Whether you’re looking for gifts to sew or small quilting projects to make just for fun, this amazing list of free projects is sure to inspire you!
Sometimes you just need a quick win. Am I right or am I right? Whether you’re a quilter like us or a garment sewist – there are times when you just don’t have the time for BIG projects.
Perhaps you need some gifts to sew or just want to have some sewing fun. Whichever it is, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of small quilting projects and sewing projects you can whip up in a couple of hours.
Great for gifts for your loved ones – or yourself! And best of all – pretty much all of these projects are free.
Let’s get right into it!
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Table of Contents
- Quilted Pillows
- Wall Art
- Yoyo quilts
- Quilt Block Upcycled Clothes
- Potholders, Oven Mitts, and Tea Towels
- Table runners
- Small Quilting Projects For the Sewing Room
- Placemats, Coasters, and Mug Rugs
- Bags Quilting Projects
- Pencil Cases and Pouches
- Small Quilting Projects for Christmas
Quilted Pillows
There’s no better way to quickly scratch the quilt-making itch than to make a quilted pillow.
No Zipper Quilted Pillow Tutorial by Designed to Quilt
We have a tutorial that will show you step by step how to make a no-zipper pillow case with pretty much any quilt top design.
Pillow Cover with Zipper by Sew Can She
If you prefer a zippered pillow case, follow Caroline’s tutorial.
If you like rainbows you will love the Iris pillow!
Moroccan Tile Inspired Patchwork Pillow Pattern
This pattern is so simple, yet so eye-catching. Get the tutorial and make one yourself.
Hexie Romance Pillow by AGF Studio (made by Nuria Elkins)
Have some hexie fun with this beautiful quilted pillow.
Make this beautiful memoir quilted pillow.
Wall Art
Quilted wall hangings are such a fun way to add some quilty texture to your home making them perfect small quilting projects. And the options here are endless. You can use pretty much any mini quilt top pattern – and then follow our quilted wall hanging tutorial to see how to hang it.
Rainbow Quilted Wall Hanging by Designed to Quilt
We love rainbows here at DTQ and this is one of my favorite small quilting projects we made. The tutorial shows you how to make the mini quilt and how to add hanging sleeves.
Scrappy Kites Mini Quilt by Bonjour Quilts
I love the minimalistic look of these scrappy kites. Would make a great modern wall hanging.
Sweet Peach Wall Art by AGF Studio
If you want to tackle some curves, try this beautiful wall hanging project.
Florets Wall Art by AGF Studio
Try a different kind of project with this applique florets wall art. So beautiful!
Yoyo quilts
I know the techniques used to make yoyo quilts aren’t really quilting, but they are quilts, after all. So I’m still counting them as small quilting projects.
Yoyo Quilts by Designed to Quilt
We have a step-by-step tutorial that will show you exactly how to make these cute little yoyos. There’s also some great ideas on how to use them – some surprising ones, too!
Quilt Block Upcycled Clothes
Old or thrift store clothing items upcycled with a fun quilt block are such satisfying small quilting projects. If you have an old sweatshirt that’s been sitting in your closet for a while, give this a go!
Log Cabin Sweatshirt by Designed to Quilt
I used an old sweatshirt that I got when I was pregnant and then kind of stopped loving the print on it. It’s the perfect baggy fit to wear around the studio and I’ve been wearing it non stop since I made it!
Quilted Back Denim Jacket by Sarah Hearts
Sarah found this amazing 80s denim jacket in a thrift store and decided to add a vintage quilt block to the back. She explains how she did it in her tutorial step by step!
Small Quilting Projects & gifts to Sew For Babies and Toddlers
If you’re looking for gifts to sew for a newborn or a toddler in your life, there are so many fun small quilting projects you can try. Here are some of our favorites.
Quilt as You Go Baby Bib by Polkadot Chair
Use your favorite fabric scraps to create these adorable quilt-as-you-go baby bibs!
