Sew Sweet: 30 Free Sewing Patterns Your Grandma Would Make

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Grandmas are the best! Sometimes when I sew, I think back to the things my grandmother would make. She didn’t have a fancy electronic sewing machine like mine or all the gadgets that I enjoy using, but I still love the handmade treasures that I have from her. These easy to understand patterns will help you create beloved treasures too!

The free patterns in this list will you Learn how to make cozy quilts, soft pillow cases, and special gifts. Treasures like these will evoke memories of a simpler time. Precious memories will be made with gifts we sew for our children, grandchildren, and friends.

Pocket Tissue Cover

https://sewcanshe.com/show-off-saturday-my-liberty-rainbow-quilt/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

My mother always has tissues available no matter where we are. She always kept a box on the fridge, and another in her bathroom. She would sometimes tuck one away in her pocket or waistband to have handy around the house. Sew this fabric tissue cover to keep yours on hand for every little need. You’ll be amazed at the uses you will find for it! Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe to show me some of your ideas.

Liberty Rainbow Quilt

https://sewcanshe.com/show-off-saturday-my-liberty-rainbow-quilt/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Liberty fabrics have a timeless charm and a heavenly, silky feel. You are in for a real treat if you use them on a quilt with a quality pattern. This Liberty Rainbow Quilt is sure to be treasured as an heirloom across all generations.

Old-Fashioned Apron Pattern

Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson / Polka Dot Chair

Don’t you love the responsible and capable look of a pinafore apron! The ricrac trim on this quality pattern is nostalgic for me on this design. I used to have an apron-style dress that I wore to shreds and then wore some more. In fact, the colors resembled those in the photo above. Bring back sentimentality and imaginative play with beautifully sewn patterns like this.

Quality Cloth Napkins

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The look of an elegant table is as timeless as ever. This pattern for DIY cloth napkins is fat-quarter friendly.

DIY Fabric Covered Journal

https://sewcanshe.com/2014-2-18-fabric-covered-art-journals-my-sew-my-stash-project/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

These beautiful Fabric Covered Journals are a perfect way to preserve memories. I have kept journals for my children over the years, and personalizing them with colors is just something that makes sense to me!

Bow Headbands for Granddaughters

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sweet hair accessories like these bow headbands are so easy to make and a great way to use up scraps. It’s also a great opportunity to teach someone to sew!

Pretty Tea Towels

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Tea towels are so useful! In fact, just the use of them makes me nostalgic for my mother’s baking. Make your own out of left over fat quarters and watch the magic of a well used tea towel brighten your day.

Egg Gathering Apron

Photo credit: Swoon Patterns

In my mind, grandmas usually have chickens! I know that’s not the case, and I probably won’t have chickens when I’m a grandma, but this free egg gathering apron pattern from Swoon Patterns, seems like just the thing my grandmother would have made and used.

Woven Heart Quilt

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

My Swedish Woven Heart Quilt is not only a great quality pattern for beginners, it’s also perfect for highlighting those precious fabrics that you want to preserve. It’s a beautiful gesture of love that will stand the test of time.

Ruffled Pillow Cases

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Get a dreamy vintage look with this ruffle pillow sewing tutorial. You only need a yard and a half of any medium weight fabric per pillowcase. You can add an applique or some hand embroidery to personalize your project.

Pillowcase Dolls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x3nXZC5vKE
Photo Credit: Nicole Noel

I have a beautiful doll made from an old pillowcase. It is a sweet way to display handstitched pillowcases, and to preserve generations of sewing craft. Here is a really well done video tutorial by Alice’s Bear Shop for making a rag doll outfit from new or recycled fabric. The pattern isn’t free, but it’s worth the investment in my opinion. Another option is to do a search for ‘pillowcase doll kit’. Preserve your hand-embroidered textiles for years to come.

Kids Romper Pattern

https://www.sumoftheirstories.com/blog/vintage-doily-table-runner
Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

Check out the free kids’ romper pattern. Rompers are precious and, hands down, my favorite outfit when my children were little. This quality pattern will help you bring back the memories, or make some new ones; rompers are practical and adorable, convenient and nearly indestructible!

Vintage Doily Table Runner

Photo credit: Sum of Their Stories

I was just talking to a friend who has boxes of doilies and other covers that her mother made by hand! What a treasure, but let’s get them out of the boxes and bring them into the light. This clever tutorial will help you make a vintage work of art that you can proudly display or lovingly give away.

DIY Milk Carton Coin Pouch

https://sewcanshe.com/2016-11-22-milk-carton-coin-purse-free-sewing-pattern/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This Milk Carton Pouch evokes memories of my grandma because she never let a scrap of anything go to waste. She taught me to be frugal, save for what I need, and to appreciate what I did have. It’s also a perfect little box for your tooth fairy traditions, secret treasures, or stocking stuffers.

Ruffled Envelope Clutch

Photo Credit: Jessica / Me Sew Crazy

I love the unique style of this ruffle envelope clutch made by Jessica, at Me Sew Crazy. You can repurpose your old ruffles, or create new ones and then pass this down or use it in costumes for ages. There’s something of a timeless feel to this that I just love.

Lovely Scarves with Crochet Ends

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

A beautiful crochet edge simply speaks love. These scarves with vintage crochet are beautiful and functional; in my opinion that’s the best kind of gift.

