Don’t own a sewing machine? Good news: you don’t need one for any of these. These 30 no sew home decor ideas lean on fusible hem tape, fabric glue, a hot glue gun and a staple gun to make curtains, valances, pillows, bench cushions, a footstool and even an upholstered box spring. There are quick wins too, like a fabric covered monogram, a rope coil basket and a sweater lampshade that takes about 20 minutes. Nine are DIY JOY video tutorials, including a $12 Roman shade made from a mini blind, jeans pocket placemats, felt fruit coasters, a felt leaf wreath and garland and fabric covered pots. One tip that saves a lot of frustration: wash and iron any fabric before you cut it, especially drop cloths, because they shrink. Find more projects on the no sew crafts hub.
1. No-Sew DIY Embroidery Hoop Pocket Wreath
This no sew DIY embroidery hoop pocket wreath is a fresh, modern spin on a front door wreath, and it takes less than an hour. Iron a heat transfer vinyl greeting onto a piece of muslin, then stack it on a second piece with the selvage edges lined up as the top of the pocket. Clamp both layers in a 12 inch wooden embroidery hoop, trim and hot glue the back. Tuck floral picks or short faux stems into the pocket, and swap them with every season. Perfect for spring, summer or fall.
Get the full tutorial at Orange Bettie.
2. Easy Fabric Covered Pots
Got a pile of pretty fabric scraps? These easy fabric covered pots put them to work in minutes. Brush matte Mod Podge over the outside of a terra cotta pot and wrap one piece of fabric around it, stretching it slightly as you go. Snip the extra at the base into little flaps and glue them flat underneath, then soak the whole pot in another coat. Trim the top edge to about 1 1/2 inches and fold it over the rim. Fill it with a succulent, herbs or candy for a quick handmade gift.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
3. $12 DIY Roman Shade From a Mini Blind
Custom Roman shades cost a fortune, but this $12 DIY Roman shade starts with a cheap mini blind and a yard or so of fabric. Cut the fabric with a 3 inch allowance on every side, fold and iron the edges and glue them down with fabric glue. Pull the cords, cut the ladder strings and remove all but three slats. Glue the top rail, three slats and bottom rail evenly across the back of the fabric, rethread the cord and hang it with the blind’s own hardware. No sewing skills needed, just careful measuring.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
4. Jeans Pocket Placemats
Don’t toss those old jeans! These no sew jeans pocket placemats turn worn denim into a set with real farmhouse charm. Cut each leg open along the outside seam, cut about 22 inches and trim it to a 14 by 19 inch rectangle. Cut out a back pocket, leaving a small border. Fold every edge of the rectangle under 1/4 inch, iron it and glue it with fabric glue, holding it with clips while it dries. Glue the pocket on and tuck a napkin and silverware inside. Non stretch denim works best.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
5. No-Sew DIY White Burlap Curtains
These no sew DIY white burlap curtains cost about $8 a panel and give an entry a soft, coastal feel. Each panel uses about 3.5 yards of white burlap. Fold a 5 inch hem at the top and a 4 inch hem at the bottom, then iron them in place with fusible hem tape. Leave the sides raw for a frayed look, or hem them about an inch if you’d rather. For the polka dots, coil twisted sisal rope into circles and glue them on. Hang the rods close to the ceiling to make the room feel taller.
Get the full tutorial at Four Generations One Roof.
6. DIY Burlap Utensil Holder
Dress up the Thanksgiving table in about 10 minutes with these DIY burlap utensil holders. Cut a piece of burlap 15 by 5 inches (it’s messy, so work over a tray). Tape a chevron stencil about 4 inches from the bottom and dab paint between the lines with a stencil brush instead of brushing. Fold the bottom 5 inches up and hot glue the sides to form a pocket. Glue twine or ribbon to the back, tie it in front and add a stamped tag. Guest names on the tags make cute place cards.
Get the full tutorial at I Heart Nap Time.
