50 Summer Sewing Projects with Free Patterns and Tutorials
Tutorial: Camisole with Knit Fabric (pattern and sewing tutorial)
Making your own clothes is not as difficult as you think. I’m the kind of person who wears a cami as an undershirt pretty much every day. Of course, that meant I needed to figure out how to sew my own. This tutorial will walk you through how to take…
Tutorial: DIY Reversible Bandeau
Bandeau tops are great for those extra hot summer days. I’ll show you how to make a basic elastic bandeau that is also reversible, so you can use two of your favorite fabrics. You can also use this tutorial to make a swimsuit top, making the reverse side of the…
Tutorial: Easy Harem Pants
Harem pants are super comfortable and easy to make. I like to wear them as pajama pants all summer long, but they are versatile and can be dressed up or down however you like. You can print out the pattern using the link below, or use your own measurements to…
Tutorial: Easy 3/4 Flowy Pants With an Elastic Waist
Learn how to make a super quick and easy pair of elastic waist pants. I made this pattern to be a 3/4 length pant, but please lengthen or shorten them to whatever length you want. You can print out the pattern below, or create your own pattern based on your…
Tutorial: Basic Tank Top (how to pattern and sew)
This tutorial will walk you through how to make a sewing pattern for a basic tank top based on your own personal measurements. This is nothing fancy, it’s just a great way to get started gaining some confidence as you start making your own sewing patterns. Follow the steps below…
Tutorial: Easy Basic No-Sleeve T-shirt (pattern and sewing tutorial)
If you’re ready to start making your own custom sewing patterns, a basic T-shirt is a great place to start. Because sleeves are one of the most difficult parts of pattern-making, this beginner tutorial leaves that part out by combining a dropped sleeve to the bodice. I’ll walk you through…
Tutorial: Empire Waist Skirt With an Elastic Back
This tutorial will show you how to use your own measurements to create an empire-waist skirt that has an elastic back. This is my first time making a fitted clothing sewing pattern, so at this point I don’t know to create the pattern in different sizes. Instead, I’ll walk you…
Tutorial: Scrap Fabric Apron
This tutorial will walk you through how to make a fun and colorful apron using leftover scraps of fabric. We’ll sew the scraps together into a collage and then cut out and construct the apron. Print out the free pattern below and follow along with the step-by-step instructions. Supplies Needed:…
Tutorial: Wrap Tie Shirt with 1 Yard or Less
This tutorial will walk you through how to turn one yard of fabric into a cute wrap top. The shirt will be more-or-less shaped like a rectangle with ties to wrap in around the front and back of your body. I’ll show you how to make a basic neckline pattern,…
Tutorial: Simple Sleeveless Shirt (how to make your own pattern)
Ready to make your own pattern for a sleeveless shirt? This tutorial will walk you through the step by step instructions for making a simple semi-fitted sleeveless shirt with a collar neckline. Use your sloper (a base pattern that matches your body measurements) and follow the step-by-step instructions below. This…
Tutorial: Easy Wrap Skirt
This tutorial will teach you how to make a simple gathered wrap skirt with a wide waistband. You can use a single length of fabric for this, or you can sew a bunch of scraps together for a completely unique skirt. I’m using a yard and a half of fabric…
Tutorial: Lightweight Harem Pants with an Elastic Waist
Learn how to stitch together a unique pair of lightweight breezy pants using large rectangles of fabric. They’ll have an easy elastic waist and elastic cuffs. You can also add a pop of color or contrast fabric to the center of the pants, or just use the same fabric throughout….
Tutorial: Simple Jacket Using Only Rectangles
Use big rectangles of fabric to create a new loose jacket design. I’ll walk you through how to create your own jacket pattern based on your measurements, and how to sew everything together. I recommend creating your paper pattern first before cutting anything out (I’ll walk you through how to…
Tutorial: Easy Flowy Circle Shirt
You’ve heard of a circle skirt, but what about a circle shirt!? I decided to try to make one. I’ll walk you through my process below and show you how to create your own pattern that you can use to make your own full circle shirt with a belt. I…
Tutorial: 5-Panel Wide Brimmed Sun Hat
Learn how to make a simple sun hat using less than 1 yard of fabric. This tutorial will walk you through how to assemble the hat and make the brim stand out to shade your face from the sun. Print out the free pattern below and follow along with the…
Tutorial: 20’s-Style Brimmed Bonnet Hat
I’ll walk you through how to make a cute 20’s style hat. You can use scraps of fabric and make each panel a different color, or you can use 1/4 yard of two contrasting fabrics for a two-toned hat. Print out the free pattern below and follow along with the…
Tutorial: Adorable Strawberry Purse
Learn how to make this adorable strawberry crossbody purse. This is an excellent way to give your outfit a refreshing spring or summer vibe. You can print out the free sewing pattern using the button below, and get started with the step-by-step tutorial. Supplies Needed: (all of my patterns include…
Tutorial: How to Make a Ruffle ‘Flower’ Purse
This tutorial will teach you how to make a cute ruffle purse that resembles a flower. I chose my fabric to make the purse look like a sunflower, but you can be as creative as you want when deciding what kind of flower your purse should look like. I also…
Tutorial: The Perfect Scrappy Rainbow Pillow (it’s easier than you think!)
