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Starting sewing can be a little intimidating, but there are lots of easy, small sewing projects that are perfect for new stitchers. Here are a few of my favorites that are quick and easy to make, use straight stitches and small amounts of fabric.
Mug Rug
A mug rug (or coaster) is a great small sewing project because they can come out just about any size, you can use random scraps and its definitely OK if the stitching isn’t perfect.
I have a scrappy mug rug I sewed out of some random scraps, some of which are square and some are not. I made my own bias tape for binding the edges, and it isn’t sewn on perfectly or straight. And the piece has been washed so many times the raw edges are popping out all over.
But you know what? I love it and use it on my desk every day.
The mug rugs shown in the post I made with fat quarters, which is a great way to buy a small amount of fabric as a beginner. Or you can use old napkins or a worn out shirt to make this project.
If you don’t need a big mug rug like these, make the project half or even a quarter this size and make some coasters instead.
Cloth Napkins
A classic first sewing project is cloth napkins (or a larger version that can be used as a placemat). Much like a mug rug, napkins are easy to knit, though having and using an iron is vital.
I’ve made these so many times, in different sizes, using scraps or fabric purchased for the purpose. I even made a batch of 20+ for a staff retreat one time. They’re a fun batch sewing project and you can make them with holiday fabric to have special occasion napkins, or make them with whatever is handy and use them until they fall apart like I do.
Book Weight
If you’re a reader, a book weight is a small sewing project you’ll make, and make again, and wonder how you lived without them in every room of your house.
These little rectangles can be made with scrap fabric or leftovers from other projects. One of mine is an old napkin. You could make them out of a T-shirt.
The only thing that matters is that you have something heavy to put inside, whether it be beans or purchased poly pellets. That’s what holds your book open so you don’t have to (ideal if you knit or crochet while reading, or just don’t want to have to hold your book).
Corner Bookmark
One of my favorite small sewing patterns for beginners is a corner bookmark. These are easy to sew with a very small amount of fabric, you can make them in different sizes and, again, they’re imminently useful if you read physical books.
There are triangles involved, but the stitching is all still straight and, as usual, it doesn’t matter if your stitching is perfectly straight. Your bookmark will still work.
Make both of these gifts for a friend who reads and they’ll never know you are new to sewing!
Microwavable Hand Warmers
All of these small sewing projects for beginners have been useful so far, but if you hate the cold as much as I do, this one might be your favorite.
These microwavable hand warmers are filled with rice, so that when you warm them in the microwave they stay warm. Hold them in your hands, keep them in your coat pockets, tuck them into your mittens… You’ll be glad you learned to se just for these.
DIY Pillow Form
Lots of people want to learn to sew so that they can make items for their home, and knowing how to sew a pillow makes it easy to change up you couch pillows inexpensively.
Or if you knit or crochet you can make custom sized pillow forms to fit knit or crochet covers without having to hunt for them at the store.
I have made so many pillows through the years, from making a tiny nap pillow for my daughter when she was in preschool to pillows out of placemats we got for our wedding, to pillows to cover with knit or crochet and pillows made from favorite old T-shirts. It’s such as easy project you’ll come back to again and again.
Nine Patch Pincushion
Other people get into sewing because they want to make quilts. There are even small sewing projects that can help you gain confidence for quilting!
This little pincushion will be so useful in your sewing journey, and it’s made from a classic nine-patch quilt block.
And while quilt blocks will reward your accurate sewing with deeply satisfying matching seams, this is just a pincushion and will still hold pins even if the seams aren’t perfectly aligned.
Infinity Scarf Sewing Pattern
Another one of my favorite small sewing projects for new sewists is making loop scarves, aka infinity scarves. While this project isn’t quite as small as the other ones we have looked at, it’s still made with a rectangle and only involves two seams.
These are also great gifts to sew for other people, and when the scarf is on no one will be able to see if your sewing is straight.
Patchwork Scarf
And once you have some leftovers from other projects lying around you can make a patchwork scarf either as a straight scarf or a loop. Or you can use two rectangles of fabric to give your scarf some contrast.
Making patchwork fabric is a great way to use up scraps from other projects, and there are lots of ways to use patchwork fabric, too.
These small sewing projects for beginners should set you on your way with confidence to take on bigger projects soon!