7. DIY No-Sew Rope Coil Basket
Rope baskets are usually made on a sewing machine, but this DIY no sew rope coil basket comes together with a hot glue gun. Use about 25 yards of 3/8 inch natural cotton piping from the fabric store and a bucket as your form. Coil and glue a flat base, then keep wrapping up the sides, gluing every inch or so and keeping glue off the front so it won’t yellow. Slide it off the bucket, finish the end and rivet on leather strap handles. It’s best for light things like yarn, blankets or stuffed animals.
Get the full tutorial at Alice and Lois.
8. No Sew Drop Cloth Curtains
Canvas drop cloths from the hardware store make soft, linen look curtains for about $11 a panel. Wash them on cold and dry on low first, because they shrink a little, then iron out the wrinkles. Use the width of your iron on hem tape as your hem width: fold, press and fuse the bottom and side hems. Leave the top hem for last so you can layer a contrasting band of toile across it before fusing. If you can iron, you can make these. A cheap rod finishes a craft room or office beautifully.
Get the full tutorial at Our Southern Home.
9. Easy No-Sew Felt Fruit Coasters
These easy no sew felt fruit coasters are almost too cute to put a glass on. All you need is stiff craft felt, sharp scissors and hot glue. For a lemon, glue a white circle onto a bigger yellow one and add little yellow triangles as segments. A watermelon stacks green, white and pink circles with tiny black seeds, and the apple uses a simple template plus a leaf and stem. Trace with tailor’s chalk for clean lines and use glue sparingly so nothing lumps. A full set takes under an hour.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
10. DIY Citrus Print Tea Towels
Plain white tea towels plus a lemon equals the cutest kitchen linens. Cut a lemon or orange in half, scoop out the pulp without breaking the membrane walls and pat it dry. Mix fabric paint with textile medium, then dab it onto the membranes and rind. Stamp rows across the towel, offsetting each row into the gaps of the one before. Change colors, and cut wedges for smaller prints. Let the paint dry completely before using. One set makes a lovely handmade gift, and it’s a fun summer project.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
11. No-Sew Drop Cloth Table Skirt
A floor length round tablecloth can be the easiest no sew project of all. Buy the largest canvas drop cloth you can find and wash it for that soft, linen like feel. Spread it out on the floor, lay an existing round tablecloth on top as a guide and cut one big circle right out of the middle. Then glue bullion fringe around the edge with a liquid fabric adhesive. The fringe is what makes it look expensive. Drape it over a round side table for a polished look in a foyer or bedroom.
Get the full tutorial at At the Picket Fence.
12. DIY No Sew Bench Cushion
Upholstering a bench sounds intimidating, but this DIY no sew bench cushion takes about 15 minutes. Cut a piece of plywood to the size of the bench seat, then layer foam on top with spray adhesive. Wrap a yard of batting and a yard of bright fabric over the foam and around to the back of the plywood, stapling as you go and pulling taut so the corners are smooth. Flip it over and set it on the bench. A bold print turns a plain entry or mudroom bench into a cheerful spot.
Get the full tutorial at Old House to New Home.
13. DIY Pillows Made With Glue
Can’t make friends with a sewing machine? These DIY pillows made with glue use a washable fabric glue instead. For a 20 inch envelope pillow, cut one 20 by 20 inch front and two 20 by 15 inch back panels; one yard of fabric makes two covers. Fold and glue a hem on one long edge of each back panel, then glue the back panels to the front, right sides together, overlapping in the middle. Let it dry, turn it right side out and slip in the insert. Each cover costs about $3.
Get the full tutorial at LiveLoveDIY.
14. DIY Fabric Floorcloth
Did you know you can make a floor mat out of fabric? This DIY fabric floorcloth starts with a rubber mat runner from the flooring aisle, cut to any shape you like with scissors, even an octagon. Iron your fabric and cut it 2 to 3 inches larger than the mat on every side. Spray adhesive onto the mat, smooth the fabric on top, then wrap the extra around to the back and secure it with duct tape. Seal the top with water based polyurethane so it wipes clean. Perfect for a kitchen or entry.
Get the full tutorial at I Am Momma, Hear Me Roar.