Learn how to make a cool scrap rainbow pillow. It may look complicated, but this is actually a very simple pillow and an easy way to use up fabric scraps from other sewing projects (or you can upcycle old pieces of clothing you never wear anymore). I’ll teach you how…
Tutorial: Round Rainbow Throw Pillow
This tutorial will teach you how to make a cute scrap throw pillow with a rainbow of colors. All you need are some small scraps of fabric that feature the different colors of the rainbow. You can use scraps from previous sewing projects, or cut out the pieces from old…
Tutorial: How to Make a Lightweight Summer Infinity Scarf
This is a quick step-by-step tutorial that teaches you how to make a lightweight infinity scarf. I designed this pattern to use only 1/4 yard of fabric (60″ width), so if you have any leftover from another project, this is the perfect scarf to make. I’ll also walk you through…
Tutorial: Make an Easy Headband Using Lightweight Fabric Scraps
I often find it more difficult to find a use for lightweight scraps of fabric that for typical cotton scraps. This tutorial will show you how to make a cute and quirky headband using leftover chiffon, organza, or similar lightweight materials. Check out the free pattern below and follow along…
Tutorial: How to Make a Lightweight Scarf with Fabric Scraps
If you have any sheer or lightweight scraps sitting around from other projects, you can use them to create a truly unique summer scarf. Check out the pattern (below), arrange your scraps, and I’ll teach you how to sew them together step-by-step. I recommend using a microtex needle when sewing…
Tutorial: Scrap Denim Bucket Hat
Learn how to make an upcycled bucket hat using scraps of denim. The free pattern (below) was made with small pattern pieces so that you can easily cut up old pairs of jeans to patch together different shades and tones of the denim for a creative and sustainably made hat….
Tutorial: Flower Bud Tote Bag
This cute little flower petal tote bag is made with green fabric remnants to make it look like spring leaves or a flower bud. This tote can be made with half yard remnants of fabric to create the tie handles of this bag, as well as a smaller fabric remnant…
Tutorial: Simple Under-Seat Bike Bag
This is a tutorial to walk you through how to make a bag that fits under the seat of your bike. This is great for holding those bike tools that are handy in a pinch. The bike bag has pockets on the inside and I’ll show you how to make…
Tutorial: Large Cat Head Purse With Crossbody Strap
Learn how to make a cute crossbody cat purse that is shaped like a cat’s head. This tutorial will teach you how to make a large tote bag with a clip on strap and a simple lining. It’s big enough to keep all of your daily essentials. This tutorial is…
Tutorial: Unique Summer Shawl Using Fabric Scraps
Use those leftover rayon, chiffon, voile, and lightweight fabric scraps to make a new shawl that shows off your unique creativity. I’ll walk you through how to sew your scraps into a collage using durable seams that will turn your old scraps into something new. I recommend using a microtex…
Tutorial: Upcycle a T-shirt into an Infinity Scarf
Looking for an easy upcycle project? It doesn’t get simpler than this T-shirt scarf tutorial. In less than 10 minutes you can turn an old T-shirt into an new infinity scarf for you (or your kids). This tutorial works best with large or very stretchy T-shirts. Supplies Needed: Step 1…
Tutorial: Easy Summer Neck Scarf
If you have some lightweight fabric scraps or remnants, you can use them to create a fashionable neck scarf to match your outfit. This is a quick project that will take less than half an hour to finish. Print out the free pattern below and get started with the step-by-step…
Tutorial: How to Make a Large Tote Bag With Pockets (using Fabric Remnants)
This tutorial will teach you how to make a large tote bag with pockets and just 1/2 yard of fabric and some scraps. I’ve digitized the pattern I made for this tutorial so you can print it out and follow along with the step-by-step. This bag was made so that…
Tutorial: Strawberry Drawstring Pouch
Use this tutorial to make a strawberry drawstring pouch that you can use as a goody bag for a spring aesthetic at events or for spring decor. You can make this using leftover scraps and remnants of fabric (as long as you have some red and green!). Check out the…
Tutorial: How to Sew a Padded Case for Sunglasses
My sunglasses case just broke, split straight down the spine. But no worries! It just gives me the excuse to make this cute new case for my sunglasses. I only work with fabric, but of course I still want my sunglasses to be protected, so I designed a quick padded…
Tutorial: How to Make a Butterfly Hair Clip (in 10 minutes)
This tutorial will show you how to make an easy butterfly hair clip using some leftover lightweight fabric scraps. It’s a quick tutorial that you can easily accomplish in 10 minutes. I’ve also included a free pattern you can use to follow along with the step-by-step instructions. If you don’t…
Tutorial: How to Make a Basic Bandana Headband
