70+ Easy Sewing Projects To Tackle While Holiday Nesting

Kate Thorn

Kate Thorn is an illustrator, foodie, photographer, and blogger at Create & Kate. She loves creating art, traveling, and all things chocolate. A native to the Great Northwest, she is currently living in London and pretending to be a mature grad student.

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Nov 16, 2023

The holidays are officially here and winter breaks and vacations are starting ASAP. These easy sewing projects will make perfect holiday gifts *and* are fun ways to pass the time while you're deep into holiday nesting. Whether you're in the mood to make something simple like a pillow or want to try your hand at upcycling a dress you no longer wear, we've got you covered. These are simple sewing projects that both beginners and novices alike can stitch up, no problem. So dust off that sewing machine and get ready to whip up some sewing-project magic with these 70+ easy DIY projects.

Pocket Dress

Have dress? Add pockets! It's actually not hard. (Brit + Co)

Dress up your pup in this DIY dog collar bow from See Kate Sew.

Notebook Tea Cloths

Wouldn't these just be the most adorable teacher's gift? (via Say Yes)

Holiday Tags

Add a personal touch to gifts and table settings with the darling monogrammed tag. (via Joann)

Super Easy Grid Blanket

Pick out the colors you love and make this super easy blanket for beginners! (via PurlSoho)

Hugs and Kisses Pillows

Show your love with these huggable projects. (Brit + Co)

Sweater Beanie

Recycle your sweater into some cozy new accessories like this beanie. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Whip up this corduroy overall dress for winter with tights and long sleeves. (via Brit + Co)

Reversible Tote

This tote is the ideal size for a grab-and-go bag. It is big enough to hold all your essentials, yet small enough for a quick trip to the store. Try this Rainbow Stripe to get the look in our main photo! (via Haberdashery Fun)

Or try this tote that folds out to a picnic blanket! (via Brit + Co)

Leather iPad Case

Dress up your iPad in a super svelte, super DIY-able leather case. (via Almost Makes Perfect)

Holiday Bottle Gift Bag

Bring a bottle of wine or bubbles gift-wrapped in a reusable bag made by YOU! (via Singer)

Fabric Keychains

The best DIY gift is something that everyone will actually use. These keychains are easy enough you can whip up a whole batch in just an hour. (via My So Called Crafty Life)

Make a basic tee or three! (via Brit + Co)

Lunch Bag

These cute lunch bags make great gift bags too! Maybe toss in some holiday cookies? (via Purl Soho)

Book Clutch

A book lover on your list? Head to the thrift store for some old hardbacks and make these adorable zipper clutches. (via See Kate Sew)

Kid Travel Pillow

Make your little ones holiday travel a wee more comfortable with this easy travel pillow pattern. (via Joanns)

Dinner Napkins

These cloth napkins are eco-friendly *and* make great gifts in the fabric of your choice. (via Sunday Sews)

Pillowcases

DIY your own pillowcases for a playful mix of prints. (via PurlSoho)

Black Faux Leather Clutch

This black faux leather clutch costs less than $5 to make and can be sewn in under an hour. Talk about the perfect afternoon sewing project! (via The Felted Fox)

Crop Top

Make this easy crop top just in time for summer - popsicle print optional! (Brit + Co)

Make these cases for your laptop or tablet. (via Brit + Co)

Flannel Scarves

Made with a rich, luxe flannel shirt, these are simple to sew but are sure to impress. (via Delia Creates)

Seat Cushions Sewing Project for Beginners

Keep your outdoor seating classy with some colorful cushions. They are so easy to make that you can change ’em up every summer to keep them looking fresh. (via Brit + Co)

Lampshade Cover

Refresh an old lampshade with these easy wrap. (via Sunday Sews)

Sew your own pencil skirt in a shade of your choice. (via Brit + Co)

Fringe Purse

This cute leather fringe purse is a great first project for sewing newbies. It’s also the perfect size to hold makeup or money in your purse. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Cozy Mittens

Make these adorable mittens from an old sweater. The only “trick” is to open your thumb a little to make your new mittens more roomy and comfy. (via Brit + Co)

Wallet Organizer

You won’t need a lot of fabric for these bad boys. Plus they sew up quickly, making them great gifts for holding stuff like iPhones, jump drives, memory cards, credit cards, business cards, cash, notes, memo pads, etc… (via LBG Studio)

Leather Tablet

Stylish, protective and tablet-friendly, leather is much easier to work with than you’d expect. (via Brit + Co)

Break out the holiday dog bed with this beginner sewing project. (via Joanns)

Sew this two-piece eyelet set for warm weather travel. (via Brit + Co)

Quilted Box Pouch

Don’t let the zipper deter you from trying this little DIY — it’s really simple once you get the hang of it. Plus, these bags are amazing for all kinds of storage. (via Fort Worth Studios)

