16 of Our Best Sewing Projects for Every Skill Level

Tea towel bread pouch — Credit:
Kate Mathis

Hoping to develop your sewing skills? These sewing projects will help you get more comfortable using needle and thread as well as your sewing machine. And while some beginner-friendly fabric crafts can feel basic or boring, you'll create pieces you'll actually use with these sewing projects.

A selection of some of our favorites from throughout the years, the craft ideas below will show you how easy it is to DIY everyday items. From scrunchies and accessories to baskets and floor runners, it's all possible with these sewing projects for every skill level.

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Scrunchie

Keep your hair pulled back in style by making these adorable scrunchies. The accessory can be made with about any fabric (but cotton is easiest for beginners), needle, and thread. Once you perfect this sewing project, you can make a scrunchie to match every outfit.

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02 of 16

Stuffed Paper Hearts

parchment paper heart craft — Credit: Lennart Weibull

Sewing isn't exclusive to fabrics. These pretty-in-pink paper heart pouches are stuffed with tokens of love, then quickly stitched along the edge on a machine. Make a batch of them for holidays, birthday parties, baby showers, or any occasion worthy of heartfelt sentiment.

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03 of 16

Canvas Log Bag

canvas wood carried bag — Credit: Kate Mathis

This easy-to-make canvas log bag will look great sitting next to your fireplace. Measure out one piece of canvas, 18 1/2 x 36 1/2 inches; then fold under sides of canvas by 1/2 inch, and press with a clothing iron. Fold under by another 1/2 inch, and hem all around. Using a stitching needle and waxed thread, hand-stitch leather handles onto center of short sides of canvas.

04 of 16

Cat Hammock

Give your feline a cozy place to cuddle up by making them this cat hammock. It's made by sewing together two squares of fabric then stuffing the inside with batting. To suspend the hammock, sew a ribbon onto each corner of the bed and secure it to a table with a top platform opening.

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05 of 16

Tea-Towel Bread Pouch

A handmade tea towel pouch with a freshly baked loaf tucked inside makes for a beautiful, personable gift. This bread pouch couldn't be easier to craft: Simply stitch together kitchen tea towels purchased at a discount or thrift store, leaving the top open for homemade baked goods.

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Knitting Basket

A hand-sewn basket to store all your sewing supplies? It's a little meta—but oh-so cute. It's easier than it looks, too, and we love how this project upcycles a knit sweater that you already own or snagged at a thrift store.

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07 of 16

Waterproof Book Covers

An ideal gift for a book lover, these hand-sewn book covers will protect pages from sand and surf. Cut a rectangle of oilcloth as wide as the object you want to hold, plus 1/2 inch for seams, and 2 1/4 times its height. (For a horizontal pouch, flip these dimensions). Fold to form a pocket shape with right side facing outward, stitch up the edges, and then add self-adhesive Velcro fasteners to secure.

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Drawstring Pouches

These drawstring pouches can hold all sorts of trinkets and jewelry pieces (they're especially useful for travel). P.S. You can use those leftover fabric scraps stashed at the bottom of your craft drawer.

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09 of 16

Felt Hot-Water Bottle Cozy

hot-water bottle felt sleeve — Credit: Raymond Hom

Is there anything cozier than a hot water bottle? Yes—a hot water bottle in a soft handmade pouch. To make your own, cut two pieces of 10-by-15-inch felt. Sew the the three sides and then turn it inside out. Insert the bottle and cinch the top with ribbon.

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Dress and Blouse

Stitch up your own wardrobe with this versatile sewing pattern that allows you to choose from four different lengths of a blouse or dress. Use a lightweight cotton or linen that drapes well.

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Floor Runner

Transform small and inexpensive area rugs into a full-length runner. All you need is a needle and thread. Using a whipstitch, hand-sew four 22-by-33-inch carpets together along their horizontal sides, then knot the thread securely at the end of each seam.

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Rolled Hem Napkins

edged cloth napkins orange blue stripes folded — Credit: Sidney Bensimon

Elegant cloth napkins aren't just for special occasions. Your family deserves them too, and you can whip up a table's worth with one yard of any fabric and a sewing machine, no serger required. The quick and easy alternative? The zigzag stitch, a back-and-forth stitch typically used in fabrics to join two pieces edge-to-edge.

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Sleep Mask

Sleep through the night with our easy-to-make sleep mask, which will keep disturbances out of sight. Use our template to cut out each of the three layers that make up the mask, then pick soft fabrics in pretty patterns, put them together, and sew it all up. And because the bias tape serves as the trim, sewing is straightforward and foolproof.

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Drawstring Jewelry Pouch

This luxurious travel case keeps all your bits and baubles organized and tangle-free. Fashion one out of contrasting fabrics to make a pouch that's perfect for stashing rings, hair pins, and smaller accessories.

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Duvet Cover

If you have two sheets (old or new), it's simple to make your own duvet cover. Simply pair them up, and straight-line sew the tops and sides together. For extra ease, forgo the usual button closures at the bottom and add ribbon ties.

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Embroidered Stocking

mantle blue wall stocking — Credit:
Janelle Jones

Personalize these with the recipient's favorite hues and your own handwriting for Christmas décor that'll quickly become family heirlooms. Trust: the needlework is easier to master than it appears.

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