After writing up some of my best tips for teaching kids sewing, I wanted to have a list of free and easy sewing projects for kids for adults who don’t want to buy a curriculum or work from a book. These are all tutorials I’ve read through, from bloggers I trust, that I think will be fun kids sewing crafts! One of my tips is always to sew a sample first though, I think it’s easier to teach when you’ve made it yourself.
I encourage you to think outside the box, too! Sometimes simply allowing kids to add buttons, trims, or fabric paint can take a simple beginner sewing project that adults might like, into something perfect for a kid. If you aren’t already set up to sew, check out this post of ideas of how to make a diy sewing kit for hand sewing or this post with a list of beginner sewing supplies for machine sewing.
I made sure to include several sewing projects for boys too; while I’m totally on board with toys, clothes, and crafts having no gender restrictions I also know most of my son’s friends aren’t as keen to sew skirts and dolls.
Check these related posts out while you’re at it:
- 20+ cutest sewing kits for kids
- The best sewing machines for kids
- The best tips for teaching kids to sew
- 10 free simple embroidery patterns for kids!
Not ready to pick one today? Pin this round-up of sewing patterns kids can make themselves with this link or collage photo, please click over to the original websites to pin individual photos!
20+ easy sewing projects for kids
This one is so much fun, see how to sew a DIY plush toy with your kiddo’s drawing!
My snuggle snake softie tutorial here at Swoodson Says; this is sewn from old tshirts! Designed for machine and hand sewing.
Practice stitches on the easiest level with younger kids – try a sewing card with these free printables from Wild Olive! For hand sewing only.
Really clever and simple “never-ending journal” tutorial over at Sewing School, designed for hand sewing.
The sweetest fairy house pillow sewing pattern from Made for Mermaids, for machine sewing only.
A sweet little free fox purse sewing tutorial from I Heart Crafty Things, designed for hand sewing but could be machine sewn as well.
Super fun emoji face pillow with a free pattern from Easy Sewing for Beginners, I bet tweens and teens would love these! It is designed for hand sewing but would work for machine sewing as well.
A fun Christmas hand sewing tutorial, the jingle bird stuffed animal sewing pattern / ornament tutorial designed for small hands and here on Swoodson Says. This is a hand sewing project.
A classic first clothing pattern to sew, these are from a free kid’s pajama pants pattern at Patterns for Pirates and are for machine sewing only.
A useful and simple school supplies organizer sewing tutorial, from The Seaman Mom, this could be for machine or hand sewing.
Animal pillows from Hattifant are simple and snuggly, for machine sewing only.
A super simple, flat sheep softie sewing pattern here at Swoodson Says, this is for machine sewing only.
Useful and cute, this robot zipper pouch tutorial from Make it and Love it is designed for machine sewing and looks super fun.
This looks trickier than it actually is! A fun t-shirt upcycle sewing project that turns a shirt into a stuffed animal, here at Swoodson Says. The nice part about this tutorial is you can make it simpler or harder depending on the child’s age, just do straight lines or larger curves to make it easier!
Simple and sure to get lots of a play, a clear and easy beanbag sewing tutorial over at While She Naps. These are for machine sewing only; with younger kids I would just machine stitch the closure instead of ladder stitching.
4 different project ideas that mix hand and machine sewing – see how to turn kids’ hand sewing into gifts. They are a mix of hand and machine sewing ideas.
My first hand sewing pattern designed for kids, the felt pocket kitty pattern is super popular and fun to make here on Swoodson Says! This is for hand sewing only, but kids can draw the face on instead of stitch as well!
Simple skirt sewing tutorial, with included measurements for sizes 2-12, from Fleece Fun. This is for machine sewing only.
For older kids who want to sew clothes, this is a great way to tackle the first project! Upcycle old tshirts so you can reuse the hem – follow my tutorial here. This is for machine sewing only.
Simple and sweet, easy felt clutch from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom. My kids would love to make one of these! This is machine sewn but could be replicated in felt and handsewn.
About as easy as it gets, simple scrappy bookmarks! Measurements and photo tutorial here on Swoodson Says. This example is machine sewn but could be hand sewn without too much trouble.
I’ve sewn this one! It’s a multi-sized free superhero cape pattern for kids, over at Peekaboo Patterns and is for machine sewing, although you could do 1 layer of felt or fleece and just hand sew the closures/letter on the crest.
This simple hand embroidery pattern for kids is a fun hand sewing project! Turn it into a pillow or a patch for extra fun when it is done – download the free kid’s embroidery sampler here on Swoodson Says.