Sewing projects for beginners (10 amazingly easy first project ideas)

If you are a beginner to sewing, the first few projects you attempt may decide the fate of your sewing adventure. Even if it does not have a long term effect, it can definitely mar your attitude to sewing, may even stall it for a period.

If you choose the wrong project to start, you may get frustrated with the complicated sewing involved and you may end up never going anywhere near your sewing machine for a long time. It has happened to me. I chose to sew a chiffon top with a yoke and zipper for my first sewing project and almost threw in the towel. 

When you are starting to sew, try to start with something small and manageable. Something you do not need to bring your head around. Something you can complete without many complications.

Criteria for selecting beginner sewing projects

Learn the basics – Check out this page on tips for beginners learning to sew to know what are the tips and techniques you need to be aware of before you start to sew . Ofcourse you learn as you sew. But it is good to know.

Choose a simple pattern – Do not be over-ambitious or overconfident. Do not start with a jacket as your first sewing project. You will likely stop sewing for a long long time. or the worse – you will end up ruining your expensive fabric.

It is better that you tackle buttons and buttonholes, darts, pleats, collars, plackets etc a little further in your sewing adventure. Start with a simple pattern you are comfortable with and something you will use. You can be proud of your first project.

Choose uncomplicated fabric – Some fabrics are a dream to sew with but some are nightmares. Fabrics like cotton make sewing a pleasure. Try sewing with chiffon or satin in your initial days and likely you will end the adventure very soon. Delicate slippery fabrics are a no no for your beginner sewing.

Tip top Sewing machine – You do not need the latest sewing machine to sew, but the sewing machine you have should be well maintained and in good working order.

Make sure you learn everything about your sewing machine by reading your sewing machine manual. Refer this FAQ guide for any troubleshooting for your machine. It can be very frustrating to have your sewing machine decide to tangle all the thread or some such, when you start to sew.

Patience Patience Patience – This is very much needed especially in the beginning. You may have to refer a number of times for the correct techniques on the net or books. You may need to stop very often doubting about a lot of things.

Some good beginners sewing projects suitable for the sewing newbies are as follows:

First sewing projects

Sewing Machine Cover 

Make an easy sewing machine cover with just one single fabric piece of your choice.

DIY Pencil pouch

This post on making pencil pouches will give you instructions to make more than one type of pouches, all of them easy.

Easy top 

This is a tutorial to make a very easy top you can wear everyday.

Hair accessories 

You can try to make simple hair bands and accessories – follow these tutorials – make hair accessories and make hair bands – 20 tutorials; Make a simple hairband

Make a simple elastic skirt 

You can sew a simple elastic waist skirt with simple sewing skills.

Easy shopping bag

You can make this easy shopping bag with a flat bottom easily following this tutorial

DIY Scarf tops

You can easily turn your scarves into easy to make tops. Follow this tutorial.

A basic straight skirt

You can sew a simple skirt using this tutorial and maybe modify in to your choice.

Simple Summer top

Sew an easy to make strappy top following this tutorial.

Make a Party clutch

This is a very easy to make party clutch- check out the tutorial.

After tackling one or two of these projects you will feel more confident of your sewing skills and you will be ready to take on more complicated projects like a zippered bag or a full on dress.

After you have mastered basic sewing techniques you can go ahead and make beautiful things from these sewing patterns

Related posts: Easy drapey jacket sewing tutorial.