20+ Easy Sewing Projects For Beginners | Free Patterns
This article shares sewing projects that are quick and easy for the beginner sewist. The items in this list were all made by me, a real human, in 30 minutes or less.
Depending on your sewing skill level, the bigger sewing projects (e.g. potholder, drawstring makeup bag, golf club head cover) may take you a little longer than 30 minutes, but they’re still easy-to-follow tutorials.
Some of the sewing projects come with a printable sewing pattern (which can be found on the tutorial’s page), while others simply require you to cut out fabric to specific dimensions.
Rice Heating Bag
You can alter this sewing project to be any size or shape you like. No pattern is required, simply cut the top and bottom fabric slightly bigger (e.g. 1″ to allow for 1/2″ seam allowance on sewing sides).
This tutorial does come with free printable tags for if you plan to give a rice heating pad as a gift.
Glasses Case
This case can be used for reading glasses or sunglasses and has a simple drawstring closure. It’s lined, so the inside looks just as tidy as the outside.
Scrunchie
Scrunchies are an easy item to sew, and this tutorial shares the fastest method I’ve found. So it’s ideal if you’re sewing scrunchies to sell at a craft show. It also comes with a free printable tag so you can give a scrunchie as a gift.
Reusable Cotton Rounds
Although this sewing project doesn’t require a printable pattern, I included one that makes it easy to sew straight lines and clean curves. The tutorial also has a printable gift tag to bundle a set of cotton rounds together.
Golf Club Head Cover
This sewing project is easier than it looks. The tutorial shares 3 free printable patterns. Club head covers for a driver, wood, and hybrid. It makes a great gift to sew for Father’s Day or for any golfer. Choose materials that suit their style and personality, offering golf club head covers that are much more exciting than those found in-store.
Reusable Tea Bag
This is probably the quickest and easiest project on the list. And the best part about it is, once you learn how to make this tiny bag for loose tea leaves, you can simply increase the size of your rectangle to make an unlined drawstring pouch or bag.
Tea Wallet
These are popular items to sew and sell at craft shows, especially around Christmas, because they make the perfect stocking stuffer or small gift for acquaintances (e.g. small gift for coworkers). A tea wallet is also handy for tea drinkers who travel. They can bring their favorite teas with them on a trip.
Bucket Makeup Bag
This is one of the bigger sewing projects on the list. The quilting does require a little more skill, but it can be skipped by either using a heavier exterior fabric and skipping the batting, or simply using a spray adhesive to secure the batting and fabric together while sewing the seams.
Beginner Potholder
Potholders are a fairly simple item to sew, but this project is even easier because it skips the quilting stitches. The tutorial shares very detailed instructions and tips to get a polished finish.
Double-Sided Dish Towel
This dish towel looks professionally made, thanks to the mitered hem (which is easier to sew than it looks). I also love how the two layers add extra thickness and make the dish towel more absorbent. It feels luxurious.
Bowl Cover
Bowl covers are so handy to have in any kitchen. They reduce waste and costs by replacing Saran Wrap or tin foil. This tutorial shares free printable patterns for 3 sizes of bowl covers. You can make breathable bowl covers by using two layers of cotton or linen fabric, or make a cover that seals in moisture by using food-safe PUL for the lining side.
Snack Bags
The foldover closure of these snack bags is what makes this such a quick and easy sewing project. No zippers or velcro closures required. Just like the bowl covers, you can sew these using 2 layers of food-safe fabric or use food-safe PUL for the lining so they are wipeable and will keep more moisture inside (e.g. a squished blueberry won’t leak outside the bag).
Hot Pads
These hot pads look like they’re more complicated to sew because the edges look like they’re finished with binding. However, it’s simply the bottom fabric folded over the edges, after creating a mitered hem. They look polished but are quick and easy to sew. Again, the quilting stitches can make this project a little more difficult, but they can be simplified (e.g. one big X pattern) or skipped and temporary spray adhesive can be used instead.
Bowl Cozy
This sewing project requires you to use microwave-safe materials. So it can take a little extra time to source Wrap-N-Zap batting and 100% cotton fabric and thread. But bowl cozies are a popular item to sew and sell at craft shows, or to give as a gift. They allow you to heat up a bowl of food in the microwave and protect your hands when removing it. It also allows you to hold a hot bowl of food, as you eat, and avoid burning your hands.
Ruffled Tea Towel
I love the feminine detail on these tea towels. And once you learn how to sew ruffles, you can add them to a variety of sewing projects to create a unique look. These make a great hosting gift.
Skillet Handle Cover
I use my skillet handle cover all the time. I find a cast-iron pan hard enough to pick up when it’s not hot. And using a potholder or oven mitt when grabbing the hot pan can make it a little awkward. This cover slips over the handle and can be used with a hot pot lid holder to grip both sides (however, that project is a little more complicated as it uses bias tape).
Fabric Napkins
These are a great item to make if you want to reduce waste in your home and/or update your table settings for a season or holiday. These reusable napkins are so quick and easy to sew that you can make a full set in under an hour.
Coasters
Coasters are a handy item to have and you can choose any fabric print to add some interest to a table. These ones look more polished and professional thanks to the mitered hem. But if you want to skip that element, you can sew a simpler coaster (pattern found here).
Placemat
Similar to the coaster and hot pads, these placemats have a mitered hem, which is easy to sew but looks like they’re finished with binding. You can alter the materials on these and don’t necessarily need the layer of batting. Removing it will make these even easier to sew. You could also choose a wipeable material to use for the top layer.
Fringed Tea Towel
Fraying the edges of these tea towels can be a little time-consuming. However, it gives these simple tea towels a unique look.
KitchenAid Mixer Cord Keeper
The most complicated part of this sewing project is keeping your pattern pieces organized. It does require Velcro closures, but otherwise is simple and easy to sew. Keeps the cord tidy and out of the way as you’re taking the mixer on and off the shelf.
