small sewing project ideas

[buffalogal]

hi Ladies!

my mom has been after me to take my grandmothers sewing machine, so i figured out a space i can put it, and my aunt will service it to make sure it is in good working condition. so now i'm getting a little excited about it, but i'm at a loss as to what to sew. looking for some ideas on some small projects to start. i have some basic sewing experience and i can always ask my aunt for help.

i have a DS so don't need doll clothes, and i have table runners for every season/holiday (compliments of my aunt) the only thing i can think of, off the top of my head are catnip toys for my cats lol!

TIA

[tacokick]

Make up bags? Library book bag? They can be good ways to practice seams, buttons, lining, zippers etc

[oregonpachey]

Some of my first projects consisted of:

-Makeup bags
-PJ pants
-Skirts for me with an easy elastic waistband
-Throw pillows
-Simple curtains

[Michelle]

throw pillow covers!

I have some throw pillows for the bench by our front door and I like to change the covers for seasonal decorations, keeping the original neutral without holiday covers the rest of the time. Storing a bunch of seasonal throw pillow covers takes up a lot less space than the pillows themselves.

[cmeon]

How old is your DS? I've made tons and tons of pillowcases for my DS10 and DD8- they love having a new one themed to the season/holiday/events, and they're super quick and easy projects.

Shorts and PJ pants are easy gender neutral clothing, lots of easy baby toys, pouches and baskets and boxes are all pretty tame and help keep kid clutter down. Fabric bookmarks are fun and easy (and you cannot possibly have enough if you have a reader). Fabric napkins for school lunches can be fun. Marble mazes and quiet books are great if you still have/know any little guys.

Have fun learning- it's a great skill!

ETA: And bean bags! That was a fun, easy one- my kids helped sew them. DD was 4, DS was 6.

[buffalogal]

DS is 8 for those that asked.
I do like the pillow case idea, I have some seasonal ones I swap out, but would like more. I find I don’t buy them b/c they seem like a silly thing to spend $$ on.
Thanks for the ideas!

[shortcake2675]

Some of my first sewing projects were name banners, purses and bags, and dolls. The dolls were kind of ambitious, but they taught me a lot in a short span of time.

Glad you have your aunt to get it serviced and help you get started! Have fun. My husband suggested a sewing machine for my birthday after my daughter was born. He expected me to sew cloth diapers. I sewed several, then decided I hated sewing diapers and just purchased cloth diapers. Since then I have moved onto things that are way more fun.

[aprilsails]

Christmas stockings! I’ve made a matching set for my family. They can be fast (or slow). There are lots of tutorials online.

[winecat]

Hot pads, oven mitts, dog leashes. You can donate the dog leashes if you don't have a dog.

[dragon's breath]

Things I started with...

Pillowcases, pj pants, bathrobe (for my son, who is well over 6' tall), tote bags. Once I got a little more comfortable with my machine I started making potholders, skillet potholders, a long sleeve shirt for myself, coin purse and small purse with zippers, grocery bags, blankets etc.

I finally got a machine when I decided I wanted to learn to machine piece and quilt, since it would be faster than hand quilting (which I still do as well).

[mrspez07]

This thread re-motivated me do some new throwpillow covers and I’m going to make some bookmarks for the boys for Christmas, so thanks!
This is a super easy way to do pocket pillow cases, and they look great.
thehappyhousie.porch.com/super-crazy-easy-fast-ten-minute-one-piece-envelope-pillows/