While sewing can occasionally seem to be an intimidating hobby to get into, especially if you have seen people working on extravagant projects, getting started is actually pretty easy.
Even if you have never sewn a single seam in your life, there are plenty of different practical projects you can use as a starting point.
There is a common misconception that the process of learning to sew can be boring and everything you sew when you are starting is useful.
However, this is far from the truth, and there are plenty of pieces you can make as your first project that you can get a lot of use out of!
You can start with a clothing project to get a final project that you can wear, and if you want something which needs fewer materials, you can make a simple accessory.
A common project which many sewing enthusiasts have started with is quilting, this takes a little more time, but quilting is surprisingly easy to get into, and having a small or large quilt as a final product can be incredibly rewarding!
Something else which is super easy to sew as a first project is a bag (see also “How To Make A Bingo Bag“), some bags are incredibly simple to make, and they make a perfect quick first project!
A final category we will cover are simple pieces of homeware which you can easily make yourself and display around your house!
No matter what you want to sew for the first time, there are plenty of different ways to get started, and we will go over all of our favorite ideas on this page.
Choosing a beginning sewing project can be a difficult thing, and if you do not know where to look, you could easily end up with a sewing project that is too difficult for a beginner.
Because of this we have gathered some of the most simple sewing projects so you can make a start with something manageable!
So, if you want an easy project to start sewing with, this guide will give you all the inspiration you need!
Our Favorite Sewing Projects
We have split these projects into categories that we introduced in the previous section. These categories are; clothing, accessories, bags, quilts, and homeware.
No matter what you are looking for, if it fits into one of these categories, you will find it here.
All of the projects we have gathered here are appropriate for beginners, so, no matter what skill level you are at, you should find something you will be able to do!
Clothing
Our first category is clothing. This is where most people’s minds go when you think of sewing projects, and many people assume that the first thing you sew will not be presentable enough to wear.
However, if you have access to the right fabric to match your style, you should be able to find something here that will work well for you, and also be simple to sew!
It might be a cliché for a first sewing project, but if you wear skirts, learning to make one is incredibly simple and is a great idea to try out.
This tutorial we have included is a perfect place to start.
This is not just because the guide is simple to follow, but it also teaches you how to build up from the initial tutorial and how to get better at sewing by adding more to your skirts like a trim or layers!
Now, if you want something a little more challenging, then you have to try this sundress!
Accessories
Something which will also be simple enough for you to sew is accessories. Of course the category of accessories covers a lot of ground, however, we have kept it limited to pieces that are simple enough for a starter project.
Some of these might not be useful for you, for example, if you do not have long hair there are some which will not be that useful, but even then you can consider these as gifts.
For another headband option, check out this tutorial!
Bags
One of the easiest types of projects to start off with is a bag. There are a lot of bag designs that are incredibly easy and they will still look good.
For example, with a tote bag, these can be incredibly simple to make, and if you get the right fabric, they can look incredibly sleek.
This category has a few different choices that will suit a beginner, so check through to see what you will like!
A coin purse is a cute first project we recommend trying!
Quilts
A great project that is a perfect place to start sewing is a quilt.
These can be quite an investment of time, however, once you know what you are doing and have gotten started, they can be a fun project which you can work on for a long time.
These make great sentimental gifts, and are perfect for young children especially since they can be kept for a long time. If you are looking for a project to use as a gift, this is one of our favorite options!
A strip quilt is the perfect starting project if you want to start quilting, you can also use this as a great way to get rid of leftover strips of fabric.
For an amazing sentimental piece that will be kept for a long time, while also still being easy to make, we recommend trying to make this baby quilt.
Home Pieces
For our final project type we have chosen home pieces. Homeware is something people often overlook for something that you can make yourself.
However, making your own homeware is a great way to make your space more personal and get more personality into the house.
These are great since you can also learn to make products that you would often just buy, and instead of having to abide by the trends in homeware when you are buying replacements, you can instead make something to perfectly match your taste!
Hopefully this list has given you inspiration and at least one project which you have chosen to get you started.
However, sometimes this amount of choice can be overwhelming, so if you are struggling to choose a starting point we have some simple advice to help you choose.
Once you have narrowed it down to the projects you want to do, think about which will be the most useful for you, whether it is to use or for a gift.
If this has still not gotten you one simple choice, then narrow it down further by looking at the projects and seeing which one will require the least amount of money to spend on equipment or fabric.
With all of this, you should be able to find a good place to start!