Baby Bib and Burp Cloth Set by Sew Can She
Both bibs and burp cloths are such great gifts to sew for babies and their parents. Why not make a set?
Mini Quilt Doll Blanket by Polkadot Chair
I love the idea of a mini quilt as a doll blanket. In fact, these mini blankets would also make great small quilting projects for (older) kids to make as they learn to sew. The options here are endless and Melissa from Polkadot Chair shares some amazing ideas on her site.
Prairie Points Pals by Sharon Holland for AGF
Which kiddo wouldn’t love these adorable quilted pillows? They are beyond cute!
Happy Cloud Mobile by AGF Studio
I love small quilting projects that use up scraps left over from making quilts. This is also a great idea for gifts to sew for a new baby!
Potholders, Oven Mitts, and Tea Towels
There are so many great small quilting projects you can make for the kitchen. The great thing about them is they’re not just pretty but also really functional. Many of these also make great hostess gifts to sew!
Scrappy Quilted Potholders by Simple Simon and Co
Potholders are such great small quilting projects and these scrappy potholders are the perfect quick make.
Potholder Patchwork by Stitched in Color
More lovely potholders to make. No rules, just patchwork fun!
Quilt Block Tea Towel by Simple Simon and Co
If you’ve got a whole bunch of gifts to sew and not a lot of time, these quilt block tea towels are a great idea!
Quilted Oven Mitts by Sew Can She
Make these practical oven mitts. I love the quilting on the red one, it’s just gorgeous.
Mini Oven Mitts by Sew Can She
And in case you wanted smaller oven mitts, Caroline from Sew Can She has a pattern for those, too! They’re adorable.
Table runners
Table runners fall into the quick but satisfying small quilting projects category. You can whip something up using leftover quilt blocks or follow one of the tutorials below.
The Fastest Quilted Table Runner Pattern Ever by Designed to Quilt
If you’re looking for a reall yquick make, you’ll love this super fast wholecloth table runner tutorial.
Peaks and Valleys Table Runner by Happy Quilting Mellisa
Here’s another fun table runner pattern using half-square triangles to make these minimalist peaks and valleys.
Fat Quarter Table Runner Tutorial by Polka Dot Chair
Make a simple table runner using fat quarters.
Small Quilting Projects For the Sewing Room
There are so many fun things you can sew up for the sewing room – either for yourself or as a gift for your sewing bestie!
You can never have too many of these small baskets for all those little things lying around in your sewing room or home. So practical – and pretty!
Quilted Wrist Pincushion by AGF Studio
Follow this video tutorial to make a super useful wrist pin cushion.
I love these quilted mending kits. Fill them with some of your favorite notions and these make amazing gifts to sew for fellow sewing enthusiasts.
Placemats, Coasters, and Mug Rugs
If you’re looking for easy small quilting projects, placemats and coasters are a great choice!
Cozy Cup Mug Rug Pattern by Polkadot Chair
These coffee mug rugs make great gifts to sew for coffee lovers. And they’re super fun to make!
Heart Mug Rugs by Amy Ball for Polkadot Chair
If you’re looking for Valentine’s gifts to sew or just want to add a sweet touch to your home, this patchwork mug right pattern is a great choice!
Picnic Quilted Placemats by Polkadot Chair
Who wouldn’t love to have a picnic with these cute quilted placemats?
Valentine Heart Coaster Tutorial by Sarah Ashford by Polkadot Chair
Hearts are just perfect for small quilting projects and these cute coasters make the perfect gifts to sew for your favorite people.
Doublet Placemats by AGF Studio
These placemats remind me of piano keys and I just love the black and white combo.
Reverie Coasters by AGF Studio
Spruce up your table with some fun quilted coasters!
Apple Coasters by Sharon Holland (made by AGF Studio)
How fun are these cute apple coasters? Perfect for the apple picking season!
Bags Quilting Projects
There are all sorts of bags and totes you can sew. Choose your favorite from our list below!