15. DIY Fall Wreath With Felt Leaves
This DIY fall wreath with felt leaves won’t shed, crack or crush in storage, so it comes back out looking fresh every September. Stack felt sheets in fall colors, trace a leaf about 2 1/2 inches long and cut through all the layers. Hot glue the leaves around an 11 inch wreath form, all pointing the same direction: orange first, light brown between them, then white, medium brown and dark brown to fill the gaps. Finish with tiny white pom poms. Hang it on the door straight through Thanksgiving.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
16. Easy No-Sew Watermelon Wreath
This easy no sew watermelon wreath is made entirely by tying knots. Cut crafting felt into 2 by 18 inch strips: hot pink for the fruit, plus dark and light green for the rind. Double knot the strips around a 16 inch foam wreath form, wiggling them in opposite directions for fuller coverage. Fill the bottom with two dark greens to every light green and the top with pink. Glue on black felt seeds at random and add a jute loop for hanging. It’s a whimsical summer welcome for the front door.
Get the full tutorial at Confessions of a Plate Addict.
17. Super Easy No-Sew Upholstered Box Spring
When a bed skirt won’t lie right over the side rails, a no sew upholstered box spring is the smarter fix. Take the mattress off and use the box spring as your work surface. Cut squares of fabric about 10 inches for each corner (measure, since corners vary), staple them to the underside and hot glue the tops down. Then wrap long panels around each side, staple underneath and glue the top edges so the raw corners are covered. Two yards covered a full size with fabric to spare.
Get the full tutorial at Rain on a Tin Roof.
18. Fabric DIY Wall Art
Fabric DIY wall art is one of the fastest ways to add color and pattern to a room. Lay an old canvas, a poster board or a dated framed print face down on your fabric. Cut the fabric 2 inches bigger on every side, then wrap it around to the back and staple it tight with 1/4 inch staples. That’s it! Sheets, towels and leftover curtain fabric all work. Hot glue a small wooden frame on top of one piece for a layered look, and hang a set together for a quick gallery wall.
Get the full tutorial at Four Generations One Roof.
19. No-Sew Office Chair Makeover
A comfy but boring office chair can get a whole new personality without any sewing. Unscrew the armrests and the seat so the chair comes apart. Lay about 2 yards of sturdy fabric, like cotton duck or even a tablecloth, on the floor and decide which way the pattern runs. Set the seat on the fabric, pull it tight around all sides and staple it to the wooden base, cutting small holes where the armrest screws go back in. Staple the back the same way and glue trim over any staples that show.
Get the full tutorial at She's Crafty.
20. No-Sew Decorative Bunting
This no sew decorative bunting needs no sewing and no glue. Cut a cardboard triangle template (about 6 by 7.5 inches is a nice large size) and trace it onto the back of several colorful fabrics. Cut the pennants out with pinking shears, which stop the edges from fraying without a hem. Punch an eyelet into each top corner with eyelet setting pliers, then thread the pennants onto 1/4 inch ric rac trim. Plan on five or six flags per yard. String it across a mantel or a shelf.
Get the full tutorial at Homemade Gifts Made Easy.
21. DIY Fall Garland With Felt Leaves
This DIY fall garland with felt leaves drapes beautifully over a mantel, a staircase or a doorway. Stack felt in orange, light brown, brown and white, trace a leaf template and cut through the layers. Add a dab of hot glue to the base of each leaf and pinch it into a 3D shape. Glue the leaves along a 5 mm jute rope, alternating sides and repeating a set color order, all pointing one way. Wrap the rope ends in felt and finish with tiny white pom poms. It’s an easy afternoon craft.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
22. No-Sew Footstool
Build a no sew footstool in under an hour for about $35. Cut a 12 by 15 inch base from 3/4 inch plywood (a precut project panel fits it) and sand the corners round so they won’t snag. Screw angled top plates near each corner and twist in four 12 inch tapered legs. Stack 4 inches of foam on top, wrap it in batting and a yard of bold fabric, pull everything taut and staple it underneath. Add a scrap of fabric as a dust cover on the bottom for a tidy finish.
Get the full tutorial at Build Basic.
