34 Quick DIY Gifts To Sew For Friends and Family

Published Oct 24, 2019 By Diane

Looking for some cool and creative DIY gifts you can sew for friends and family? If you love to make sewing projects as presents, then you have to check out these 34 awesome ideas with step by step tutorials for sewing the most awesome gifts ever. Quick projects that will not take days, most of these can be made in a few hours. From bags to iPhone cases to creative home decors like napkins and dish towels, these make creative hostess gifts, fun ideas for friends and some of the best Christmas gifts ever. Please read on to hear our many real-life stories of how these simple DIY crafts saved the day, changed lives, taught children self-reliance, and most of all make people happy. Like my lovely friend who finally bought her own home, she had been living with her family, who she really loves, but it was a big step that she needed to finally take. Its a little Victorian style cabin by Lake Buchanan and she’s doing her kitchen in a farmhouse country theme, shes even got a 1950s O’Keef and Merrit Gas range in pale yellow. I am so happy for her and so thrilled at her bravery to finally strike out on her own, I knew I had to make something extra special for the wonderful new kitchen. I decided on the handmade citrus themed dish towel, so they could be draped along the handles of that beautiful range. She cried when I gave them to her, she’s so happy about her new place in the Sun. All these stories and more are included below, please read on.

Quick DIY Gift Ideas To Sew

1. Citrus Wedge Pouch

liberty

My daughter needed a new makeup bag, so I thought I would give her something crafted from my heart. She loves sewing but had kind of got a little disinterested in it. I made this gift as a surprise out of some old scraps I had left over from fabric had bought from Liberty in London, not the kind of fabric you want to waste one thread of so it worked beautifully. She was so excited, we are making a holiday party dress for the Christmas dance. So glad we will get to experience that together. This project requires a simple zipper installation, so an intermediate level of skill is needed.

2. Mini Messenger Bag

crazylittleprojects

My daughter went off to college this semester and needed a new messenger bag for basic classroom supplies. A hand sewn messenger bag is a great DIY gift idea for the student in your family. I used an 80s retro printed cotton and some leftover polka dot fabric I had from making a tablecloth last Summer. I followed this very simple tutorial and it only took about an hour to complete.

3. Citrus Embroidered Dishtowel

flamingotoes

My best friend finally was able to buy her very own house. She had been living with her family, who she really loves, but it was a big step that she needed to finally take. Its a little Victorian style cabin by Lake Buchanan and she’s doing her kitchen in a farmhouse country theme, shes even got a 1950s O’Keef and Merrit Gas range in pale yellow. I am so happy for her and so thrilled at her bravery to finally strike out on her own, I knew I had to make something extra special for the wonderful new kitchen. I decided on the handmade citrus themed dish towel, so they could be draped along the handles of that beautiful range. She cried when I gave them to her, she’s so happy about her new place in the Sun.

4. Strawberry Pincushion

downgrapevinelane

My best friend just bought a vintage sewing machine and I wanted to give her something really special and from the heart this Christmas that reflected all the things she taught me about sewing. I found this pattern for strawberry pin cushions on Pinterest and just loved it, we all have the little tomatoes, so I gave it a go. My friend adored it so much she immediately went to the sewing room and we made 5 more for Christmas gifts for her cousins who came over out of the blue. 😉

5. Rainbow Zipper Pouch

scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom

This is the greatest project for teens to make for their friends. Recently my daughter had a slumber party and I had a whole drawer full of zippers I purchased from the Singer Sewing Center when they closed down. So we had an idea to sew them all together and make small makeup pouches. The girls loved it and the labor time is about one-half hour, so it did not take up their entire evening.

6. Splash Proof Phone Case

polkadotchair

This clear plastic zipper pouch is so cute and functional, we just can’t have enough of it in our lives. You can use them for change, makeup, jewelry, keys, a phone, or even love letters from my honey, but they make an excellent place to keep your phone while you around water. They are so simple to sew, this one involves a zipper and requires an intermediate level of sewing skill. Once you get this one down though, you can pump them out all day long and they make great gifts for everyone. A cute but easy DIY sewing gift you can give to almost anyone. Perfect for a Christmas gift idea, but great for year round gift giving.

7. Simple And Sweet Fabric Basket

flamingotoes

This cloth basket is such a cute DIY Christmas gift. They are simple to make and they are perfect to store just about anything, hair tools to kitchen items. I made about 6 of these simple DIY crafts for my kid’s teachers and they used them on the spot, thanking me for giving them the opportunity to get organized. If you love to sew, this cute sewing project needs to be on your DIY Christmas gifts list. Free step by step tutorial shows you exactly how to make these cute homemade fabric baskets.

8. Cute Oven Mitts

pattydoo

My best friend finally was able to buy her very own house. She had been living with her family, who she really loves, but it was a big step that she needed to finally take. Its a little Victorian style cabin by Lake Buchanan and she’s doing her kitchen in a farmhouse country theme, shes even got a 1950s O’Keef and Merrit Gas range. I am so happy for her and so thrilled at her bravery to finally strike out on her own, I knew I had to make something extra special for the wonderful new kitchen. I decided on the handmade oven mitt pot holders, so they could be draped along the handles of that beautiful range. She cried when I gave them to her, she’s so happy about her new place in the Sun.

9. Vintage Sheet Robe

mellysews

I love the old world romance of a kimono and they go with everything and are practically one size fits all. I was really feeling sorry for my Mom and Sister running around the house in worn-out hose coats. They were in much need of an upgrade and no better, or a more subtle way of facilitating this upgrade than through giving a gift. A DIY sewing craft made with personal care from their loving Daughter and Sister. On Christmas morning they threw off those old rag dressing gowns and wore them all morning. That afternoon they wore them over jeans which made them look like 1970s Fleetwood Mac rockstars. If you have a fashion diva on your gift giving list this Christmas or you need a special birthday gift idea to sew, try making this cool kimono top. Complete with step by step tutorial, you get what you see.

10. Gathered Zipper Pouches Project

ctpub

My daughter needed a new makeup bag and I saw this lovely gathered, padded bag on Pinterest with a super easy tutorial. These gathered zipper pouches are a simple set that has an easy process of adding the zippers. The gathers not only add beauty to the pattern but they are practical by giving the pouch more storage room. With a few of these pouches inside your purse, you’ll have an organized and convenient carry-around companion! You can also add a loop as a handle for easier carrying. My daughter loved her gift, it will not disappoint on any occasion.