As someone who picked up sewing again earlier this year, I’ve been on the hunt for the best beginner-friendly projects to build my skills. The ideal beginner sewing projects are simple to follow, help develop basic techniques, and boost your confidence without requiring complex skills you haven’t mastered yet. In this post, I’m sharing 10 easy sewing projects perfect for beginners, along with links to patterns or tutorials to help you get started.
For beginner sewing, I’ve chosen projects that use minimal materials and tools, have simple, straightforward instructions, and can generally be completed quickly. While you can absolutely dive into a full quilt or more complex project if you’re feeling ambitious, starting with smaller projects can help you build your skills and confidence. That way, when you do tackle something bigger, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with the final result.
10 Easy Beginner Sewing Projects
1. Scrunchies
Estimated time to complete: 15- 30 minutes
Scrunchies are quick to complete and a great way to use up scrap fabric. You don’t need a formal pattern to make them, which makes this project very beginner-friendly. You’ll practice turning fabric right side out, inserting elastic, and sewing straight lines.
Want to get creative? Try making ruffled scrunchies, using specialty fabrics like satin or knit, or adding a bow for extra flair.
If you are looking for detailed instructions on how to create a scrunchie, check out a quick video tutorial on Reels, Tiktok, or Youtube. You can also follow a written tutorial here.
2. Fabric Bookmark
Estimated time to complete: 15- 30 minutes
Fabric bookmarks are simple, useful, and perfect for practicing precision. This project helps you work on creating sharp corners, turning fabric inside out, straight stitching, and topstitching. It’s another one that doesn’t require a pattern.
If you’re curious about quilting, this is also a great small-scale project to try it out.
For detailed instructions on how to make a fabric bookmark, you can check out a tutorial here or here. There are also quick videos on Reels, Tiktok, or Youtube.
3. Quilted Zipper Pouches
Estimated time to complete: 1.5 hours- 2.5 hours
If you’re ready for a slightly more challenging project, try a quilted zipper pouch. It’s still beginner-friendly, but adds new techniques like installing a zipper and light quilting. You’ll also practice sewing straight seams and assembling a lined pouch.
To make it your own, add design details like ruffles, a label, or an inner pocket. You don’t need a formal pattern for a flat version, but it helps to follow one if it’s your first time.
For detailed instructions on how to make a quilted zipper pouch, you can check out a tutorial here. There are also quick videos on Reels, Tiktok, or Youtube.
4. Tote Bag
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour – 5 hours
ote bags come in endless variations, from super simple to slightly more advanced. As a beginner, you can easily start with a basic pattern or follow a free video tutorial like this one. If you’re looking for something that might challenge you a bit more, I personally love the Faye Slouchy Bow Bag sewing pattern on Etsy (here).
This project helps you build foundational sewing skills such as cutting and measuring fabric, sewing straight seams, pressing and topstitching, attaching straps, and optionally boxing corners. It’s also a great introduction to following patterns and making something practical and giftable.
5. Drawstring Bag
Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes- 1 hour
Drawstring bags are functional and customizable. This project can help you practice skills such as fabric casing, threading drawstrings, and sewing straight seams. You can also scale the project up or down.
If you want to try your hand at making a drawstring bag, you can check out the free tutorial here.
6. Apron
Estimated time to make: 1 hour- 3 hours
If you’re interested in sewing clothing, an apron is a great first option for you. Aprons typically use more fabric than some of the other easy beginnner sewing projects on the list, but typically just requires straight stitching and hemming. You can also be creative with adding rufles, pockets, or adjustable straps!
If you want to try an easy pattern for a basic apron, I linked a tutorial here. If you want to try a pattern that you can practice more technique, I’ve been eyeing this cute apron pattern on Etsy with ruffles here.
7. Pot Holder or Oven Mitt
Estimated time to make: 45 minutes – 1 hour
A pot holder or oven mitt is a great introduction to quilting and sewing with thicker layers. Since you would be using this project to remove hot items from the oven or stove, you would need to add an insulating material which is another great skill.
I’ve seen lots of tutorials for oven mitts on Reels, Tiktok, and Youtube. If you want a written tutorial, you can check out an oven mitt tutorial here or a pot holder tutorial here. These can also make great hostess or Christmas gifts in a themed basket!
8. Fabric Bunting or Garland
Estimated time to make: 30 minutes- 1.5 hours
A fabric bunting is a festive, scrap-friendly project that’s great for parties, nursery decor, or seasonal decor. You’ll practice cutting consistent shapes, turning and pressing, and sewing multiple pieces together with a bias tape or fabric strip. Depending on how long your garland will be, you can put this together pretty quickly!
For a free fabric bunting tutorial, you can check out a tutorial here.
9. Baby Bib
Estimated time to make: 30 minutes- 1 hour
There are so many versatile and easy beginner projects to make things for babies! One of the reasons that I started sewing was because I wanted to make things for my baby. One easy project that you can knock out in just an hour is making a baby bib. You can customize them with your fabric choice and there are tons of options for fastening it (snap, button, velcro, knot).
There are so many different bib patterns to choose from, but I think this faux knotted bib is too cute! It also gives you a chance to test out a button hole foot.
10. Scrunchie Wristlet Keychain
Estimated time to complete: 30–45 minutes
A fun twist on a scrunchie that doubles as a keychain or wristlet. You’ll practice working with elastic, sewing in a loop, and attaching hardware like a key ring or D-ring. So far, I’ve made a ton of the scrunchie wristlets and a longer version for a lanyard! They are so fun to make and also are a cute gift.
These are similar to making a scrunchie but with a few extra steps like adding the hardware. I followed along a Reel to get the measurements to make mine, but you can also follow along this Youtube video!
10 Easy Beginner Sewing Projects
Whether you’re just getting started with sewing or picking it back up after a break, these beginner-friendly projects are the perfect way to build your skills and gain confidence. From quick and simple makes like scrunchies and bookmarks to more involved items like tote bags and zipper pouches, there’s something here for every comfort level. I hope I gave you a few ideas on some easy projects that you can try if you’re a beginner sewer.
As always, you can find me on Instagram @maddie_deer here, or you can follow me on my Facebook page to be alerted of any new posts here. Thanks for reading! 🙂
