9 Simple to Sew Projects

This short list is chock full of simple sewing projects. Need to sew something that doesn't take a lot of fabric or pattern pieces? This is the list for you! I've compiled some sewing projects that are easy and great for beginners. These are great for scrap busting and make wonderful gifts, too!

Projects to Sew:

1. Keychain
2. Headband
3. Zipper Bag​
4. Apple Watchband Scrunchie
5. Fabric Basket
6. Pillow
7. Small Purse
8. Advent Calendar
9. Hair Scrunchie
   
   

Pin me to save for later!

1. Keychain

We all need keychains for our keys or extra sets of keys. You can increase the length of this to make a wristlet or lanyard as well. 

Supplies:

• Fat Quarter or large strip of fabric
• Lightweight interfacing
• Matching thread
• Metal key ring
• Iron + ironing board
• Sewing machine + notions

1. Cut a rectangle piece of fabric that measures 8" long by 4" wide. You can always cut this shorter if you'd like but, this is a good starting size for a pocket key fob..
2. Apply interfacing according to the manufactures instructions. 
3. Fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together, lengthwise, and press.
4. Fold one long edge into the center crease you've previously made. Press. 
5. Do the same with the other side. Press. Fold the edges in again and you should now have one long strip. Give it a good press once again.
6. Top stitch 1/8" using 3mm-3.5mm stitch length, from the folded edge starting from the top. Repeat on the other side, starting at the top. (This will help with any puckering that may occur).

Cut strip of fabric. Interface the piece if desired.

Fold the strip in half, press.

Fold each half towards the middle crease, press.

Fold and press both sides towards the middle, then press again.

After you press, topstitch down each side, 1/8" from the edge.

Topstitching should look like this.

Grab the ring and slide it onto the fabric strip. Pick which side you want on the outside.

​Fold one end over the ring about 1/2". 

​









​Sorry for the blurry photos, my camera was mad at me. ;)

---

Fold under 1/2" again.

Take the other end and bring it up. Sandwich it together.

Use a clip to hold the folded end down, if you need to.

Bring the opposite edge up and under the folded edge. You'll hide the raw edge under the folded edge. Use a clip to keep them together. 

Sew a few rows of stitching making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end. That's it! You're done!
​
​Add your keys and show off your new keychain. Sew simple, right??

Clip together, then topstitch 1/8" from the folded edge. Sew back and forth 2-3 times to secure it.

Ta-da! You're done.

---

​You can make this into a neck lanyard as well. Drape a measuring tape around the back of your neck and bring the end to the front to get your desired length. Add 2" for the folded edge. 
​
You can also make this as a wristlet keychain. 

---

2. Headbands

Choose between a thin Rockabilly headband or a wide Pinup style headband to sew. Or, make them both. A gal needs options, right? 

• Wide Headband with PDF pattern
• Narrow Headband

Click a link above to take you to a tutorial. 

Wide Pinup hair scarf

Narrow hair scarf

3. Zipper Bag

Follow this blog post for an easy zipper pouch. Increase the size and length to make it larger. These make great essential oil pouches, pencil cases, wet bags, etc. 

Small zip pouch

Increase the height and width to make the bag larger.

4. Apple Watchband Scrunchie

Click here for the blog post and directions to give your Apple Watch a little more personalization. You can find the watch magnets on Amazon. These are very easy to sew. Make one of these for yourself or as a gift along with a new Apple watch. 

---

5. Fabric Storage Basket

We all have stuff. Too much stuff. And, all that stuff needs a home. Storage baskets and bins are perfect for small items that need some organization in their lives. You can customize these by increasing the size to accommodate larger items. Click here for the smaller size that's great for a beginner basket. 

6. Pillows

Make a pillow for your bed or couch. Make some small pillows for kids to use too. Pillows are easy as pie to sew. Follow this Blog post and make all the pillows your little heart desires.
These aren't great scrap busters because they do take larger pieces of fabric. Although, you could use a different front and back piece to use up scraps you have on hand.

---

​7. Small Purse

Small purses or handbags are great for a day out. Little girls love having their own purse, too.
​Follow this tutorial to make a small sized purse that is completely customizable for you or your gift recipient. 

---

​8. Advent Calendar

Get a head start on holiday sewing with this ​easy tutorial for making an Advent Calendar. It's a good scrap buster to use up those holiday fabric pieces. You could alter this to make a Birthday countdown calendar or countdown for a wedding, other holiday, etc. It will take a large piece of fabric for the front and back main panels but, you can use scraps for the smaller pieces. 

---

​9. Hair Scrunchie

Is it scrunchie or scrunchy? My daughter even calls them a "scrunch". Either way, we all love them! They are comfortable to wear and claim to be healthier for your hair than rubber bands alone. A handmade scrunchie will accessorize your outfit and put a smile on your head. Not really, but just go with it.  ;) They also keep the hair off your neck while sleeping, cleaning, or sewing. ;)

​As with most things that are mentioned above, you can increase/decrease the length and width of the fabric strip to make these larger and fluffier or shorter and thinner.

​*I personally like this exact size. I've made a few in different lengths and widths for my daughters but, they love the fluffier size too. 

I chose white satin, thin striped knit, and green pattern knit fabrics for the scrunchies.

Supplies

• 1/4" elastic 
• Fabric measuring at lease 23" long
• Sewing machine + notions
• Safety pin

1. Cut a fabric strip measuring 4" by 23". You can use satin, cotton, viscose, rayon, or anything that is lightweight and has drape. You wouldn't want to use canvas or something that is thick and stiff. You're basically creating a ruffle, so it needs to be able to... ruffle.  :)
2. Fold the long strip in half, like a hot dog bun, RST (right sides together). Sew a seam down the long edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end. You now have a long skinny tube.
3. Turn the tube right side out using a turning tool or safety pin. 
4. Cut your elastic piece 6-7" long. Feed the elastic through the tube using the safety pin. 
5. Tie a simple knot in the elastic or sew the ends together by overlapping them.
6. Fold one short end under. Tuck the other end inside the folded end and clip or pin. 
7. Topstitch the opening closed with a 2.5mm or 3mm stitch. Make sure to backstitch. 

Cut your long strip and press.

Fold in half, RST. Clip the ends together. Stitch 1/4" from the end.

Clip the ends together, then sew the long edge.

Turn the tube right side out using your preferred method. I like using the EZ tube turner for this process.

It will look like this after it's turned out.

Cut the elastic 6-8" long depending on personal preference and hair thickness.

Use a bodkin or safety pin to insert your elastic piece.

Insert elastic through one open end.

Clip the elastic to the end so it doesn't come loose.

Fold one raw edge under, clip.

Sew 2 rows of stitches to keep the elastic ends together. You can tie a knot if you prefer.

Slide the open end into the folded end, clip. Sew a seam over this section. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

It will look like this after it's sewn.

You're done. Ta-da! Slide it on your wrist or wear it in your hair.

Make more to use up those scraps.

Hooray! Now you can make tons for yourself, or as gifts for everyone you know. Yay for hair scrunchies!! The 80s and 90s knew what they were doing. 

I hope you've enjoyed these Simple Sewing projects. Share this post with your other sewing friends. These are all pretty easy which makes them great beginner sewing projects.

​Thanks for hanging out today. If you make one of these Simple Sewing projects, tag me on Instagram, @sewingtothemoon I'd love to see what you create. 

Happy Sewing!
Annette

---

---