21+ Free Sewing Patterns for Beginners

Are you looking for cute free sewing patterns? Let me show you some amazing sewing projects for beginners! Start by picking some fabric that inspires you, choose any one of these free tutorials, and get ready to have some fun learning to sew. If a download ready PDF is what you want, you are in luck. I have printable PDF files available for almost all of my free sewing patterns.

Before you scroll away through all these beginner sewing patterns, let me invite you to enter one of my SewCanShe giveaways. I always have great prizes from some of my sweet blog sponsors or from my own stash. You’ll also want to sign up for my daily newsletter that includes a link to our featured tutorial (the PDF format file for the featured tutorial is free for one day only). Plus you’ll find out about all my new patterns too!

Microwavable Soup Bowl Cozies

Everyone loves using soup bowl cozies, and lucky for us they are just so easy to sew! My free bowl cozy tutorial includes three different sizes. Have fun making this great gift for everyone you know.

Sew a fast and easy fabric basket that’s reversible too. Make a basket with 10” layer cake squares or from leftover pieces of fabrics and a little fusible interfacing. This free pattern requires simple straight line sewing which makes it a perfect beginner’s project. Who doesn’t need a few reversible fabric baskets to use at your desk or near your sewing machine?

Log Cabin Hexi Potholders

This beginner friendly project introduces several techniques every sewist will use in many other projects. It teaches a variation of the classic log cabin block technique, how to use partial seams, and free motion quilting. The center of this design is a hexagon. My step-by-step instructions feature helpful photos so you can see how to do everything. These log cabin hexi potholders make great gifts anyone would be pleased to get. They will also look great in your own kitchen.

One Yard Apron

I have a LOT of free apron patterns here on my blog, but by far the easiest and most popular one is my 1 Yard Magic Free Apron Pattern. You’ll be sewing aprons for all your friends (well, as many friends as you have yards of fabric!).

Double Sided Lanyard

This pretty double sided lanyard is an easy sewing project. You can use two coordinating fabrics to make this lanyard twice as nice. Start sewing fabric strips with straight and zigzag seams. You will learn how to topstitch and backstitch too in this free sewing tutorial.

Fold Over Messenger Bag

If you have never sewn a bag before, this is the easiest one in the world! Grab a yard of fabric and make a simple messenger bag today.

Teacher Tote Bag

Surprise your favorite teacher with a powerful statement bag with this teacher tote bag. Sew this easy bag in a flash using canvas and cotton fabrics; complete with an inset zipper and pretty quilting cotton straps. The tote doesn’t require a lining so it is easy for any beginner to tackle. It also makes the perfect machine embroidery project. The embroidery is optional but does add a lovely detail. you must try.

Easy Drawstring Backpack

Every sewing newbie must try making this easy peasy drawstring backpack. From the casings to the loops to the drawstrings, this backpack is an all-fabric pattern that you can make with just one fabric or more if you have lots of them.

Beginner Friendly Pochi Pouch

Keep your supplies, cosmetics, or pens in this cute pochi pouch. Learn how to make a Japanese style zipper pouch with a flat bottom to help it stand up. This project will enhance your sewing skills even more with all the sewing techniques in this tutorial.

Pet’s Cage Comforter

Give your adorable pet additional comfort by sewing him this cage comforter. This blanket will provide a soft bed and a sense of security for any pet – including your own. A pillowcase could be used as the foundation of this project. Try a piece of fleece or flannel as the batting. A towel could also serve as the filling.This would be a wonderful community service project for any youth group. Animal shelters and veterinary clinics would love to have these donated to them. This easy project can be completed so quickly you are sure to make lots of them.

DIY Tiny Quilt Magnets

Less than 2” tall, this DIY tiny quilt magnet is a fun, easy and quick sewing project. Beginners often avoid small projects but you will want to try these little half square triangles. Even beginner sewists soon acquire a few scraps that are perfect for these little gems. Stick them on your fridge, dishwasher, bulletin board or everywhere else and see how decorative they are. Make some for your friends while you are at it.

Easy Pet Leash

Here’s a wonderful project for sewers who have pets at home. Sewing this leash made from quilt scraps is a good way to practice basic sewing skills. You will love how quickly you improve your straight line sewing skills. You can finish this in less than an hour, too. Expand your pet’s wardrobe by sewing a matching collar.

Kids Pajama Pants

Learn how to sew cute kids’ pajama pants with my free and easy pattern! It has an elastic waist and guess what? No hemming! You can use quilting cotton, knit fabric, flannel, or even fleece with this design that uses just one pattern piece. When my kids were little I used it to sew all their Christmas jammies!

