips for how to save money on fabric there.
25 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners
This list of easy sewing projects for beginners features some of my most popular tutorials from Bellewood Cottage as well as a handful of projects from fellow bloggers as well. Whether you want to try stitching up some simple drawstring bags, pillow cases, or even an easy dress, this list of sewing projects has you covered.
How to Sew a Drawstring Bag with French Seams Tutorial
Learn how to make an easy drawstring bag with beautiful enclosed French seams. Save on fabric (no lining!), use pretty handmade bias tape (or whatever you like) for drawstrings, and sew these bags in just about any size you need.
Ruffle Pillow Sham Tutorial
Learn how to sew gathers and ruffles with this sweet pillow sham tutorial from Tidbits. The tutorial starts with an easy envelope back pillow cover and then the ruffles are stitched on.
The Everyday Dress sewing pattern + ruffled sleeves
This variation on "The Everyday Dress" from It's Always Autumn includes instructions on how to make those cute ruffled sleeves (check the post for where to print the basic pattern). This pattern uses a few yards of a knit fabric and is written for a women's size large.
How to Make a Professional Scrunchie with a Neat Seam (video & photos)
Scrunchies are popular once again and they are great for learning how to sew (and using up fabric scraps too). Learn how to make a professional scrunchie with a neat seam in this easy sewing tutorial. Video included!
Easy Reusable Bowl Covers
Reusable bowl covers are so handy for replacing long-lost lids, an environmentally-friendly sub for plastic wrap, or as a breathable lid for sourdough and such. Use this tutorial from Cami at Tidbits to make covers in any and every size you need!
DIY Dish Towels (Beginner Sewing Project)
Dish towels might be the very easiest sewing project ever! Basically you just have to hem the edges of rectangles of fabric and that's it! Beautiful handmade towels make good gifts too!
How to Sew an 18″ Doll Skirt – Easy Tutorial
Doll clothes are a great way to learn new sewing skills. The patterns use minimal fabric and they are quick to make too. Learn how to use elastic to make a simple skirt in this easy doll-size tutorial.
How to Sew DIY Muslin Swaddle Blankets
Baby blankets are a great first sewing project. They are usually made with cottons or flannels and just require some straight seams. This tutorial teaches you all about double gauze fabric (which you might be familiar with from the popular Aden and Anais swaddle blankets). You'll learn how to use the fabric and how to hem the edges to make sweet swaddle blankets for a new baby!
How To Sew A Gift Card Holder or Reusable Cash Envelope
I always find myself needing to purchase gift card holders around the holidays, so I'm thinking I'll sew a stack of these cute reusable holders instead! What a great project for using up scraps too! Find the beginner tutorial at Melly Sews.
Re-Purposed Sweater Pillows
Yes, you can make pillows from old knit sweaters! This reuse & recycle tutorial is fantastic for clearing out your closet (or for utilizing thrift store finds) and Cami at Tidbits teaches you everything you need to know so that these sweater pillows turn out perfectly.
Free Purse Pattern and Sewing Tutorial for Beginners
No tricky fasteners on this bag! This is a great beginner bag pattern because it's simple to sew, but also very useful! It would be so cute to hold small sewing projects or knitting projects. Find the tutorial at Melly Sews.
Lace-Trimmed Scrunchies Sewing Tutorial
If you want to, customize those scrunchies even more with the simple addition of lace trim!
How to Sew a Pillow with an Invisible Zipper
If you are ready to level up to learning about zippers, starting with a pillow is a good plan. Follow the detailed step-by-step tutorial from The Homes I Have Made to learn how to sew a pillow with an invisible zipper.
Rice and Lavender Hot/Cold Pack
For a project that is very easy and useful too, try this tutorial from Miss Mustard Seed on how to make a rice and lavender hot/cold pack.
DIY Fleece Hat + Scarf Set
This DIY Fleece Hat & Scarf Set from It's Always Autumn is easy to make and only takes 20 minutes! This would be a fun project to do alongside kids who are just learning to sew.
How to Make a Flannel and Minky Baby Blanket
Blankets are great for beginners because it's just a bunch of straight seams. Learn how to work with minky fabric for this cute flannel & minky baby blanket from The Polka Dot Chair.
How to Make a Simple Zipper Pouch
A pouch is a quick project that can be made with fabric scraps and it's also the perfect time to learn how to install a zipper. This tutorial from The Polka Dot Chair will teach you everything you need to know.
DIY Half Apron for Sewing (FREE pattern)
This project from Sustain My Craft Habit will teach you how to print a simple pattern at home, tape it together, and sew! Learning how to do this with a simple project first is quite handy since many sewing patterns are now available to print at home.
Hanging Laundry Bag Sewing Pattern
Make an easy Laundry Bag with this tutorial from Sustain My Craft Habit!
How to Sew Doll Pillows Tutorial
Another great project for kids, these sweet Doll Pillows from Craftaholics Anonymous will use up tiny fabric scraps too.
DIY Drop Cloth Pillows with Antique Lace
These drop cloth pillows have a cute farmhouse tie feature and teach you how to make a faux double pillow case too.
Ticking Stripe Pillow Cover Tutorial
Learn how to make a simple envelope pillow cover with a trimmed lace edge for a simple home décor sewing project for beginners.
How to Sew Burp Cloths for Baby
Burp cloths are another great beginner project because you can practice cutting fabric, sewing curves, and learning to use your sewing machine with a project that turns out to be rather useful too! Make a stack of these for an easy baby shower gift.
Mini Felt Cookies
Sewing with felt is easy because it's a no-fray fabric and you don't have to worry about seam allowances. Sewing tiny stuffed animals, play food, or ornaments is great practice for hand sewing. These tiny felt cookies make an adorable display for the holidays or you could turn them into gift tags or a garland!
How to Sew Baby Bibs from Kitchen Towels
Try these easy bibs made from kitchen towels for a quick project that makes a lovely baby shower gift.
Weekly Crafting Fun!
Join my list and get a weekly email with relaxing craft ideas, freebies, sewing tutorials, and more!
