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I love making handmade gifts! There’s something extra special about choosing the fabric, picking the project, and taking the time to make it with love. Sometimes you want to make something yourself but can’t think of something specific that the person needs, or maybe you don’t know them well enough to make something super personal, so I rounded up 20+ easy sewing projects for gifts that cover all the bases!

Get more gifting inspiration with some of these other posts!

• 25+ upcycle sewing tutorials that make great gifts
• 20+ Free Sewing Projects for Men’s Gifts
• Top 10 Best Baby Gifts To Sew
• 35+ Handmade stocking stuffer ideas to sew

While I was recently making a quilt to gift, I thought about how handmade gifts are not only the tangible finished product but also all the love, care, and time that went into making them. Sewing something as a gift represents the hours of my life that I spent not doing anything else, thinking of that friend while I chose the fabrics, while I cut, while I sewed, while I washed it. I’m not terribly sentimental by nature, but I wanted to find a way to share some of what went on in the background when gifting something handmade. I worked with a graphic designer to make this printable you can fill out and include with whatever you stitch, sew, paint, craft and gift this year!

Download the file in my resource library for subscribers (under the printables section at the bottom)-sign up for my newsletter and get the password once you confirm your subscription! If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the pattern with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library.

If you pick a gift from this list but aren’t going to have it done in time for the birthday/holiday, print one of these handmade gift IOUs instead! They look cute with a bow or would be excellent taped to a candy bar. Same as the above you can download the file in my resource library for subscribers (under the printables section at the bottom)-sign up for my newsletter and get the password once you confirm your subscription! If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the pattern with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library.

Pin this list of 20+ easy sewing projects for gifts with this link or collage image – please click through and pin any individual photos from their original websites:

20+ easy sewing projects for gifts

Stitch up a snuggly scarf with this easy infinity scarf pattern here on Swoodson Says- you can use the same pattern and sew with different fabrics as well!

Easy to personalize and fast to make, these stay put kitchen towels are so cute, from Sew Can She.

Turn their favorite band or college shirt into a pillow with this easy t-shirt pillow tutorial here at Swoodson Says.

If you know they sew, make them a convenient ironing board organizer with this free tutorial from Flamingo Toes.

Everyone loves tote bags and this is a really simple tote bag tutorial that you can whip up quickly.

I can’t get enough of fabric trays! I use them to sort jewelry, change, keys, etc. and they sew up super quick, check out the diy fabric tray tutorial here at Swoodson Says.

 

Potholder sewing tutorial at Radiant Home Studio – these pair well with a baked good or a baking mix in a mason jar!

Sew up a sweet little coaster this year and pair it with a fun new mug! Check out this english paper pieced coaster tutorial here on Swoodson Says – or check out my other diy coaster tutorials here.

 

A functional organizer that anyone can use, find the dopp kit sewing tutorial at The Sewing Directory

 

For the kids in your life, sew some upcycled crayon holders with this diy tutorial here at Swoodson Says!

Give them a pretty notebook with a custom cover! This is perfect for anyone who journals, to-do-lists, or writes, get the tutorial at Ameroonie Designs.

Use old jeans to make a portable matching game! If you don’t do vinyl, use a stencil or more fabric scraps instead, see the upcycled toy tutorial here on my site.

Stitch up sweet photo ornaments with fun embellishments! These were so fun to make, get the tutorial here on Swoodson Says.

Good for practically everything, zip pouches are great gifts. Find this cheery patchwork zip pouch free tutorial on Ellis and Higgs!

You could offer a “gift certificate” to make this with their favorite shirt or dig into your own stash and sew some super cheap stuffed animals with this tshirt upcycle project here on my site!

Cuddly and fast to make, gift a simple minky baby blanket tutorial at Sew What Alicia

Perfect for winter babies, sew up some modern knit baby hats from Zaaberry (I’ve sewn these, they’re great!)

A quick and easy tween present, see how to sew a scrunchie here at Swoodson Says, I wrote this for upcycling leggings but it works for woven and knit fabric too!

A fun little baby toy with taggies, see how to sew one at Applegreen Cottage.

I love giving plant as a gift! If you have houseplants of your own, you can usually root trimmings too, making it super cheap. Stick them in a cute little planter like this upcycled one on my blog and you’ve got a thrifty, cheery gift. If you don’t want to upcycle, check out this slightly different version that’s sewn from new fabric.

I don’t meant to brag, but everyone loves these felt kitties! They’re so easy to make, get the details here on my blog.

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