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Learn a life skill and have fun at the same time with these simple sewing projects for beginners! Let kids make pencil toppers, bag tags, plushies and more!

When I was young, my mother enrolled me in a Home Science class at school. I hated it from the start – too bad the art class was full!

We started class with a handkerchief embroidery, where we practiced fitting the loop and trying out different stitches. I learnt the bare minimum and somehow scraped through. It’s only later that I realized all those were valuable life skills!

Sewing isn’t something grandmothers in books do – it’s something all our kids need to learn! Kids need to know at least some basic hand stitches, and if they’re interested, the sewing machine is waiting! Here are some simple and fun sewing projects for beginners – perfect for kids or the kid-at-heart!

10 Simple Sewing Projects for Beginners

1. Emoji Zipper Pouch

We love emoji crafts – they have such universal appeal! That’s also one of the reasons we love this emoji zipper pouch from See Kate Sew. This is a great project for beginners and kids since although there is sewing involved, it’s minimal, and a lot of glue is used making it a ‘safe’ project.

2. Handmade Felt Valentine Owl

This little owl is the perfect classroom Valentine gift! In such pretty colors, it makes a great pocket friend too. Kids can also stick on the small parts if they don’t want to sew everything. Stuffing the owl is also going to be fun!

3. Sew Your Own Scrunchies

Every girl with hair below her ear needs scrunchies, and you’ll find that most of us go through these pretty fast! That’s why it makes sense to sew your own – especially when they’re so easy to make and can be color coordinated with your outfit! Check out the instructions at My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe.

4. Kids Pencil Toppers

Lia Griffith has some amazing sewing projects on her site and these pencil toppers are among the easiest! The apples, especially, are basically two pieces of felt sewn all around with an opening in the center. Kids can make a dozen of these at once!

5. DIY Poop Emoji Keychain

Here’s another emoji project kids will love – because it’s poop! Red Ted Art gives us a full tutorial to make the poop emoji, which you can either draw freehand or search for a template online. Use it as a key chain or a bag tag – the options are limitless!

6. DIY Felt Dinosaur Plushie

This is one for the dino fans! The body of the dinosaur is just one single piece, making it easy for beginners. You can make it easier by sticking on googly eyes along with the spots. FYI – this is an Apatosaurus!

7. Portrait Bag Tag

Yes smiley faces are fun, but sometimes you want it to be a bit more personal. In that case, you should try making this portrait bag tag from Make It Your Own. It’s an easy project and the best part is that you can make it to look exactly like you!

8. Kid Made Drawstring Bag

This sewing project requires the use of a sewing machine, so it’s better suited for older kids. But once kids get the hang of it, they’ll want to keep making more and more! It’s perfect to make party bags for return gifts – you can make them in your theme colors!

9. Fabric Bookmarks

You know what would get kids interested in reading more? Bookmarks they’ve made themselves!! Of course, there are thousands of DIY bookmarks out there, but these ones from Peekaboo Pages are different – they’re sewn from fabric! Great for kids learning to use the sewing machine since it involves only straight stitches.

10. Easy Sew Felt Snowman

Here’s a friendly little snowman that’ll give kids some good practice for their sewing skills! You can glue on the buttons and features of the snowman, to stop the project from getting too overwhelming for beginners.

These sewing projects make great gifts, and are also an excellent way to upcycle old items like fabric or felt scraps and odd bits of ribbon or string. Once kids learn more advanced techniques, you’ll have a hard time stopping them from making cooler stuff!