Everyone is a sewing newcomer at one time or another. Sewing is a wonderful creative outlet that provides a useful lifelong skill set while potentially saving money on store-bought items. Many, many decades ago, when beginning sewing was taught in middle or high school as part of a home economics class, the first, and usually only, sewing project taught was the uncomplicated rectangular tote bag. Useful and functional, the basic tote is sewn with straight machine stitching and is undoubtedly a great first project. With a little embellishment – fabric flowers, beading or stenciled design element for example, the simple tote can become much like an artist’s blank canvas, the foundation for an artistic original design.

Leaning to sew a tote is a great basic beginning project however a new sewer might want to try a sewing project that will continue to inspire and reward.

Some Easy to Sew Project Ideas for Beginning Sewers

Fabric catch-all trays are so easy to make and really very useful. Cosmetics, jewelry, specialty crackers or tea bags or just about anything can be placed in them. All that is needed to make the simple fabric trays – two 6-inch (or 8-inch or any size desired) woven cotton type fabric squares, one piece of batting and embroidery floss or thread. With the fabric pieces right sides together and same size batting placed on top, stitch all together in a 1/4-inch seam, leaving one side with a small, unstitched opening for turning right sides out. Carefully clip each corner diagonally close to but not through stitches to reduce fabric bulk when turning right sides out. Turn right sides out, shape and press the square shape, then hand stitch or machine stitch the small opening to close. Top stitch slightly in from all edges. To make the base of the tray, mark a 2-inch square in the middle of the tray equidistant from all sides using a fabric chalk pencil or straight pins and stitch again along the marked square. Finally, pinch one corner near to the corner's edge in order to hand sew a few stiches to keep the corners together or hand sew ribbons to the corners just 1/2-inch or slightly more at the top of the pinched corners and tie ribbons in a bow. Do this to all corners and the practical fabric catch-all tray is finished. Great gift giving idea too when filled with wrapped chocolates or hard candies.

Some additional easy to sew projects can be found online at a variety of sewing related websites. The following are just a few!

Tissue pocket holder – gain confidence using the sewing machine when a quick to make gift idea is needed. Simple every day sewing can be functional and practical.

Pennant banner for special occasions – sewing the same triangular or simple shapes repeatedly helps the sewer gain confidence in creating a neat, even seam line.

Pin cushion – how to add creative whimsy to a simple sewing endeavor.

Sleep mask – sewing one can introduce beginners to sewing seam allowances that curve inward and outward as well as how and why to clip curves for turning right sides out.

Fabric flowers – adding an easy to make fabric flower shows how a simple embellishment can greatly enhance even the simplest of sewing projects.

E-Reader cover – sewing a functional protective slip-in cover for an e-Reader is a great way to practice careful measuring, cutting, and sewing straight seams for covering just about anything.

Helping a sewing newcomer to learn the satisfying and creative skill of sewing is not only rewarding itself but passes along a valuable lifelong skill.

Sew happy, sew inspired.