Ever look at a $90 blouse and wonder how hard it could really be to sew? Usually, not very. These 23 sewing projects for women cover the pieces that get worn the most: breezy dresses, easy tops, swingy skirts and cozy layers. Sewing for women here means real clothes cut from simple shapes, a cape cut from one square of wool, a top sewn from two scarves, a dolman blouse traced from a favorite tee, and many come with a free pattern to download. New to the machine? Start with the kimono jacket or the gathered skirt, then work up to a lined boat neck top or a pleated midi. Two DIY JOY embroidery projects with videos are mixed in too, for dressing up jeans and a holiday sweater. Perfect for weekend sewing, thrift store refashions and handmade gifts!
1. Sew A Chartreuse Oversized Dolman Top
This oversized dolman top needs no set in sleeves, just a front, a back and two neckline strips. Use a fitted tee as the guide: trace its neckline, measure about 13 inches straight out from the neck for the sleeve, drop down a couple of inches past the tee’s sleeve length, then curve toward the armpit and run the side seam about 4 inches outside the tee. Cut a shallower neckline for the back. About 1.5 yards of a drapey woven like chiffon, silk or rayon is enough. Make it as long as you like.
Get the full tutorial at Elle Apparel.
2. Make A Kimono Jacket
This lightweight kimono jacket is one of the quickest garments a beginner can sew, and it layers over a tank or tee all summer. It is cut from one rectangle of voile with a slit up the front and simple side seams that leave openings for the arms. The hardest part is the rolled hem on a fine fabric. Choose a knit blend that does not fray and the hem can be skipped altogether. A soft floral print, a long pendant necklace and a skinny belt make it look boutique bought.
Get the full tutorial at The Polka Dot Chair.
3. How to Make a Cute Bow Embroidery on Jeans
Bow embroidery on jeans is a beginner friendly way to dress up a plain pair or hide a small tear, and each bow takes only a few minutes. Bring the needle up, go down about half an inch across, and repeat in short rows to fill the body of the bow. Then wrap the working thread around the center of those stitches and pull gently to pinch the bow shape. Two angled stitches below the knot make the tails. Ordinary sewing thread works, though embroidery floss gives a bolder bow.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
4. Floral Midi Tutorial
This floral midi skirt is two big rectangles of fabric with knife pleats at the waist. Measure the natural waist, halve it and multiply by three for each panel’s width, then add the desired length plus 2 inches for seams and hem. Pin the center of each panel and fold three knife pleats on either side pointing toward the middle, until the top measures half the waist plus seam allowance. Baste the pleats, add an interfaced waistband, an invisible zipper and a hook and eye. Two yards of stretch charmeuse makes one.
Get the full tutorial at Elle Apparel.
5. 50's Flamingo Dress With Knotted Shoulders DIY
This 1950s style dress adds knotted shoulder ties to a free tea dress pattern with a slash neckline. The base pattern downloads at no cost, comes in a UK size 10 (a US 6) and grows easily by adding a little width to each bodice panel. For the ties, extend the shoulder straps on the front and back bodice into long tabs, and on the facings too, then cross and stitch them so the knot lands in the right spot. Scuba fabric gives the skirt a smooth, structured shape. Check the bodice length before cutting.
Get the full tutorial at Sew Different.
6. DIY Off The Shoulder Top
An off the shoulder top is really three gathered tubes of fabric: one big tube for the body and two small ones for the sleeves. Measure the body from the top of the bra line to the waist and the sleeves from below the shoulder to the elbow. Hem each tube, sew a casing at the top wide enough for elastic, then stitch the long edge closed. Thread elastic through all three, then join the sleeves to the body under the arms. About 2 meters of cotton or silk is enough, and it can even be sewn by hand.
Get the full tutorial at Geneva Vanderzeil.
7. DIY Beautiful Silk Blouse
This simple silk tee drafts its own pattern from scratch on taped together paper about 24 by 26 inches. Draw a center line and side lines 12 inches out, drop 3.5 inches for the shoulder slope and 9 inches more for the armhole, and curve a front neckline about 7.5 inches deep with a shallower back. That gives a 48 inch body that fits small through large. Cut front and back on the fold, sew the shoulders and sides, and finish the edges with bias binding. One yard of fabric and about two hours does it.