Turn Jeans Into A Skirt

Turn those old jeans you don't love anymore into a cute skirt with this easy DIY. (via Singer)

Ruffled Hem

Make those sweaters last one more season by adding a ruffled hem to the bottom. Not only is it adorable, it will add a couple inches to the length. (via It’s Always Autumn)

Make this no-sew wrap crop top in 15 minutes for your BFF this holiday. (via Brit + Co)

Simple Leather Tote

Head to a thrift store and hunt down a leather skirt to make this project super cost effective. (via Kojo Designs)

Kimono

Cozy up with this easy-to-sew, modern take on a kimono. (via Francois et Moi)

Headwrap Bands

These are perfect for getting your hair out of your eyes at the gym or while running errands. They’re another easy-peasy craft you can make out of scraps you have laying around your craft space. (via Delia Creates)

Outdoor Pillows

Here are three options to decorate your outdoor space with big, colorful pillows. You actually probably have most of the items you need sitting around your house right now. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Lumbar Pillow

Make this extra long lumbar pillow using, wait for it… a table runner! (via Liz Marie)

Business Card Wallet

Quit losing your business cards at the bottom of your purse and make one of these cute little card holders. (via A Spoonful of Sugar)

Canvas Totes

Play around with the measurements to get the exact size you need. These bags would work great as a library tote, pool/beach bag, shopping bag or anything else you could possible use a giant tote for. (via The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood)

Swing Dress

Loose and flowy, this bright dress is a breeze to whip together and we are obsessed with that color. (via Merrick’s Art)

Drawstring Travel Bag

Add some gold lettering for a super trendy bag to take to the beach this summer. Instead of iron-on lettering, just add the letters with a gold pen to make things easier. (via Sew DIY)

Leather Passport Holder

This project comes together really quickly and would be an awesome bon voyage gift for someone who's finally embarking on summer travels. (via Lovely Indeed)

Yoga Bag Sewing Idea

You'll be the most stylish girl at the gym with this colorful yoga mat bag. (via Brit + Co)

Gold-Dipped Tote Bag

We’re all about the gold-dipped look on this pretty tote bag. (via Brit + Co)

Geometric Pillows

We think these fluffs are a must for your spring redecorating plans. Why be square when you can add eight sides and a bunch of tassels? (via Brit + Co)

Gold Clutch

We’ve created the most mini metallic clutch ever. It also happens to double as a fanny pack so you can rock it all night long on the dance floor. (via Brit + Co)

Turn a thrift store skirt into a holiday party dress. (via Brit + Co)

Make this no sew clutch for the holidays too! (via Brit + Co)

Make these DIY squeaky dog toys for just under $5. (via Spoonflower)

Fabric Heart Coasters

A great hostess gift any time of the year, these coasters will show your coffee table some love. (via Thirty Handmade Days)

Earbud Pouch

There is nothing more annoying than having to untangle your earbuds from a huge knot. Keep them tidy and knot free with this cute little pouch. (via Dog Under My Desk)

Feather Dishtowel

Spruce up your kitchen with some colorful towels and trendy feather silhouettes. (via Flamingo Toes)

DIY a backpack for kids! (via Brit + Co)

Woven Rag Rug

Technically it’s weaving, not sewing, but this sweet rug would be a really cool addition to your kitchen or laundry room. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Tiny Zipper Pouch

This convenient little bag is a must for all you travel addicts out there. (via Lovely Indeed)

Lace Shorts

Amp up your old summer shorts with some lace trim… or just lace the whole thing for an extra feminine pair of bloomers. (via Sincerely Kinsey)

Kimono Coverup

Stitch this coverup up in just 10 minutes! (Brit + Co)

Skinny Jeans

Update those old bootcut jeans lurking in your closet by turning them into skinny jeans. (via Brit + Co)

Leather Fringe Bag

Be prepared for any adventure with a little carry-all bag you can take any and everywhere. (via Sincerely Kinsey)

Metallic Gem

You can use these for just about anything or stuff them with jewelry to give away as gifts. (via See Kate Sew)

Leather Dipped Pillows

Use some throw pillows you already have to make this the simplest room makeover ever. (via Brit + Co)

Bow Back Sweatshirt

This easy project takes less than two hours and is great to wear as the season changes over from winter to spring. (via Sincerely Kinsey)

Polar Bear Tablet Case

You could make this case with the silhouette of your favorite animal, but the polar bear is pretty cute for these colder months. (via Sincerely Kinsey)

We can't wait to see all of the DIY magic you come up with. Whether you're looking to update your closet or your decor, these easy sewing projects are a great place to start!

Main Photo by Mikhail Nilov

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This article has been updated from a previous post.

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