Stash and store necessities when you’re out and about. Use with your own clip-on wrist strap as a mini purse or ditch the strap and pop the pouch into a larger tote. A beginner-friendly project, but with fun, new techniques to try.
From selecting the fabric to plopping the pillow into place, this pretty project is a perfect way to create Décor in a Day. We used our favorite tapering technique to help prevent crumpled corners.
“Ragging” means the fabric panels are sewn together so the seams show on the outside rather than being hidden on the inside. After washing and drying, the seams gently fray or rag, On fun pillows like these, it’s like faux fringe.
If a full-coverage apron feels like too much, switch to a lightweight half apron for casual cooking and serving. This beginner-friendly project takes just a couple yards of fabric and can be finished in an afternoon.
If you’re brand new to bags, this is a super quick and easy project to kick off your experience. It starts as one long panel, then folds up with finished seams inside and out. Dive into your scrap stash for your best bold prints.
This project is excellent for young kids or anyone just learning to sew. Classic bandanas on the outside, denim on the inside, layered webbing handles, and bound all around. Add a mini pom tassel for extra fun.
Outdoor dining season is coming; at least that’s what we’re telling ourselves as winter stubbornly clings on. Keep the faith and get ready with our darling, durable placemats that have built-in pockets to hold flatware and/or napkins.
When it comes to instant gratification, it’s hard to beat the pillowcase. A crisp, new pillowcase immediately brightens up your bed linens. It’s quick and fun to make them for all kinds of special occasions. These are reversible!
For new moms who prefer to cover up when nursing, this solution has boning encased in a channel along the top to create a little curved window so you can keep on eye on happy baby from up above.
Yay for the cloth napkin! Our floating rick rack technique lets you fancy-up a standard cloth napkin as a gift or just for everyday. It’s fun and easy, and you may already have everything you need on hand to whip up a stack in no time.
Looking for a quick and easy way to fancy-up your windows? A valance is faster than traditional curtain panels, and can even be used in conjunction with curtains or blinds to add some fashion flair. It’s like a little window skirt.
With triple the heart-stopping cuteness, our heart sachets hang three in a row on a ribbon with a ring at the top and a button weight at the bottom. Use them to add a bit of scented sweetness anywhere it’s needed.
Infinity scarves are a trend that just keeps going and growing. You can find them in everything from chunky wools to sheer voiles to this wide wrap in a sparkling knit. It finishes at apx. 86″ x 12” – enough length for a double or triple loop.
Pillowcases are the #1 project for beginning sewers. We’ve designed a coordinated set of shams and cases, both of which are sized to fit standard bed pillows (20” x 26”). This article includes the steps for the pillowcases with their bold floral fabric, and featuring pretty bow closures and peek-a-boo facings in gingham to match
Freshen up your bedroom or a guest room with a set of beautiful bed linens. We’ve designed a coordinated set of shams and pillowcases, both of which are sized to fit standard bed pillows (20” x 26”). This article includes the steps for the shams with their pretty all-around ruffles and cute button-back closure. Pillow
Our soft shoulder bag is beginner friendly but with a very stylish finish. The cool strap-and-tassel closure is a look we spotted on some of the trendiest designer bags. To get the signature slouch, look for a very fine wale corduroy.
With clever cutting and careful stitching, this ribbon-accented bag is super cute and super easy. No complicated corners or closures, and the main body of the bag is a heavy wool felt, one of the most forgiving fabrics for new sewers.
Our super soft body pillow offers 4½ feet of huggability. It’s a must-have for crashing on the family room floor, relaxing (I mean studying), and it can provide sleep support for pregnant moms or full body support for napping dads.
Instantly transform windows from plain and boring to pretty and bright. These simple yet stylish curtains combine two fabrics and use a simple row of ribbons to tie the top in place. Panels are lined for extra sun-blocking power.
Charm squares are just that: charming little chunks of fabric, 5″ x 5″ squares from all the patterns and colorways within a given fabric collection. Stitch them end-to-end to create the ruffle strip around a fun and colorful pillow.
