These easy sewing projects teach kids skills they will need when they tackle more complicated projects later. I recommend teaching the basics of hand sewing and how to sew with a sewing machine and then letting your little guy or gal lead the way – you’ll be surprised how much they love using your scraps!
I learned to sew when I was seven. My mom taught me the basics of sewing by hand and then let me raid the ‘goodwill bag’ of discarded clothing for materials. Having eight younger siblings, those clothes probably came from goodwill in the first place, and had nowhere left to go after we wore them out!
Easy Projects for Teaching Kids to Sew
Now that I’m the mom (and someone who earns her living sewing and teaching others how to sew), I’m figuring out that teaching kids to sew requires patience, love, and enthusiasm for franken-bears (or whatever your kid wants to make). You’ll also need a list of easy projects to get started with. That’s where I come in!
If you have the patience, love, and enthusiasm to teach kids to sew, here are ten simple sewing projects to get you (and them) started on a lifetime sewing adventure.
An Easy DIY Tote Bag
Kids’ Halloween treat bags like this one are super fast and easy to sew! Just grab 1/2 yard cute Halloween fabric with pumpkins, ghosts and ghouls, or spooky bats for the exterior and any other 1/2 yard for the lining (because no one will care)!
Kids Can Sew Easy Teddy Bears or Plush Dolls
You can let a child trace their own teddy bear or other stuffed toy (like I did years ago). Or, I have a tutorial for sewing plush cat dolls using fabric panels. You can use these instructions for any doll panel or cotton fabric with animal designs. Softies like these make great Christmas gifts for kids to give siblings and classmates.
Easy Scrunchies
Who didn’t learn to sew making scrunchies? These hair ties are back in style again and perfect for learning how to sew.
A Doll Skirt is an Easy Kid’s Sewing Project
With just a little bit of fabric and elastic, your kid can sew a doll skirt – then she can make a skirt for herself using the same technique!
One-Yard Magic Apron
Kid learning to sew could sew a beautiful apron to share as a gift or protect their clothes while cooking, and who doesn’t have a yard of fabric? I love the large pockets.
Easy Dog Bandana
Dog Bandanas make the best beginner sewing project because they are easy and fun, and your fur baby will think it’s perfect no matter what! Check out this free dog bandana sewing pattern that includes 3 sizes: small, medium, and large.
If you don’t have a sewing machine yet, see the Best Sewing Machines for a Beginner.
Sew Some Easy Boo-boo Bags
When we were kids, our moms made bean bags. The classic bean bag is still in style – it’s just called by other names now, like Boo Boo Bags. Fill it with rice, keep it in the freezer, and it’s a boo-boo bag. You can even sprinkle lavender oil on the rice for a special touch. This is a great way to teach kids how to sew right sides together, leave an opening, and turn the project right side out.
Teach Someone How to Sew Un-Paper Towels
Another sewing project that I used to teach my kids to sew is un-paper towels. You are supposed to add snaps to roll them all together – but we ended up using them like washcloths. However you sew them, you’ll have something useful at the end.
Kids Can Sew Easy Pillows
I know, I’m going heavy on the useful items. Maybe I’m breaking child labor laws making my kids sew all these things for me, lol! Feel free to start simple and make them work up to the photo fabric and pom pom pillows.
Pocket Tissue Pack Covers
Teach them how to sew sweet covers for pocket-size tissue packs. These have a hanging loop and are awesome for keeping in your purse, car, bedroom, office, bathroom, or anywhere you need a tissue.
Free Drawstring Backpack Pattern
Won’t your girl be proud when she can sew a drawstring backpack and wear it to a friend’s house? This is a great sewing project for boys, too.
A Pillowcase is the Perfect Kids’ Sewing Tutorial
Another useful item that is so easy. Teach kids to sew a pillowcase with just one yard of fabric using this easy pillowcase pattern. This is a great project to teach sewing a straight line!
Simple Messenger Bag for a Girl or Boy
Tote bags are a super project for teaching someone to sew, plus it gives them a way to store and organize other crafting items. This super simple messenger bag pattern takes less than a yard of fabric and is really just a bag with a strap – but it’s so cute!
Pajama pants
Who doesn’t love homemade pajama pants? Here’s my free Pajama Pants Pattern in kids’ sizes 12 months to 10. I used this pattern to make my kids’ Christmas PJ pants for years.
Bunny Treat Bags
Darling Bunny Treat Bags are easy to sew for Valentine’s, Easter, spring parties, or anyone who loves animals. The pattern is very easy and uses only 5” squares of fabric!
Super Easy Basket Pattern
Sew a fast and easy fabric basket that’s reversible, too. Make a basket with 10” layer cake squares or from leftover pieces of fabrics and a little fusible interfacing. This free pattern requires simple straight-line sewing, which makes it a perfect beginner’s project. Who doesn’t need a few reversible fabric baskets to use at your desk or near your sewing machine?
More Ideas from SewCanShe
- If your student likes the drawstring bag pattern above, move on to 15 Easy Drawstring Bags to Make
Learn to Sew Jelly Roll Quilts!
- How to Make a Jelly Roll Quilt with 10 Free Patterns
Easy Face Masks to Sew
- The 5 Best Easy and Free Fabric Face Mask Patterns, including the Olson Mask Pattern
Daily Sewing Inspiration
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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. 🙂