DIY Journal Bookmark and Pencil Holder

This DIY journaling bookmark with a pencil holder is the perfect gift for young writers. Make them quickly using jelly roll strips. They can be embellished with embroidery or beading. Add a button for another fun embellishment. This new tutorial is practical and so quick and easy to make.

Patchwork Tote Bag

Another fun, fast, and easy project to try is this patchwork tote bag. This sewing pattern is the perfect scrap buster for all your leftover fabrics. It may look complicated, but it is done with just vertical and horizontal seams. When you are ready for a larger project like a table runner or a patchwork quilt, you will have the skills necessary for success.

If you want to try sewing other bags and purses, make sure you check out all of these free bag patterns.

A DIY Infinity Scarf

This DIY Infinity Scarf uses just half a yard of fabric. I made mine from voile but you could use any lightweight to midweight cotton like linen or chambray. Jersey or a double knit fabric would also be a good fabric choice. It makes a fashionable accessory that you can wear anywhere. Sewing French seams and a ¼” hem can be super easy after all. Learn how in this tutorial. It’s a great way to start your sewing journey.

Bit O’kindness Pouches

Spread a bit of kindness by handing over these bit o’kindness pouches filled with a little surprise. This is an easy sewing tutorial you will master in no time. You can create these little pouches using just plain straight stitches or zigzags. Use non-fraying felt and topstitch for a perfect place to try some of the decorative stitches many introductory level sewing machines include. Scrap fabric is a perfect option for these little pouches. Once you master sewing these, you might find yourself making a hundred.

Easy Applique with Novelty Fabric

Turn your plain, ordinary shirt into an extraordinary one. Design it with this cute applique with novelty fabric sewing tutorial. Suddenly, you will begin to see fabric prints in a whole new way as you look for sections that can be fussy cut and used as appliques on just about anything. Appliques can be used on many garments including shirts, dresses, skirts, and jackets. They can also dress up tote bags and pouches.

Reusable Lunchbag

Sew a small reusable lunchbag with wipe-clean fabric on the inside. It’s super easy with Velcro instead of zippers. Learn to use Insulbright batting to keep your food at temperature, whether it is hot or cold. This beginner sewing project includes making a fabric handle and a cute standup pleated bottom.

Beginner Friendly Tied Quilt

Beautiful and comforting, this tied quilt is super easy to make. Made with 9 patch blocks, the quilt top is pieced together with flannel fabric for the backing. This fun quilt is a great first sewing project. Embroidery floss or yarn can be used to tie the quilt top. Learn how to tie a square knot to keep the layers from separating. This would be a good project to practice free motion quilting using a stitch in the ditch technique and straight line quilting. Learn how to make bias binding to finish your quilt edges. It isn’t difficult and will expand your sewing skills. Sewing is a learned skill that takes a little practice.

Easy Fat Quarter Tea Towels

The tutorial for these easy fat quarter tea towels is a perfect sewing pattern for beginners. With just two fat quarters and some pearl cotton, you can make this cute towel in just a few minutes. Use vibrant colored fabrics to brighten up your kitchen. Add some decorative trim like rickrack to dress these up a bit. Pretty tea towels are not just accessories for your kitchen decor. They are functional as well as. Your glasses will be lint free when dried with a linen tea towel.

DIY Heating Pad

Turn your hugs into a gift with this DIY heating pad. When microwaved for 1-2 minutes, it gives the right warmth to the neck or shoulders. It helps relieve stress by relaxing tired muscles and easing tension. The clear step by step instructions will walk you through this project. It is as easy as any sewing pattern for beginners can be. Take your time and you will love the results. Send it as a gift to someone you know who works a lot. It will definitely mean a lot to them.

Canvas Book Bag

This canvas book bag is perfect for your ‘grab and go’ stash of reading materials. It also has small pockets on the sides so you can carry other important items. With this tutorial, mixing inexpensive natural cotton duck fabric with colorful fabric prints is fun and exciting. The handles are padded with some batting scraps and are another opportunity to practice straight line sewing. This easy to follow tutorial will guide you through another simple beginner sewing project. Expand your skill set with the addition of pockets. You will be amazed at how easy they are to make and add to this book bag.

Fabric Covered Art Journal

If you love doodling, sketching, keeping a journal, or doing other arts, this lovely fabric covered art journal is for you. It can also be a sketchbook for those who love to draw. Having one of these is really motivating and inspiring. Check out this fun and easy sewing pattern for beginners.

Sewing patterns for beginners need to be easy to understand, require few supplies, and provide practice for foundational sewing skills. Learn a few new techniques in short practice sessions while reinforcing old ones. Each project can be completed in one or two sewing sessions. They come with step-by-step tutorials and free templates so that even total novices can complete them successfully. Experienced sewists will love these free sewing patterns, too.

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