All the BEST Free Sewing Patterns

Stop looking and start sewing a new apron with an amazing free sewing pattern! Don’t keep searching through lists of so-so free apron patterns. Here are the 10 best apron patterns you will find on the internet. Whether you want a patchwork apron, jelly roll apron, half apron, or full coverage apron – you’ll find your favorite one here.

At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!

Sew an easy card wallet using natural cork fabric. This new textile is durable, beautiful, and easy to sew! This free pattern is a great starter project – or a great way to use up scraps.

Need a gift bag, knitting or crochet bag, lunch bag… lingerie, shoe, make-up, scrap, button, or little bag for any other reason?

Sew up a delightful Drawstring Ditty Bag with my free tutorial!

Sew an easy collar for your dog, cat, llama, or iguana! This fun and easy sewing project uses simple supplies – just fabric, a d-ring, and some velcro.

Here’s how I made a narrow (but still scrappy!) dog leash for our new puppy… It’s so much fun to make your own pet accessories!

Sew up a fast and easy bag that snaps shut and is perfect for holding just a few essentials. There is a handle on top and a pocket on the back for holding things you don’t want to lose track of.

I love to have little sketchbooks or art journals handy for when inspiration strikes, so that’s what I decided to make. These little journals are so pretty that I’m sure they will inspire me all by themselves. Read on for a tutorial so you can make your own.

Sew up a cute pencil pouch that fits in a 3 ring binder. You can make one that’s BETTER than the pencil pouches that they sell in the store. All you need is a little fabric, a zipper, and some leftover vinyl.

I’m so tickled! After showing you my cute Bit O’ Kindness pouches on Saturday, I don’t think any other sewing tutorial has ever been more requested!

So here you go…

I must admit that I was a little wary of this project when Cadie’s teacher first asked me, but it turned out to be really fun and a lot easier than I expected. So if your kid’s kindergarten or first grade teacher ever asks you about making chair pockets for the class, say yes – I’ll show you how!

Scrunchies are a fun and easy sewing project that is perfect for using up scraps of all kinds. It’s also a great way to introduce girls to sewing – within just a few minutes they’ll have something fun to wear and a few new skills, too!

I have a 6 year old and a 10 year old (who I think qualifies as a ‘tween’ – she acts 17 sometimes) and they both love to wear headbands. A couple years ago I wrote a series of tutorials for making headbands with FOE (fold over elastic) and ribbon, but this time I wanted to use fabric. 

Sew a darling snap pouch with vinyl pockets on the inside for first aid items, toiletries, cosmetics, or anything else! Don’t be fooled because this project is sewn with vinyl. It’s very easy! And I even have a video to show you how. I LOVE this handy pouch!

Did you know that animal shelters often use small quilts or blankets (called cage comforters) in the animals’ cages to provide a soft bed and a sense of security? It’s a great way to use up leftover pieces of fabric and batting and make something to help our furry friends at the shelters. It’s kinda funny how I learned about this project…

You can sew a cute wrist strap key fob with my fast and easy sewing tutorial.

Of all the DIY projects I’ve sewn and gifted to people, wristlet keychain fobs are the ones that people ask for again and again! This year the assistant principal at my daughter’s elementary school was not very subtle when she repeated several times that the wrist lanyard I gifted her a couple years ago was getting old.

I love sewing projects that use pre-cut fabrics but I often have a handful of leftovers pieces that I’m not sure what to do with. That’s why I designed this easy basket that you can sew with 10’’ layer cake squares! It’s a fast and easy to sew fabric basket that’s reversible too.

What’s a tea towel? Can you use it in your messy real life kitchen? I think you should be able to. So last year I made my own version using some of my favorite fat quarters (only because they come pre-cut to the perfect size) and I love them! The two layers of cotton are not too thick, which I really like, plus the more I wash them the softer and more absorbent they become. Not to mention that I get to brighten up my kitchen with beautiful fabric!

Now you can organize everything in your sewing room or make the best gift baskets – no matter how big or small!

My newest addition to my fold up basket sewing patterns is here – Mini Baskets!