Patchwork Quilt

quality pattern heirloom
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

‘Waste not, want not’ is encapsulated in this patchwork quilt! Put everything you have to use, and make it gorgeous at the same time. This quality pattern is great for all experience levels, and finishes as a 64″ x 64″ throw.

DIY Candy Cups

https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2017/8/17/show-off-saturday-some-cute-quilted-pixie-cups
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

These Pretty Quilted Desk Cups are just right for tiny hands to carry without breaking. Unlock imagination, encourage helping, and create something beautiful.

Pretty Box Pouch

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Fabric boxes used to be more popular. Bring back that feeling of simpler times and tuck some treasures away for a future generation. You can also use this to store a precious collection of cards, dice, or other items.

Candle Jar Pincushion

https://www.sumoftheirstories.com/blog/how-to-upcycle-a-candle-jar-into-a-cute-pincushion
Photo credit: Sum of Their Stories

This beautiful upcycled pincushion is simple, pleasing, and sturdy. Use grandma’s old fabric, or make some for the next generation of sewists.

Pretty Placemats

https://sew4home.com/kitchen-confections-in-modas-vintage-modern-patchwork-placemats/
Photo credit: sew4home.com

Make placemats for special occasions for a tradition, or use them all the time. Either way they will hold more than just crumbs as the years go by. Check out this free tutorial from Sew4Home.

Jelly Roll Rug

https://createwhimsy.com/projects/how-to-make-a-jelly-roll-rug/
Photo credit: CreateWhimsy.com

It’s not snuggly, and you can’t carry it around with you, but you can have it in every kitchen, entry, or living room you ever own. My daughter is away at college and there’s room for a rug in her tiny living space. This heirloom-quality pattern will last for ages, and be functional the whole time!

Argyle Christmas Stockings

https://sewcanshe.com/quilted-christmas-stockings/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

These Argyle Christmas Stockings are heirloom-quality for sure. With a classic fold-down cuff, and an old style argyle print, these are sure to be treasured from year to year. You can even use your embroidery machine to monogram them for an extra touch.

Bunny Treat Bags

https://sewcanshe.com/2013-3-4-bunny-treat-bags-a-free-tutorial/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Bunny Treat Bags can be memorable and make you feel really loved. I have a few tips and tricks in the tutorial for sewing curves.

Heirloom-Quality Heart Quilt

https://sewcanshe.com/2015-9-13-hst-heart-quilt-tutorial-pattern-included/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Here is another heart design for a meaningful keepsake. My Half Square Triangle Heart Quilt can be displayed on a wall or table top so you can choose the way that suits your environment.

DIY Pillbox Pattern

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

My Pillbox Pouch sewing pattern is a perfect place for tiny treasures, and a functional place for keeping little things together. You could keep it in your church bag loaded with stickers or mini figures to keep little hands busy. Most moms appreciate that help, so they don’t have to be your little hands. ๐Ÿ™‚

Mini Pouch Pattern

https://sewcanshe.com/2018-9-18-bit-o-kindness-pouches-easy-sewing-tutorial/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This Bit Oโ€™ Kindness Pouch is calling for mementos or a sweet treat! Sew up some tiny acts of kindness to lift someone in your life.

Dinner Roll Holder

https://gingercake.org/2010/11/vintage-inspired-dinner-roll-holder-tutorial.html
Photo credit: Gingercake.org

I used to play with these when I was younger. I remember being amazed at the simplicity and intricacy when I would flatten it out and then snap it up again to form the pockets. This tutorial from Gingercake is great for recreating the nostalgia of times long gone, but I think I’m going to bring it back for family dinner time!

Bean Bag Game Pieces

https://www.sumoftheirstories.com/blog/upcycled-denim-bean-bag-game
Photo credit: SumoftheirStories.com

Sew a bean bag game and storage bag to stand the test of time. Corn hole is a favorite in our family, and you can use old clothes or jeans for an added measure of treasure. Family reunions can feature all your favorite prints.

Woven Fabric Basket

https://sewcanshe.com/2018-12-20-diy-woven-basket-with-optional-handles-free-tutorial/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Something that strikes me as an heirloom-quality pattern is the functionality of an item. A good basket is functional for ages; with or with-out handles. You can use my free woven basket pattern to make a gorgeous and functional basket that can be useful for a lifetime and longer.

Doll Dress

Photo Credit: LeighLaurelStudios.com

Made from a pillowcase, you can make a doll dress and a bigger one so that your sweet girl can match her toy. I remember sewing doll clothes with my mother when I was little. I never had a matching gown with my doll, but I had matching hair clips and I loved it!

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Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

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https://sewcanshe.com/how-to-sew-a-panel-quilt-easy-quilt-pattern-for-any-fabric-panel/ add 16x16 to the panel 49x55 lap, small throw
Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

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Photo credit: Amy Smart / Diary of a Quilter

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https://sewcanshe.com/the-amazing-a-frame-organizer-free-sewing-pattern/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

30 Free Jelly Roll Sewing Patterns – Easy Projects Using Fabric Strips

https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/quilting/free-christmas-tree-skirt-pattern
Photo credit: Sally Stevens

Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. ๐Ÿ™‚