5 Sewing Projects For Beginners (Included In My Learn to Sew Course)

I have a little breakdown for you today, looking at the five sewing projects for beginners that are included in my Learn to sew online course.

All sewing projects include PDF sewing patterns and guides that are my own designs, which you can print at home. They will be available as PDF downloads two weeks before the project start date so that you have time to print what is needed and gather supplies.

Bucket Hat

Not everyone loves the look of a bucket hat, but it is a great starting project for sewing beginners. Not only is it a simple project to construct but it also provides practicing the following sewing techniques:

• Sewing straight edges to curved edges which is not as easy as it sounds
• Parallel sewing multiple lines of stitching spaced equally apart on the curved brim
• Fabric finishing methods inc. plain seam

For those who feel they need a little more excitement than what a bucket hat suggests, you can always cut the pattern from a more complex fabric than the one suggested – faux leather, faux fur, or perhaps a more textured option with a constructed textile of your own? The world (of bucket hats) is your oyster!

Knit Tee

What? A knit project for sewing beginners? Absolutely! Stable knits can be sewn on a home sewing machine, with just a bit of know-how, and this project will make you confident in sewing knits, which is really a no-brainer with the prevalence of knit garments now!

The sewing techniques this project practices include:

• Sewing knit fabrics on a home sewing machine
• Knit stitch practice (zigzag / lightning)
• Bias finished neckline
• Taped shoulder seams
• Double stitched hem
• Twin needle practice (optional)

Additionally, there are alternative skills that can be practiced when you make the pattern up in a woven fabric instead, for those who are anti-knit:

• French seams
• Stay stitching
• Double fold hem
• Scalloped or deep banded hem (optional)

Instructions will be included on how to use the pattern for woven fabrics if that is your preference!

Skirts

Not one for the fellas joining us, but who doesn’t enjoy making a skirt for others when there’s sewing practice to be had?

They can also be sewn in miniature form too, for those wanting to save on fabric but still get the practice of sewing techniques in!

We’ll have three options to choose from in this project:

1. Circle skirt
2. Rectangle skirt
3. Tiered skirt

I will provide you with a pattern template for the circle skirt, and a measurement guide for the rectangle and tiered skirt options.

These skirt projects will work best with woven fabrics, but they can be sewn in other stable materials too. And when you’re feeling more confident you can hack them easily with other projects to create dress shapes!

Shirt

A relaxed fit grandad shirt is the perfect unisex item that you can make for yourself or for others and my Jude shirt pattern which is a unisex sewing pattern is a beauty. With some creative thinking (once you feel confident of course) you can also modify this basic pattern into something more uniquely you.

When making the basic version of this project you will practice the following skills:

• Stay stitching neckline
• Attaching a stand collar
• Gathering stitch on sleeve head
• Flat sleeve insertion
• Felled seams
• Shaped (or straight) double fold hem
• Self-facing button placket
• Buttonholes
• Flat (or shanked) buttons
• Patch pocket
• Continuous sleeve placket
• Attaching cuffs

This project is one that works best with a woven fabric, but it can be sewn in a stable knit fabric too. And when you’re feeling more confident it can easily be modified to be more of an outerwear garment to include a center front open ended zipper!

Shorts

Our final project for the Learn to Sew course is a shorts pattern, that will also work for those who don’t do shorts – you can simply lengthen the pattern to make a full-length version with my included guide!

This pattern can be used for relaxed shorts with an elastic waistband or put your zipper skills to the test with a more fitted version.

This project will provide practice of:

• Elastic casing (relaxed fit)
• Zipper fly and waistband (fitted fit)
• Slash pocket and stabilization
• Welt seams
• Double fold hem
• Twin needle practice (optional)

This project can be sewn in either a stable knit or woven fabric, with each giving a different look to the finished garment.

Expanding The Projects

The projects included in my Learn to Sew course have been carefully considered to make sure that they provide practice of the techniques taught in the course, but also provide you with future options to create new clothes for yourself and others.

I’ll be including a lesson on how I would use these projects as a starting point, so that you can be inspired too!

If you feel there is something missing, please do let me know in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts, and if you feel that you’re ready to learn to sew, you can join my online sewing course right here!

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