Cooking BBQ can be messy – sew a full coverage apron to keep clean and look great! This easy to sew apron pattern has a hanging loop to keep your tongs handy too. There are 2 layers of fabric to ensure that no sauce or splatters make it through.

Keep everything you need handy – and organized – in the car with this sweet little bag! Mine holds my phone (and the cords, lol), a couple pens, and anything else I want to toss in there quick while I’m driving. From the front you can see it has all the features that we noticed on this month’s Pinterest Un-Tutorial. But there’s more…

Sew your own DIY Cosmetic Case with just a few sewing supplies including regular quilting cotton. My free sewing pattern is very easy and has step by step photos to make each part as clear as can be.

Just in time for your holiday sewing – use my fabric doll pattern to make your little one a sweet doll with braid-able hair!

Patchwork is such an appealing and fun technique. You can make so many sewing projects from patchwork. It’s a great way to use up scraps (frugal!) and is visually interesting and seasonless. If you’re looking for free printable patterns for patchwork projects to sew I have compiled 18 below. Stitching up patchwork quilt blocks, bags, curtains, coasters, potholders, skirts, pillows and more is as easy as printing the pdf in my easy tutorials.

Organized crochet hooks are a beautiful thing – it’s so easy to find just the one you want. Sew up this handy little case for your crochet hooks and they’ll always be at your fingertips. But really, you can make this fold over case to fit so many different items that I didn’t want to limit you.

Show off your favorite fabrics (and your sweet zipper skills) with these fun little zipper pouches. They are just the right size for your smart phone and there’s a handy little pocket for your id and a couple cards. I love how the 2 sided zipper opens up to show off the lining. It’s perfect for coordinating prints… will you put your favorite fabric on the outside so everyone sees it right away or on the inside for a shocking surprise?

Sew a useful organizer for your car so you’ll have a spot to hold your purse, phone, sunglasses – and everything else you need to keep handy. Have you noticed that most new cars these days don’t build-in a spot for a bag or purse? It can be so frustrating – until now. My readers asked me to write them a sewing pattern for a spot to put all your stuff in your car – and here it is! This project uses easy to find (and inexpensive) mesh fabric that you can buy online or in stores. Let me show you how to make it!

Learn how to sew a cute zipper pouch that is long enough to hold pencils, markers, sunglasses, cosmetics, ‘girl supplies’, and more! I really love the size and shape of this case. It’s perfect for throwing in another purse or bag so I can keep my things organized.

Sew a pool chair cover with a pillow and so many features! It will keep your pool chair clean and comfy – and have pockets for all your things. This fun sewing project uses a new beach towel and some fabric to make the perfect pool chaise cover.

If you want to make sewing a hobby, these simple things to sew will help you get started. Sewing can be wonderful for relieving stress and making gifts for others. Learning how to sew is exciting, especially with all the beautiful fabrics we have to work with.

Sew a cute clamshell bag just the way you like it! Without anything fancy, this zipper bag is just right for holding supplies, cosmetics, or small things when you travel. But if you add exterior pockets and handles it makes a darling handbag.

Sew a small wallet to keep your vaccination card safe and easy to read. This easy sewing pattern for a snap pouch is the perfect size to hold the standard 3’’ x 4’’ COVID vaccination card. There is a vinyl window on the back so you can easily see the information on your vaccine record, plus a snap closure to keep the card from falling out. And it’s a great project to sew with your fabric scraps!

Sew a darling mug caddy to store sewing notions, office tools, or art supplies with just one or 2 fat quarters of fabric! There are 5 pockets around the outside of the fabric mug cover, plus an inside layer to show off more pretty fabric. I know there are other mug caddy sewing patterns out there, but I think you’ll love mine the best. It’s patterned after my #10 Caddy Pattern, and as a special bonus to SewCanShe readers – I’m sharing this mug organizer pattern with you for free in the blog post below

Sew the cutest llama around with my free sewing pattern!

This easy stuffed animal is fun to embellish with leftover trims such as pom poms, ric rac, fringe, or ribbon. The saddle and llama face are appliques which are fused in place and then stitched down.

I decided to sew myself a new little card wallet using all the same steps that I share in my free Designer Zipper Bags Video Course.