HST Tote Bag by Designed to Quilt
This is a quilted bag that we make with our students at our live beginner quilt workshops. It’s a simple design using half-square triangles and the perfect beginner project!
Patchwork Drawstring Bag by Sarah Ashford for Polkadot Chair
Make a fun patchwork drawstring bag using pre-cut squares or fabric scraps.
Update your laptop with this gorgeous flying geese laptop sleeve.
Rolltop Mini Backpack by Vicky Meyers Creations (made by Sharon Holland for AGF)
If you’re up for a challenge, try making a quilted backpack. This one is an eye-catcher!
This truly is a dreamy clutch, especially in this monochromatic color palette.
Pencil Cases and Pouches
If you don’t feel like making a large bag or tote, make a smaller pencil case or pouch!
Quilted Pencil Case by Designed to Quilt
I made this pencil case with my 7-year old daughter. We both love how it turned out and she uses it all the time! To make your own, follow our quilted pencil case tutorial.
Nantucket Mini-Charm Bag by Camille Roskelley for Moda
An adorable project using mini charm squares.
Patchwork Pencil Case by Sarah Ashford for Polkadot Chair
Use up some scraps to make a patchwork pencil case.
Polaroid Quilt Block Pouch by Polkadot Chair
Make a cute Polaroid block pencil case for the photography lover in your life!
Quilted Zipper Pouch by Simon and Co
I love the matchstick quilting on this simple but elegant zipper pouch. Beautiful!
The Colors of Moda Zippered Pouch by Moda Fabrics
Make a beautiful HST creation with this colorful pouch.
Follow this video tutorial to make a fun quilted cellphone pouch.
Scribble Scrabble Pencil Pouch
How cute are these pencil pouches? If you’re looking for gifts to sew for your kids’ teachers, this could be perfect!
Small Quilting Projects for Christmas
I don’t know about you but the holiday season always makes me want to sew something. But chances are, making a quilt is our of the question. That’s why I love small quilting projects for Christmas!
Wholecloth Quilted Stockings by Designed to Quilt
We had so much fun making these quilted Christmas stockings. And because they’re wholecloth you can make them really quickly yourself!
Quilted Tree Skirt by Designed to Quilt
I love the quilted tree skirt I made using our Gift Wrap Tree Skirt pattern. Our tutorial will show you step by step how to create a quiled tree skirt (even if you don’t follow our pattern for the quilt top).
Quilted Christmas Table Runner by Designed to Quilt
We had so much fun making the Gift Wrap quilt and quilted tree skirt we decided to create a holiday table runner using similar wonky gift blocks.
Christmas Quilted Pillow by Amy Ball for Polkadot Chair
Make an adorable quilted pillow with this fun reindeer block!
Quilted Mini Christmas Stocking Pattern by Polkadot Chair
How cute are these mini quilted stockings? Adorable! And they’re perfect to use up leftover quilted scraps from other projects!
Quilted Christmas Stockings by Sew Can She
This is another great Christmas stocking idea. It uses some fun techniques, so you might learn something new for this project!
Quilted Santa Hat by Polkadot Chair
A quilted Santa hat? Need I say more? This is so cute!
Vintage Tree Skirt by Sarah Hearts
I know a tree skirt is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when talking about small quilting projects. But this one actually comes together pretty quickly because it uses an old quilt which means you don’t have to do the actual piecing and quilting. Add a fun binding and you’re good to go!
Improv Pieced Patchwork Heart Ornaments by Julia Fraizer for Polkadot Chair
Use up some scraps to make these sweet heart ornaments. These would work as cute Valentine’s gifts to sew as well!
Christmas Ornaments by Amy Ball for Polkadot Chair
If you’ve got little people in your house and can’t afford to have glass ornaments – these are just as (if not more) beautiful. I love!
These are some of our favorite small quilting projects and we hope you’ve found something you want to make yourself! Whether it’s for gifts to sew or just for fun, these projects are bound to scratch the sewing itch!
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