Claire Hoppe Norgaard is an editorial assistant at Better Homes & Gardens. She strives to make people feel at home in her spaces.
Whether you’re just starting to learn how to sew or have mastered the sewing machine, our easy sewing projects are sure to please users of all skill levels. You can sew your own tote bags for shopping at the farmers market or make eco-friendly kitchen essentials like zero-waste sponges and reusable snack bags. We even have easy instructions for making your own home decor like curtains, ottomans, and more.
Use our free sewing patterns to easily complete these simple sewing projects for yourself or as gifts. These easy crafts will be interesting not only for beginners, but also for experienced crafters.
This six-pocket tote is easy and simple to make and has everything you need for your daily errands. This handmade bag comes in three fabric options, making it easy to create a tote that suits your style.
Update your table setting with this handmade oilcloth table runner. This easy-to-clean tablecloth is the perfect project for beginner sewists and only requires three steps.
With our step-by-step guide, making curtains will no longer be a hassle. We will teach you how to measure, cut and sew professional window treatments that will instantly transform your space.
Use our free pattern to sew this roomy tote bag. Its extra-large interior and exterior pockets are perfect for storing fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, or even a bottle of wine. We’ve decorated this bag with pretty paisley fabric and added a loop on the outside to hang a bouquet of flowers.
This roll-up fabric storage bag is not only easy and simple to sew, but it also easily stores unused scattered tools and accessories for easy portability! This clever organizer is specially designed to hold eco-friendly reusable tubes or makeup brushes and features divider pockets to keep a variety of wide and narrow items organized. Once rolled up, tighten the ties at both ends for easy storage.
This DIY tote bag is simple and easy to make, but makes a bold statement. We paired two neutral fabrics with a bold floral print to create a handy bag that’s perfect for your weekly farmers market pick-ups, library books, or pool essentials.
Store your sewing supplies in this handy bag. Simply choose two fabrics, one for the outer layer and one for the lining, and you can quickly create this stylish fabric knot bag. It can be used to store knitting supplies or as a reusable shopping bag.
Pack your lunch and say goodbye to throwing away plastic bags! These eco-friendly reusable snack bags make it easy, whether you’re packing a full meal or a quick snack. Since the lining is waterproof, you can velcro it shut (to keep snacks from spilling out!) and wash it as needed. Try pairing it with a beeswax wrap to reduce plastic use in other areas of the kitchen.
With a little decorative repair, you can give new life to worn-out clothes, curtains, or a duvet cover. Learn the basics of visible darning and sock darning. You only need to learn a few simple stitches to complete this easy sewing project.
Making practical DIY decorations is much easier than you might think. You can make your own ottoman in about two hours, and it will be much cheaper than buying one from a furniture store. And if you make it yourself, you can choose a fabric that will perfectly match your existing decor.
Dress up your windows with a set of DIY bobby pin curtains. Making curtains is as easy as choosing your fabric and measuring the space accurately. We’ll show you how to complete this easy sewing project.
This washable, reusable sandwich wrap eliminates the need for plastic bags or containers. All you need is a piece of patterned fabric, a waterproof liner, and Velcro—and it’s so easy to sew! Stock up on extra plastic wrap in different sizes to fit your family, and never worry about plastic waste from packed lunches again.
Turn a treasured shirt into a DIY decorative piece. This easy sewing project will allow you to create your own pillow in just a few simple steps. The pillow size is also easily adjustable to fit any filling.
Use your sewing skills to give existing furniture a new look. Folded sofa cushions are easy to fill with foam, down, or polyester fiber. Some chair and sofa cushions have zippers, making them easy to fill, but if your furniture doesn’t have zippers, you can easily unzip them, stuff them, and then sew them shut.
In just a few minutes, you can sew your own zero-waste kitchen sponge. The outer layer can be sewn from any cotton fabric, so you can choose a pattern to match your home’s decor. (It’s also a great way to use up leftover fabric!) Fill the sponge with mildew-resistant polyester cotton and cover it with coarse mesh for extra cleaning.
If you have a set of dish towels that you love but think are too pretty to use, turn them into decorative items. You can quickly and easily decorate your windows with curtain ring clips, or follow our DIY curtain panel tutorial to sew your own permanent curtains for small projects.
Turn old jeans into something new! This DIY dog bed made from denim rags is not only fashionable, but also very durable. Our design includes an envelope closure that can be easily removed for cleaning when needed.
Custom curtains can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. You can sew your own Roman shades for a more cost-effective, custom effect. The hardest part of this project was choosing the fabric. These curtains are easy to assemble after careful measurement.
Decorate your home with sewn fabric garlands. The pieces for these garlands are so small you only need a quarter yard of fabric, and they’re super easy to sew together using bias binding! Add a touch of sweetness to a girl’s bedroom with a fun floral pattern, or create your own party decorations with a holiday theme.
This DIY weighted blanket can help you get a good night’s sleep! Homemade weighted blankets are more affordable than expensive store-bought weighted blankets. Find a weighted blanket that is right for your weight.
Learn how to reupholster fabric furniture to give it a whole new look. It’s an easy way to repurpose stained, worn, or outdated furniture without spending a fortune on new pieces.
Add a little sweetness to your morning with three elegant coffee cup covers. They can be used not only for storing hot drinks, but also for iced coffee.
Add some holiday cheer to someone’s kitchen by gifting them handmade oven mitts and potholders. This would make a fun Christmas or housewarming gift.
Instead of traditional bookends, sew sandbags out of colorful fabrics to organize books, files, and folders. Cut two 8×10-inch pieces of fabric, place them right sides together, and sew the three edges together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn it right side out and place it in a resealable plastic bag filled with sand. Topstitch all the pieces together.
Protect your electronic devices with a DIY tablet case. Make a protective case using two pieces of fabric and several layers of felt. Finally, you can close the case with snaps or velcro to ensure it stays securely closed.
Cloth napkins can be customized, making them easy to make even for sewing novices. Simply sew two pieces of fabric together using a simple stitch to create a double-sided napkin. Plus, if your napkin gets dirty during a meal, just throw it in the washing machine.
Buy a new set of pillowcases without breaking the bank. Make your own pillowcases and pillows to coordinate with the rest of your bedding. Lighten up a ready-made pillow by adding decorative strips of fabric, or repurpose an entire pillowcase from a larger piece of fabric.