I also decided to use my serger machine for quilting and embellishing the sides of the pouch and for finishing the seams. A serger isn’t necessary for this project, but I had fun using it.

Sew a warm hug around the neck! You can make your own Therapeutic Neck-wrap Heating Pad with a few scraps and a handful of household items. This makes such a thoughtful gift, but make sure you treat yourself to one too!

If you don’t use pattern weights, let me tell you why you should! To be honest, the first time I used pattern weights was was one of those Aha! moments for me. Then I thought ‘yup, people are right about these, they fix so many cutting problems!’ You can use any small, smooth object that has a little bit of weight to it for a pattern weight, but if you want to sew your own, I’m sharing a tutorial for that too.

Check out these free sewing tutorials for baskets, organizing caddies, pretty covers for your machines, and more! Use your sewing machine to make something that will help and inspire others. Sewing is not only a passion and love of mine…but it is so useful in a million different ways.

Learn how to sew an easy wallet that’s great for kids or adults. This free sewing pattern for a Fold and Stitch Wallet has two card slots and a money pocket on the inside. It’s a great sewing project for small pieces of fabric, even scraps! This is a great beginner sewing project and you’ll learn how to use plastic snaps.

I can’t stop making these!!! My version of this Japanese pen case is so much fun. I gave myself the chance to use a bunch of different fabrics by adding a bound zipper that makes a cute snappy handle – it’s the cutest little case in the house. Well, they all are – and they are great for lots more than pens!

Patchwork potholders are the best. Who else but a quilter would cut up good fabric just to sew it together again?

Is there anything cuter than a little handmade pouch? I have a hard time saying there is… I just love little pouches so much! Besides using them to organize my sewing supplies, makeup, pencils and pens, my purse, office, and even my kitchen (lol), I love giving them away as gifts with a little surprise tucked inside.

What is it about zipper pouches? I can never make enough! They are such a fun gift to give and receive. And they are so quick and easy to make. This year I made zipper pouches with pretty ribbon and clear vinyl for back-to-school teacher gifts.

If you are worried about sewing on the vinyl… don’t be!  Seriously I worked it all out and by the time I was ready to write this tutorial I knew all the tricks. Now I’m going to share them with you. 🙂

Let’s sew some DIY Bookmarks! Last weekend I wanted to make a super-quick gift to make for some young women in our church and this is what I came up with. This easy sewing project is jelly roll friendly because it uses 2 1/2’’ strips. You can also personalize the pieces with machine embroidery before sewing them together.

Sew an easy DIY phone case that is also a wallet! Sometimes you want to carry a purse – when you think you might need all that stuff you’ve got saved in there – and sometimes all you need is your phone and a couple cards.

Sew a DIY card holder that makes it easy to see your cards, and easy to play! This easy sewing project makes card games possible for little people and big people who have trouble with a handful of cards. We especially love it for games like Phase 10 where you need to look at a lot of cards at once.

How do I keep my scraps from growing out of control? I sew with them!

Bust through your scrap bin and sew some clever and useful projects at the same time!

I just finished a fast and easy sewing project that will be so useful!

It’s a beautiful pouch that can be used at work, home, and even better – sewing expos and conventions.

Handmade gifts are the best, aren’t they? Here’s something you can whip up quickly when a friend is having a baby. Just toss in a few diapers and wipes and you’ve got the most thoughtful gift at the  shower!

My free sewing tutorial for a Stand Up (and slide down) Pencil and Tool Pouch is finally here!

Sew up a new leash for your favorite pet – it’s sew easy! All you need is some fabric scraps, a bit of interfacing, and a lobster claw clasp. I pieced lots of squares together for my leash, but you an also use a single long strip of fabric

I’m so excited to share with you my latest tiny obsession… tiny zipper bags! These little zipper pouches are so fast and easy to make, and so much fun! And as you can guess from the title of this post… they are made with 5 “ charm squares.

Travel handmade with this beautiful jewelry organizer that you can sew with just 3 fat quarters!

Are you looking for a cute way to organize a messy drawer – or an instant handmade gift basket that’s just the right size for little goodies?