New napkins are a fast, easy way to add a bit of sparkle to the table. We used a mid-weight metallic linen blend with a wide band of decorative stitching along one side. We also give you a list of the various napkin size options.
What’s faster than a pillow. Well… cheetahs, Italian sports cars, and the time it takes for your kids to age from 2 to 20 to name a few. So, let’s be more specific. When it comes to sewing projects, what’s faster and easier than a pillow? Nothing! This pillow design is certainly quick and easy,
This fast and easy pillowcase project demonstrates a construction technique known as “burrito style.” It’s a way to create nicely finished seams inside and out with a quick roll-and-turn method. Give it a go!
The box pleat is one of the easiest pleating techniques to master. We’ve used the inverted version to create a pair of simple yet stunning pillows. Use a single or double pleat; we give you measurements for both versions.
One of the best ways to update your home décor is with new curtains. This classic grommeted panel is a project you can turn to again and again. It’s fast and easy, and we give you all the formulas you need to adapt the sizing.
This would be a wonderful learn-to-sew project for kids! We show how to stitch right through our paper pattern pieces, making it simple to keep curves and angles spot-on, even around the sharp corners and tight curves.
If you’re learning to sew or teaching someone else, this pillow is a great first project. We spend extra time going over tools and techniques, and include links to other articles to help move you further along the learning curve.
A handsome binding in alternating fabrics is set against a field of soft, double-sided fleece. We personalized it with a name embroidered in one corner. Even if you’re brand new, you can create this blanket in just a couple hours.
A fun apron for the smaller chefs in your kitchen – boys and girls. It’s modeled on a classic French Chef’s apron – nice and long with full coverage + a generous front pocket. Make it in your favorite kid-happy quilting cottons.
On the “Easy Quilting Scale,” the rag quilt ranks right at the top. It’s sewn with the seams exposed, and the whole idea is to create a softly rumpled, very cuddly, wrap-me-up-now result. It’s a great gift idea in fall-tone batiks.
Add a little sparkle with metallic cottons. This is a fast and fun project that would be great for someone new to sewing. The waistband and ties are surprisingly easy to make, but give the apron a very professional look.
A pretty option for dining indoors or out. Cut, layer, stitch, serve (shaken not stirred). It’s just that easy, and as cute and colorful as can be. Super fast and a great option for scraps – especially leftover charm squares.
Tossing your sunglasses directly into a bag or tote is asking for scratches to the lenses. This extra-wide, extra-soft case is a great way to protect them and make them easier to spot in the jumble of a bag’s contents.
Soft and light as a cloud, our double gauze scarves are a perfect accessory for warmer weather. The deep ruffled ends add just the right bit of flounce without too much bulk. So lightweight, you can twist two together.
The slightly puffy border of this blanket is created with a cleverly seamed faux flange that sandwiches an extra-wide seam allowance. The secret ingredient: super soft plush fabric that gives the edge its added loft.
These tall wine bags mix the rustic feel of burlap with smooth cotton and a velvet or wire-edged ribbon. By cutting the heart appliqué from the same burlap as the main bag panels, it creates the look of a window on the front accent band.
A reusable gift bag can be almost as much fun as the present inside – especially when made in lovely colors and prints. These feature a cool eyelet-and-cording top closure. Use your favorite quilting cottons.
We're often asked for more projects that can be done by beginners or used as projects to help teach someone to sew - especially a child. Wish granted. We have three wonderful pillow projects we've dubbed Xtra EZ. Not only are the steps themselves just that: extra easy, we've also made sure there are specific techniques
They’re made from leather remnants. The half-square triangles go together in a snap, and the soft wool-felt backing makes them safe for any surface. Super fast and easy. No edge finishing since neither leather or felt will fray.
Not only is this a delightful way to put some favorite fabric scraps to work, it’s also a great trick to extinguish a potential bad hair day. These reversible ties are quick to make. Just twist, tie, and fly.
Everyone loves a fast and easy project, and these pretty pillowcases fit the bill! A new pillowcase is a great way to freshen a set of bed linens. Kids are especially happy to rest their sleepy heads on pillows covered in fun fabric. We originally used the Playful collection by Melody Miller for Cotton +