Bandana headbands are quite cute and easy to make. This bandana uses ribbon to tie in the back, instead of a typical elastic casing. It makes the headband quite simple to make and the size is more adjustable. Check out the free pattern below and check out my step-by-step instructions…
Tutorial: How to Make a Stretch Headband with Fabric Flowers
Learn how to make a stretch knit headband and flower with this quick tutorial. You can make the headband from a bit of leftover jersey or stretch knit fabric and make the flower from what ever bright colored knit scraps you have available. Print the pattern below for the sizing…
Tutorial: How to Make a Cute Flower Headband
Learn how to make a simple elastic headband with fabric flowers to give it a cute spring and summer aesthetic. All you need for this are some fabric remnants (less than 1/4) leftover from other projects and some small lightweight scraps for the flowers. You can access the pattern below…
Tutorial: How to Make a Simple Ribbon Rose
Learn how to make an easy ribbon rose using this simple 10-minute tutorial. All you need is a bit of ribbon and some hand-sewing needle and thread. This tutorial won’t work well with a super thin ribbon, but anything about 1/2 inch or wider will work fine. So grab a…
Tutorial: Ribbon Leaves for flowers
Learn how to make super simple flower leaves with ribbon using this 10-minute tutorial. All you need is a little strand of ribbon and some needle and thread. This tutorial won’t work well with a super thin ribbon, so you’ll want to use something that is about 1/2 inch or…
Tutorial: Simple Tulip Ribbon Flower
Learn how to make an easy ribbon tulip using this simple 10-minute tutorial. All you need is one strand of ribbon that is about a foot long and some hand-sewing needle and thread. This tutorial won’t work well with a super thin ribbon, so you’ll want to use something that…
Tutorial: How to Make Cute Flower Accessories With Buttons
This quick tutorial will teach you how to make an easy petaled flower using scraps of fabric and a cute little button. These quick flowers are great for decorations that give your home or outfit a touch of spring, or you can use them to create simple hair clips, headbands,…
Tutorial: Easy Ribbon Flower With One Piece of Ribbon
Learn how to make an easy ribbon flower using this simple 10-minute tutorial. All you need is one strand of ribbon that is about 10″ to 12″ long and some hand-sewing needle and thread. This tutorial won’t work well with a super thin ribbon, but anything about one inch or…
Tutorial: Easy Flowers Using Ribbon
This is the easiest way I know to make fabric flowers. All you have to do is arrange the ribbon, stitch thread around the edges and pull. If you have a spool of ribbon, or any leftover from other projects, you can quickly make a whole bouquet of flowers. This…
Tutorial: How to Make a Simple Braided Rose with Ribbon
This is a very simple tutorial to make a little rose hair clip by braiding some leftover ribbon. The ribbons you use should be approximately the same length, but it’s okay if they are different widths. What ever you have leftover from other projects will probably work just fine. I…
Tutorial: Simple Flowers Using Strips of Fabric
These little flowers use strips of lightweight fabric scraps and some creative gathering to make simple and unique flowers. I used them to create little hair clips, but you can easily use these in a fabric flower bouquet, headband, or other type of decoration when you want to give it…
Tutorial: Simple Fabric Flowers Using Small Squares
This quick tutorial will teach you how to make an easy 5-petal flower using lightweight scraps of fabric. These quick flowers are great for decorations that give your home or outfit a touch of spring. I like to use them to create simple hair clips, but you can also sew…
Tutorial: How to Make a 4-Petal Fabric Flower
In this tutorial I’ll teach you how to make a simple 4-petal flower using lightweight scraps of fabric. This will take you less than 10 minutes to make, and you can use the flower for a hair clip, brooch, bouquet, or just about any other time of decoration or accessory….
Tutorial: Simple Fabric Flowers Using Knit Scraps
This tutorial walks you through how to make easy flowers using knit fabric. You’ll create a double layer flower using semi-circles for the petals. The pattern below uses is a circle that’s 2 inches in diameter, but you can also create these flowers with slightly bigger circles and have a…
Tutorial: Simple Fabric Flowers Using Circles
These super simple flowers are made using circles of lightweight fabric scraps that you fold and gather to create cute little flowers. The pattern I included uses circles that are 3 inches in diameter, but you can adjust the size of your circle to make your flowers bigger or smaller,…
Tutorial: How to Make a Flower Pillow with 6 Petals
This tutorial will teach you how to make a flower-shaped pillow. It might look complicated, but this is actually a fairly simple project that’s great even for beginners. I had a half yard of quilting cotton leftover and it was just the right amount for the pillow. However, if you…
