I originally wrote this to support Bay Area Modern‘s various swaps and activities. Once their new website was live, the blog was discontinued. I think this is a useful post (and not just because I wrote it!), so I decided to rewrite it, update it and post it here.
Please note:
- I haven’t tried all of these patterns
- I use affiliate links to support this blog. Please see the full notice at the bottom of the page
- Some patterns have a cost
- Generally, I have just made lists of ideas. Where I know about a pattern or specific tutorial or project, I have noted it.
- Links break. I do check them, but you might need to search. Fortunately, there are usually multiple patterns or tutorials for the same item (or type of item)
Apron
- Flapper Apron by Decades of Style. I have made a number of these aprons. With a few adjustments they come out really well.
- Sew4Home’s Festive Half Apron with Extra Large Pockets tutorial
- Sewing pattern companies such as McCall’s, Simplicity and Vogue all have apron patterns. The packets often include multiple styles.
Backpack
Bath bombs tutorial
Bionic Gear Bag
Board/ruler bag
Boxy bag
- Snappy boxy pouch tutorial from Clover & Violet
Bunting
Camera case wristlet – pattern
Camera pouch – pattern
Camera strap – tutorial by ikatbags.com
Catch All Caddy by ByAnnie
Car trash bag – pattern
Car ditty bag – tutorial
Cargo Duffel 2 – Noodlehead revised tutorial on the Robert Kaufman site
Casserole carrier- Sew Sweetness pattern
Cell phone sling
Changing pad – pattern (make sure your giftee has a baby!) Might be useful to look at my vinyl tips and tricks page.
Checkbook cover tutorial from SewVery
Clipboard (fabric covered) – tutorial from SewVery
Clutch bag – pattern from Clover & Violet
Coasters
Coin purse
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- tutorial from Clover & Violet
Cold pack tutorial from SewVery
Composition book cover tutorial from Hip to Be a Square
Craft organizer tutorial
Cup holder/ coffee cozy
Cushions / Throw pillows
EPP Travel Kit
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- The Zen of Making pattern and tutorial. Make sure you look at the link for the optional pin cushion and other tutorials on EPP.
eReader /Tablet bags and cozies
Eye pillow / Eye mask
Fabric basket (One Hour Basket)
Fabric boxes
Floor pillow – tutorial from SewVery
Garment bag tutorial from Sew4Home
Gift card holder -Little Wallet pattern from Valori Wells
Glasses case
Grocery bag
Hanging toiletry Basket (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Happy Birthday banner
Heating pad/ rice pack
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- tutorial from SewVery
- Rice pack tutorial from Just Another Hangup
Holiday banner
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- Charm square bunting tutorial from Hip to Be a Square
Idea pouch (pattern by Michelle Patterns) – holds notebooks, pens, pencils, etc
Iron Caddy
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- pattern by Sisters Common Threads – this one is usually sold with Insulbrite
- free version from the Tri County Quilters.
Ironing Board Thread Catcher + Tool Caddy tutorial
Jewelry
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- Starburst wrapper bracelet pattern
Jewelry roll
Journal cover
Keychain
Lanyard (tutorial)
Light switch plates (covered) – tutorial from Craft Buds
Luggage tag tutorial from Clover & Violet
Manicure roll-up bag tutorial from Hip to Be a Square
Mask
Mini ironing table (pattern/tutorial)
Mini quilt / wall hanging
Mug rug
Name tag
Napkins
Needle safe
One Hour Basket (One Hour Basket pattern)
Pattern weights (tutorial/pattern)
Pencil case
Pencil roll (The Pink Chalk version is an excellent pattern)
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- MyPoppet 10 Minute Pencil Roll pattern using a serger/overlock stitch
- SewCanShe pencil roll pattern – you don’t have to use burlap
- SewScrumptious felt tip pattern
Pencil pouch – tutorial from Craft Buds
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- 6 free pencil case patterns
- Binder pencil case / travel pouch pattern – $4.99 on Craftsy
- Shark pencil case pattern – free from Craftsy
- Standup pen pouch tutorial
Pillowcase
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- Artquiltmaker Guide to the burrito style pillowcase pattern
- Clover & Violet French Seam pillowcase pattern
- Reversible pillowcases pattern
- Romantic Floral pillowcase with decorative cuffs tutorial from Sew4Home
Phone sleeve
- Sew With Me Saturday cell phone pattern & tutorial – shows how to measure your phone so you can make it the right size
Pincushion
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- Armchair pincushion and sewing pocket pattern
- Pyramid chicken pincushion
- Thread catcher/pin cushion – tutorial
Placemats
- Hip to be a Square’s quilted picnic placemats tutorial
- Check out the Make It, Take It book
- Outdoor mini placemat pockets pattern
- SewVery’s reversible placemat tutorial
Potholders
Project bag
- Betsy Makes Project bag with zippers tutorial
Purse
Purse organizer
Remote control organizer
Sash with Beaded Fringe (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Scissor Sheath (tutorial)
Sew Together Bag pattern
Sewing machine cover
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- tutorial by Debbie Shore
- reversible – tutorial
- Undercover Maker Mat by Lillyellasworld – cover and mat
- List of mats and covers
Sewing Organizer Bag – handwork tutorial
Sketchbook cover tutorial
Sleeping mask (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Softies
Stitching folder
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- AllPeopleQuilt.com Sew Perfect project by Linda Lum DeBono (you may have to sign up for an account or newsletter to get this project)
Table runner
Tablet cover/stand
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- Inspired Wren tablet cover stand
Tea cozy
Tissue box cover tutorial from Craft Buds (you might want to include a box of tissues so the giftee knows the size)
Tissue holder
Tote bag
Wallet
Water bottle strap
Wrist pin cushion
Zipper bag
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- Zipper pocket tutorial pattern
Zipper pouch
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- Triple zip pouch (tutorial
There are numerous other resources with multiple projects, including:
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- One Yard Wonder book
- Apple Green Cottage free tutorials
- Flamingo Toes blog
- 50 ideas on Tipnut
- Clover & Violet has a long list of free patterns with appealing pictures
- In Stitches (book) by Amy Butler
- Lindsay Sews Tutorials & Projects
- Michelle Patterns clutches and purse patterns
**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
Wow! this list is a KEEPER! Thank you so much!