Sew up a cute Petit Four basket! This free sewing pattern from ByAnnie is great because it uses just a little bit of fabric and stabilizer (perfect for leftover 10” squares), it’s really fast, and it’s super easy.

Sew some little drawstring bags – add a few packets of hot cocoa (maybe even a mug) – and you have a thoughtful gift!

Sew a cute coat to keep your fur baby warm no matter the season!

This fun case looks old-school like a Tetris game on the front, but it is made to hold the latest model iPad or Tablet.

The finished size is 11” tall by 9” wide.

Ever wanted to sew one of those cute pillow animals? Well here’s my version and a free sewing pattern!

Sew this cute dumpling shaped pouch using the One Yard Quilts panel from Lecien or your own fabrics!

Use your favorite fabrics to make a beautiful wallet with a quilted exterior – just like Vera Bradley, Coach, or Chanel!

You can use these small clear bags to organize sewing supplies, keep your makeup, or carry small bottles through the airport.

They are so fast and easy to sew, you won’t be able to stop!

You can sew warm and fuzzy mittens using an old sweater! Use this free mitten pattern with a step by step sewing tutorial to create lots of mittens out of nothing – well out of last year’s too small sweaters. 🙂

I finally got it done for you… all the testing and tweaking of a pattern to make the darling little coin pouch that we saw on Pinterest – but the photo instructions left so much to chance!

How’s this for a tiny mini quilt? We’ve been having so much fun making mini quilts lately (see all the patterns in the menu bar above)… that I decided to see how tiny I could make a mini. These tiny quilts turned out so cute, less than 2” tall and perfect for DIY magnets. 

These owls are one of my favorite projects ever! Have you ever sewn something that makes you so excited that you just want to sew another and another? Well that happened to me with these owls!

There is a DIY trend that I simply love… and I might be obsessed with – tassels!

Sew up some pretty kitchen towels that won’t slip off the bar! They have a pretty tie that holds them on, plus a cute ruffle on one end.

These DIY embellished towels were sewn from inexpensive bar towels, plus 1/4 yard of fabric each.

Sew up a double sided wallet to hold your face masks, hand sanitizer, and all the essentials – this one pocketbook is all you need! There’s also a narrow wrist strap that connects with a d-ring tab. The face mask in the photos is one that I sewed using my Pleated Face Mask with a Filter Pocket Tutorial.

This week I received a darling bundle from Penny Rose Fabrics…

This pretty little box shaped pouch is perfect for holding and organizing cosmetics, sewing supplies, jewelry, small toys, crayons, chocolate candies, and more! My little case with a free pattern and tutorial below measures about 5’’ x 7’’ on the top and 2 1/2’’ deep.

I’m so excited to share the Zippie Clippie pattern with you… this pouch has so many purposes that I’ll never be able to count them all. Clip one on a backpack with pencils and school supplies. Clip another to your bag to hold your phone. Then sew another to hold your hand sewing kit while on road trips!

Sew an easy drawstring bag that’s long and skinny! It is the perfect size for spectacles, a tooth brush and toothpaste, pencils, or even make up brushes. These pouches are so handy and pretty –which is the essence of ‘Zakka’, a Japanese design aesthetic that combines usefulness with beauty.

Can you believe that you can make a cute coin purse that snaps shut using pieces of a metal tape measure?

This mesh laundry bag will help you keep fabric face masks (and other items) separate and wash them safely in your washing machine. Just toss them in the bag and then toss the bag in your washer.

This project is easy to sew and I have lots of tips to ensure that anyone can do it!

This sewing tutorial for kitchen towels that won’t fall off the handle was just so tempting to me, that I dropped everything and made a couple to match the heart shaped potholder that I made last month.​ ​These are by far the most beautiful dish towels I have ever owned. And I won’t have to pick them up off the floor 100 times a day. I am in love.

Sew up a sewing machine cover that doubles as a handy mat with pockets! Free tutorial and pattern here in this post.

Remember this? My Pretty Quilted iPad case that I promised you a sewing pattern for so so long ago? Well I finally have it ready!

There’s nothing like a pretty new pincushion to get me revved up and excited to finish a big sewing project. That’s why I’m so happy to share this quick and easy Sawtooth Star pincushion from Gingercake this week!