23. DIY Fabric Tape Pumpkins
Faded faux pumpkins? Don’t throw them away! DIY fabric tape pumpkins give them a fresh look with nothing but fabric scraps and double sided tape. Pick fall toned quilting cottons in small prints, like gingham and tiny dots. Lay the fabric right side down, cover the back with double sided tape and cut it into strips. Pull the stem off a ribbed pumpkin, peel the backing and lay each strip along a rib so the edges hide in the grooves. Pop the stem back on. Small pumpkins are the easiest.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
24. Easy No-Sew DIY Denim Owl
Don’t toss those old jeans just yet! This easy no sew DIY denim owl is a cute shelf sitter made from a single jean leg. Cut the leg off, hot glue the wide bottom end closed and fill it with rice or beans for weight, or polyfill for a softer owl. Leave room at the top, then tie it off tight with twine to make the ears. Layer felt circles for big eyes, then glue on a felt belly, wings and a folded orange beak. Mix denim washes so the features pop. Make a whole family of them.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
25. Super Easy DIY Mini Teepee
These super easy DIY mini teepees are made from kebab skewers, scrap fabric and twine. Snip the points off three skewers, hold them together at the top and tie a knot where they meet, then wrap the twine around and around until the frame feels sturdy. Cut scrap fabric into a rough trapezoid, fold the top edge down, wrap it around the frame and tie it on with twine, then tuck or trim any unruly edges. They’re cute as table decor at a birthday party, on a nursery shelf or in a dollhouse. Make a few in different prints.
Get the full tutorial at Good Morning Loretta.
26. No-Sew Fabric Fireworks
These no sew fabric fireworks are a fun way to recycle paper tubes into patriotic decor. Cut toilet paper or paper towel tubes into three heights, such as 3.5, 4.5 and 6 inches. For each fuse, knot a 3 inch piece of jute twine, thread it through a slit in a 2 inch fabric square and tape the square over the top of the tube. Wrap the tube in a strip of red, white or blue fabric, bandana or denim and hot glue the seam. Tie a group together with twine and set them on a mantel or table.
Get the full tutorial at Craft Create Cook.
27. DIY Lampshade Using Sweater
Got a plain white lampshade? This DIY lampshade using a sweater turns it cozy in less than 20 minutes. Thrift a knit sweater (a fun pattern or pompoms work great), wash it and pull it down over the shade like a pillowcase, with the waistband even at the bottom edge. Trim the extra at the top, leaving about an inch, and secure it around the top ring with a few dots of hot glue. If the sweater is roomy, cut it up the back, pull it snug and glue the seam. Instant winter coziness.
Get the full tutorial at Beth Bryan.
28. Fabric Covered Initial
A fabric covered initial is a 10 minute fix for a monogram letter that’s looking dark or dated. Start with a craft store wood or papier mache letter and paint it white first so the old color won’t show through. Trace the letter onto the back of your fabric, cut it out and brush Mod Podge over the letter. Lay the fabric on, smooth it down and brush another coat over the top to keep the edges from fraying. Leftover curtain fabric ties it right into the room. Set it on a shelf or mantel.
Get the full tutorial at Wildfire Interiors.
29. DIY Fabric Garland
This DIY fabric garland costs nothing if you’ve got a scrap bin. Cut fabric into strips about 12 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide with pinking shears, letting some run longer or shorter. Tie them onto about 6 feet of twine every 6 inches or so, eyeballing the spacing. Fill the gaps with scrap ribbon tied on until it looks full and festive. Hang it on the mantel and shuffle a few strips so the colors spread evenly. Make one for a baby shower, then a burlap version for fall.
Get the full tutorial at Southern State of Mind.
30. Easy No-Sew Valance
An easy no sew valance only needs fabric, a hot glue gun and a rod. Measure the window and cut the fabric 8 inches wider for a pretty center fold (4 inches wider for a plain valance) and 2 inches longer than the drop you want. Run a bead of hot glue down each short side, fold an inch over, then glue and fold again for a clean double edge. Hem the top and bottom the same way, leaving the top open as a rod pocket. Slide it onto the rod and pinch a fold in the middle.
Get the full tutorial at Mom 4 Real.
