Easy Sewing Projects for Fashion and Crafts
Easy Sewing Projects and Crafts With Purchased Patterns
Patterns for easy sewing projects are available through each of the "big 4" pattern makers ( Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, and Vogue) as well as through many of the lesser known smaller pattern companies. And... you are not limited to just clothing. You can find patterns designed for sewing beginners and sewing intermediates in the home decor, baby and specialty areas as well.
If you haven't looked lately,
Butterick shows 105 patterns for easy sewing projects
on their website,
Simplicity shows 48 patterns
on theirs and
McCalls's is up to 52.
If you are curious about Vogue and any other pattern makers, you can check them out using the search box at the end of this page!
No matter what type of sewing project, easy or advanced, you are looking to do, you can find a sewing pattern to get you started.
One more thing! Don't overlook sewing magazines! Two great ones are Threads and Sew News. Both offer advice, instruction and ideas for people at all skill levels.
Want to know more about working with ready made patterns?
Here are a few tips and resources for your next sewing projects
which I hope you will find useful.
More Easy Sewing Projects. Let's Get Creative!
If you can trace around an object or trace each piece of an object, and remember to add a seam allowance to each piece you have traced around before you cut, YOU can make your own sewing patterns.
You can also come up with easy sewing and craft projects using ready made items!
Ok, now you're asking, "Like what?"
Placemat Purses Stores are full of adorable placemats that change with the seasons. Some of my favorites are those that are tapestry inspired.
See how to turn a tapestry placemat or any other placemat into a fun and pretty purse.
Grosgrain Ribbon Belts Affordable and easy to make. You'll get hooked on
making grosgrain ribbon belts for yourself and everyone in your family.
Make Diaper Burp Cloths! They're adorable, useful and easy to make. Take a look at my
how to make burp cloths page
for tips and ideas about this easy sewing project.
Cute Door Hangers Don't limit yourself to purchased "in the hoop" door hanger embroidery designs.
With your embroidery sewing machine, you can make your own easy to sew door hangers!
They are "sew" simple.
Fabric Covered Koozies! If you like to use your machine embroidery feature,
make some fun fabric covered koozies
and personalize them or add some other kind of embellishment!
Cloth Napkins! A napkin is nothing more than a square piece of fabric, usually made from cotton or linen, and extremely easy to make.
Add this to your stash of easy sewing projects. Get instructions here!
Headbands! With the 60's and 70's retro look back in fashion (did it ever really leave?) fabric headbands are showing up again on models and celebrities. Guess what? They are so simple to make! They are a super easy sewing project. Find some soft, stretchy knit material and pull it to see which direction gives you the most stretch. You will want to cut your pattern piece with the longest measurement going the same direction as the stretch for the most comfort. I cut mine 6 inches by 22 inches (again, the stretch needs to go with the longest measurement). You may need to cut yours a little longer, depending on your head size. After cutting, fold the fabric in half, with the longest edges right sides together and stitch or serge about a three eighths to half inch seam. (Your headband will now be about three inches wide.) With the right sides still together, stitch one end closed leaving the other side open. From the open end, turn the fabric right sides out. Stitch closed the open end or serge it closed. Put the two short ends together and sew or serge a narrow seam. Flip the material, so the stitching is on the inside where it doesn't show. It won't matter if the edge is not clean finished, it won't show if you wear it with the seam down under your hair. Enjoy your new headband! They are so easy and fast to make, you'll want to do several for yourself, family and friends!
Appliques! Here's a fun easy sewing project for you. Do you have a lot of cute cookie cutters in the kitchen drawer?
They aren't just for making cookies!
That butterfly shape would look great sewn in a polka-dot print!
Placemats! Do you look at the placemats on your table and wonder what possessed you to buy them in the first place? (“What was I thinking? They don’t go with this color scheme!") Make a pattern and sew new ones! Placemats are incredibly easy to make. You can even quilt them. The same goes for your potholders.
Homemade Pet Toys! Many of "Fido's" and "Miss Kitty's" toys are nothing more than two pieces of fabric sewn together and stuffed. Time for a replacement? Trace around the old one or be creative and draw a whole new shape. (Remember to add a seam allowance.) This is an easy sewing project that even kids can be involved in. Just be sure to use fabrics suitable for being chewed on and prewash to get all the excess dyes and chemicals out. (No, it probably won't hurt - after all they do eat dead things from time to time. However, I like to keep the barf potential to a miminum.) Don't want to make your own patterns? Patterns for pet clothes and toys are available from most pattern companies.
Pillows! Are the decorator pillows on the sofa wearing thin? Take out the pillow form and make a new cover using the old one as your guide. Making pillows is another easy sewing project. Check the clearance and remnants section at your local fabric stores and the on-line stores. There are always fabulous home decor fabrics available at reasonable prices. (Want to have some fun? Tell your spouse or significant other that you had them made by an interior decorator and it only cost you $150, each.)
Here's a fun idea for pillows from t-shirts as well as information on a couple of books for more t-shirt fun.
Heatpacks! Make them for yourself or for gifts. They are
sew easy!
Turn a sweatshirt into a cardigan! You don't need to buy a sewing pattern for this one. This idea for an easy sewing project has been around for several years. They are easy to make and very comfortable to wear. Sweatshirts are inexpensive to purchase and the decorative possibilities are endless. You can use fabric paint, hand or machine embroidery, applique, crystals, fringe, whatever!
See how here.
If you don't want to make something from scratch or from a sewing pattern, buy it ready made and add your own special touch using your machine's many different
decorative stitching options for easy sewing projects.
If you have a machine that converts to embroidery, you already know all the wonderful possibilities to get creative!
Are you feeling inspired yet?
Good!
Look over there! I think I see another easy sewing project.
ALSO - Don't forget to check the websites of pattern companies and sewing machine manufacturers for free easy sewing projects and patterns! Use the search bar below and visit Babylock, BerninaUSA, Janome (just to name a few) and the major sewing pattern companies.
Happy stitching!

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