Get the full tutorial at Runway Sewing.
8. Wool Cape Tutorial
A wool cape is about as simple as sewing gets: one 60 inch square of fabric and matching thread. Mark the center of the square, 30 inches in from every side. Cut a straight line from the middle of one edge to that center mark, then measure 12 inches to each side of the cut and slice from those points to the center, removing a triangle to shape the front opening and neckline. Hem the raw edges by folding them under twice and stitching. Selvedge edges can stay as they are for a fringed look.
Get the full tutorial at Elle Apparel.
9. Easy to Sew Breezy Tee Long Sleeve Sweater Dress
This cozy sweater dress stretches a free loose fitting tee pattern, sized L, into a dress. Cut the front and back pieces 12 to 18 inches longer than the top and square off the hem instead of curving it. Add the long sleeve version of the pattern and sew it together the same way as the tee. The result is roomy and drapey, so a line of elastic across the center back adds a little shape: mark the line with tape inside, pin the elastic slightly shorter than the line and stretch it as it is stitched.
Get the full tutorial at It's Always Autumn.
10. Easy Christmas Sweater Embroidery Hack
This Christmas sweater embroidery hack fakes thick, raised lettering with hot glue and cord, so a plain knit sweater turns festive without hours of stitching. Lay out the words, like HO HO HO, and trace them on the sweater. Glue lines of white cord or thick yarn along the letters, then tack them down with an embroidery needle so the stitches hold the cord in place. The glue makes the letters stand up like embossing and keeps the work sturdy, even after washing. A beginner can finish one in an evening.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
11. DIY Boat Neck Top
This boat neck top comes with a free downloadable PDF pattern in an AU 12, best for a smaller bust, and the width is easy to take in or let out. One meter of floral fabric, one meter of lining and five buttons are all it needs. Cut a front and two backs from both the main fabric and the lining, sew the darts on each, then join the shoulders. Stitch the lining to the main fabric around the neck and armholes, turn it right side out and finish with buttons down the back.
Get the full tutorial at The Bears Four.
12. Day Date Dress Tutorial
The day date dress pairs a fitted knit bodice and a Peter Pan collar with a gathered skirt that falls just below the knee, plus pockets. Trace an existing high neck top for the bodice, ending about half an inch past the natural waist, and borrow its collar shape too. Cut two collars and one interfacing, sew them right sides together and turn them. Short sleeves get folded cuffs. Elastic at the waist shapes the skirt. Two to three yards of lightweight knit, a yard of quarter inch elastic and knit interfacing are needed.
Get the full tutorial at Elle Apparel.
13. Easy Gathered Skirt Tutorial
This easy gathered skirt updates a classic rectangle skirt with an invisible zipper and a clean finished waistband. Cut and gather the skirt panel the usual way, but leave one side seam and the waistband open. Stitch one end of the waistband to the skirt, lightweight interfacing on that section helps, then insert the invisible zipper, marking the waistband line with pencil on both sides so it lines up. Press the top edge under a quarter inch, fold the waistband to enclose the zipper and finish it by hand or topstitch.
Get the full tutorial at Simple Simon and Company.
14. DIY Boxy Pleated Top
This boxy pleated top recreates a store bought blouse with six wide pleats across the front. Each finished pleat is 2 inches wide with 2 inches tucked behind it, so every pleat adds 4 inches to the bodice front. Decide on the pleat width and count first, then add that extra to the shoulders and center front when cutting. The pieces are a bodice front and back, two short sleeves and two rectangles to line the neckline. One yard of 60 inch wide fabric is enough. Pick a light, drapey fabric; a sturdy knit adds bulk.
Get the full tutorial at Merrick's Art.
15. DIY Maxi Fringe Dress
This maxi fringe dress copies a store look for outdoor summer concerts. Start from a simple knit dress pattern, here a commercial McCall’s pattern, extend the hem to the floor and leave off the sleeves, hemming the armholes instead. Then make the fringe: evenly cut 1 inch strips up from the hem to the desired height, about to the knee, and tie the strips in a knotted pattern so the fringe drapes rather than hanging stiff. A soft gray jersey and a denim jacket keep the look casual and festival ready.
Get the full tutorial at Riva la Diva.
