46 Easy Sewing Projects Anyone Can Make

By BH&G Crafts Editors
Updated July 25, 2019
Brie Passano
Use our free sewing patterns to whip up easy crafts and gifts. We've included projects for all skill levels, so you don't need to be a master seamstress to make them.
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Simple Six-Pocket Bag

Make a DIY six-pocket bag that has space for everything you need to carry. This handmade bag uses three fabrics, so you can easily create a tote that matches your style.

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Fabric Utensil Holder

Jacob Fox

This roll-up fabric pouch is an easy way to store whatever loose utensils and accessories you have laying around; it's also an easy way to transport them! Corral your eco-friendly utensils, reusable straws, or makeup brushes inside this clever utensil holder that has divided pockets to fit both narrow and wide items. Then roll it up and fasten the tie ends for compact storage.

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DIY Envelope Clutch

Brie Passano

This clutch is "sew" simple! All you need are three rectangles: one batting, one print for the exterior, and one print for the lining. Use it as a clutch while running errands, or toss it in your go-to travel bag.

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Knot Bag

Jacob Fox

Add this simple carryall to your bag of sewing tricks. Pick two fabrics, one for the exterior and one for the lining, and whip up the trendy Japanese knot bag-inspired shape in a flash. Use it to transport your knitting supplies, or as a reusable grocery bag.

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DIY Canvas Tote Bag

Brie Passano

This DIY tote bag is easy to create but makes a big statement. We paired two neutral fabrics with a bold floral print to create a handy carryall that's perfect for your weekly farmers market finds, library books, or pool essentials.

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Stitched House Pillows

Mixed patterns and free-handed stitches give these DIY pillows an eclectic charm. Use scraps of fabric to create small house shapes, then decorate with stitched felt doors and windows. We used a sewing machine for the main blocks of fabric, but these handmade pillows are small enough you could stitch them up by hand.

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Stitched Face Pillows

Build a family portrait right on your couch with these adorable personalized face pillows! Use fabric paint and thick yarn to add hair and facial expressions to a set of plain pillow covers—no sewing machine required!

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Reusable Snack Bag

Brie Passano

Pack a lunch without wasting individual plastic bags! Whether you're packing a full meal or a quick bite to eat, these reusable snack bags are an eco-friendly option. You can seal the bags with velcro (no spilled snacks here!) and wash them as needed, thanks to a water-resistant inner liner. Pair this project with our no-sew beeswax food wraps to cut down on plastic use in other areas of the kitchen.

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Reusable Sandwich Bag

Brie Passano

Eliminate the need for plastic bags or containers with this washable, reusable sandwich wrap. You only need one piece of patterned fabric, a water-resistant liner, and a piece of velcro—and it's so easy to assemble! Make a few different sizes for your family and never worry about plastic waste while deciding what to pack for lunch!

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Fabric Bunting Garland

Jay Wilde

Decorate your home with a sewn fabric bunting. The pieces are small enough that you only need to use fat quarters, and bias tape makes it a cinch to stitch together! Use fun floral prints to make a sweet addition to a girls' bedroom, or use festive patterns to create a DIY party decoration.

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Flirty Skirts

Dress up your favorite girlie girl in a bouncy, multilayered skirt. Just cut straight strips from two coordinating fabrics; then gather and hem each layer as you like.

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Get Ruffled

What could be simpler or more versatile? Make this scarf from two strips of ruffled knit fabric joined with two short seams (yes, just two!) and you're done in a jiffy. If you're looking for something heavier for winter, try making our no-sew blanket scarf.

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In Your Favor

Be a super-sweet hostess with pint-size grown-up party favor bags filled with take-home treats. Use coordinating fat quarters to stitch together a set, add ribbon handles, and mix in the goodies.

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Tissue-Pack Cover

Scraps of bright print fabric are perfect for hiding unsightly tissue packs. Make them to match your room, your car, or your office.

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Coffee-Cup Cozy

Sweeten your morning jolt with a coffee-cup cozy in your choice of three delicious varieties. These aren't just for hot drinks—use them for your iced coffee drinks too!

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Precious Pot Holders

Spice up someone's kitchen by gifting festive pot holders. This makes a fun DIY Christmas gift or housewarming present.

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Bright Bookend

Instead of standard bookends, sew sandbags from fun, colorful fabric to corral your books, files, and folders. Cut two 8x10-inch pieces of fabric, place right sides together, and sew three sides using 1/2-inch seam allowances. Turn right side out, then insert a sealable plastic bag filled with sand. Topstitch all around to finish.

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Funky Journals

Camouflage the cover of a plain-Jane spiral notebook with fabric scraps to make a noteworthy fabric-covered journal.

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Cute Shoe Flowers

Turn ho-hum shoes into favorite footwear with fantasy flowers made from torn fabric strips and covered buttons. If you don't have fabric scraps, you can also make gorgeous felt flowers and decorate them with small beads.

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Ribbon Glasses Case

Turn leftover crafts supplies into cute creations. This eyeglasses case is made with ribbon scraps and detailed with machine stitching.

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Easy-to-Sew Tote Bag

This funky floral tote is as fashionable as it is functional. Bright pink, orange, and blue make this beginner purse perfect for spring or summer. Swap in brown and dark green for a fall-to-winter look.

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Embellish a Skirt

Take an ordinary skirt from drab to fab with raw-edge appliques.

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Owl Pencil Holder

Take office supplies from drab to fab. Simple felt shapes and stitches combine to make an adorable pencil holder.

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Easy, Breezy Tote

Make this roomy tote bag by combining multicolor stripes and whimsical coordinates from the Kite fabric collection by Felicity Miller for Free Spirit.

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Folk Art Glasses Case

This simple sewing project will make the perfect gift. Applique pretty wool felt blossoms onto this handmade glasses case using our free patterns.

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Yo-Yo Art

Plain-Jane yo-yos are elevated to a new level when mounted on a painted artist's canvas and presented as a wall hanging. These yo-yos, all fashioned from Kaffe Fassett prints for Westminster Fabrics, are assembled in an unorthodox manner; some are right side up and others are upside down to show off the colorful prints. Sew yo-yos together; then attach them to the edge of the frame with a staple gun. For a fast finish, skip the sewing and use a hot-glue gun to secure yo-yos.

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Three of a Kind

This pillow and the two pillows that follow were all designed by Judy Sams Sohn. Judy mixed prints from designer Patty Young's Mezzanine collection for Michael Miller fabrics.

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Three of a Kind

Judy used a design wall to choose her prints so that she could move them around until she was pleased with the combination. If you don't have a design wall, use a piece of cotton flannel on a vertical surface.

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Three of a Kind

This design pairs a large-scale pattern with a small-scale pattern for added interest.Extra-large rickrack frames each of the fabrics.

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iPod Holder

Tuck-away pockets protect tune players and ear buds in a simple clip-on carrier. With the swivel hook that snaps onto jeans or totes, your music will go where you go. You'll want to make oodles for gifts or fashion accessories in today's bright paisleys, polka dots, or florals.

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Stylish Patchwork Bag

Sew with your favorite fabrics to make a Daisy Dazzler bag that's totally you. Vicki DeGraaf used paisleys and prints from M'Liss's Expressions line for Jo-Ann Stores to stitch up a stylish patchwork bag.

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Fleece Pillow Toys