16. Cocoon Shawl Cardigan Tutorial
The cocoon cardigan is a slouchy shawl style wrap that comes with a free sewing pattern and a two part video tutorial. It is made for knits, and a light to medium bamboo jersey gives it the right drape. The body is cut as a wide rectangle with sleeves formed by the seams, then a long collar band finishes the front edge, measuring 5.5 by 45 inches per the pattern correction. It is long enough to cover the hips and makes an easy cover up over sleeveless tops and dresses on cool evenings.
Get the full tutorial at Sew in Love.
17. DIY Cocoon Dress
This cocoon dress uses a free triangle drape dress pattern built from a basic dress sloper, and a simple shift dress pattern stands in when there is no sloper on hand. Draping panels fall from the shoulders into a relaxed cocoon shape that skims the body. If the V neckline lands too low, twist the fabric at the center front, pin it and hand stitch it into a draped detail. Bamboo knit drapes beautifully but can be heavy here, so a lighter polyester knit holds the shape better. Comfortable for every season.
Get the full tutorial at Sew in Love.
18. Sew A Tropical Maxi Dress
This tropical maxi dress hacks a free wrap dress pattern into a floor length dress with flutter sleeves. Extending a straight skirt to the floor makes walking impossible, so the side seams flare out slightly from the hip down and the skirt uses the full fabric width. The sleeves are reshaped looser and wider for a summery flutter. A video covers both pattern changes plus the full sewing steps, and the written steps come in the pattern download. An ITY knit print drapes well, and the waist elastic is optional.
Get the full tutorial at So Sew Easy.
19. Turn an Old Shirt Into a Chic Blouse DIY
An oversized button down shirt becomes a chic bow neck blouse with scissors and a sewing machine. Cut the shirt into five pieces: the torso, two sections from the sleeves joined together to make the neck tie, and two more sleeve pieces to bind the raw armhole edges. The torso becomes a sleeveless shell, the long tie sews to the neckline, and the bindings finish the armholes neatly. The step photos show how to fix the fit problems along the way. A polka dot shirt and a pleated skirt make a sweet vintage outfit.
Get the full tutorial at AllDayChic.
20. Raglan Sweatshirt Tutorial
This raglan sweatshirt comes together in about an hour from a free raglan tee pattern sized L, printed at full size with the test square checked. Cut the front and back on the fold using the different necklines, adding an inch at the sides near the bottom for a relaxed fit and shortening the body for a hem band. Cut each sleeve on the fold too, with the back neckline, then trim the front neckline on one half so the sleeves mirror. Add about 5 inches for long sleeves, plus cuffs. About 1.5 yards of knit is plenty.
Get the full tutorial at It's Always Autumn.
21. Pleated Beach Dress Sewing Tutorial
This pleated beach dress is an easy swimsuit cover up made from one yard of lightweight woven fabric and a package of bias tape. Use a tank top or sleeveless dress as the pattern, but cut the neckline about twice as wide to leave room for pleating, and scoop the front slightly lower than the back. Mark the center of each neckline, fold pleats in toward the middle so they match on both sides, then bind the neckline and armholes with bias tape. Chiffon, lightweight rayon or a linen blend all work.
Get the full tutorial at Merrick's Art.
22. DIY Wrap Dress
This wrap dress is drafted without a printed pattern and pulls on over the head, so there are no zippers or buttons. Cut two crossover front bodice pieces and one back, each from the shoulders to the waist plus about an inch, making the fronts a little wider so they overlap. Sew the shoulders and sides. For the skirt, join panels into one big loop, hem it and gather or pleat it to fit the bodice. Elastic sewn to the gathered edge shapes the waist. About 3 meters of fabric covers the whole dress.
Get the full tutorial at schwurlie.
23. Dress From Two Scarves Tutorial
Two matching square scarves, thrifted for about $4 each, turn into a breezy top or a loose dress with just a few seams. Place the scarves right sides together and mark the center. Leave a neckline opening of about 10 to 11 inches and sew the shoulder seams on either side. Mark the armhole depth, then stitch up the sides from the hem to that mark. With 35 inch scarves it is long enough to wear as a dress with a sash. Trim and hem it for a top. Use a light pressure foot and a fine needle on delicate fabric.
Get the full tutorial at Shannon Sews.
