Christmas sewing projects: 60 ideas by type, time and skill level

The easiest Christmas sewing projects are small gifts and decorations that take an hour or less: 30 of the 60 ideas below are listed at 60 minutes or less in the Sewzy app, and 37 are beginner level. The quickest are a 10 minute elastic bookmark, a 15 minute scrunchie and a 20 minute baby bib. The longest are 5 hour makes such as the advent calendar and the porch goose Santa.

Each idea has its time, its level and a link to the pattern page or our guide. They are grouped by type: decorations, gifts for adults, kids and babies, kitchen and hostess gifts, pets, porch goose outfits, last-minute makes and projects to sell. Times are the app's estimate for one finished item, so add time for printing, taping and cutting. For the full range, see all Christmas sewing patterns.

TL;DR

• There are 60 ideas in six groups: 7 decorations, 14 gifts for adults, 16 for kids and babies, 6 kitchen and hostess gifts, 5 for pets and 12 porch goose outfits.
• Ten ideas take 30 minutes or less: the bookmark (10), scrunchie (15), baby bib (20), and the ornaments, eye pillow, sleep mask, drawstring bag, puffy wand trio, collar bandana and dog treat pouch (30 each).
• Ten ideas use free patterns: Scrunchie, Baby Bib, Drawstring Bag, Envelope Cushion, Zipper Pouch, Bowl Cozy, Sleep Shorts, Boxed Tote Bag, Potholder and Slouchy Hobo Bag. See all the free sewing patterns.
• A Christmas stocking is not a Sewzy pattern. Our stocking guide gives a free draw-it-yourself template.
• Kitchen gifts need 100 percent cotton fabric, batting and thread, because polyester can melt. Never put a heat rating on a tag.
• Count back from December 25. Eight weeks at 2 hours a week gives 16 hours, enough for an advent calendar, a memory bear, two potholders and four zipper pouches. With one week left, stick to 15 to 30 minute makes.

Easy Christmas sewing projects at a glance, quickest first

Use this table to match a project to the hours you have. The ten Christmas porch goose outfits share one row here, and each has its own entry further down.

Which Christmas decorations can I sew?

Seven decorations cover the tree, the mantel, the wall and the table. Ornaments and cone trees use the same festive prints, so cut them together.

• Christmas Ornaments: 30 min, beginner, Premium. Stuffed ornaments with a hanging loop, in Mini (3 in) and Classic (4½ in). Cut every shape first and chain-sew a dozen in one evening; the steps are in our fabric ornaments and advent calendar tutorial.
• Cone Christmas Trees: 60 min, beginner, Premium. Weighted standing trees in Small (8 in), Medium (14 in) and Large (20 in); a set of three looks good on a mantel. See how to sew fabric cone Christmas trees.
• Quilted Bow: 60 min, beginner, Premium. A puffy channel-quilted bow for gift toppers, wreaths or hair clips, in Mini (about 5 in wide), Medium (about 9 in) and Large (about 14 in). Christmas plaids and metallic quilting cottons both work.
• Advent Calendar: 300 min (5 hours), intermediate, Premium. A 36 inch wall hanging with a quilted panel, numbers and pockets you fill day by day. Finish it before Advent starts on December 1.
• Christmas Stocking: about 90 min for a first one, free template, level not rated. This is a draw-it-yourself template in our guide, not a Sewzy pattern: an 18 inch lined stocking with a cuff band and a hanging loop, with yardage for one or four.
• Envelope Cushion: 40 min, beginner, Free. A cushion cover with an overlapping back and no zipper, in 16, 18, 20 and 24 inch sizes. Sew one in a plaid and it works as a decoration and as a gift; see how to sew an envelope pillow cover.
• Quilted Placemat: 120 min, beginner, Premium. A quilted, bound placemat in Rectangle and Oval shapes, both listed at 18 in. A set of four in one holiday print dresses the table.

What are good DIY Christmas gifts to sew for adults?

These fourteen gifts range from stocking fillers to keepsakes. Match the time to the person: a bookmark for a coworker, a tote for a sister, a memory bear for someone who will treasure it.

Stocking fillers and small gifts

• Elastic Bookmark: 10 min, beginner, Premium. A bookmark with a front pocket and an elastic band, in Paperback (3½ x 5 in) and Hardcover (4 x 6 in). It is the shortest project in the catalog.
• Scrunchie: 15 min, beginner, Free. One 5 x 23 inch strip and 8 inches of ¼ inch elastic make a Regular scrunchie; sew three prints for a set. Steps: how to sew a scrunchie.
• Eye Pillow: 30 min, beginner, Premium. An envelope cover over an inner bag, filled with flax seed or rice and, if you like, dried lavender or chamomile. One fat quarter of each fabric makes two pillows in any of the three sizes.
• Sleep Mask: 30 min, beginner, Premium. A curved mask in silk, satin or cotton with a soft elastic strap, in Child, Adult and Adult Large head sizes. A fat quarter makes the outer and lining.
• Needle Book: 45 min, beginner, Premium. A felt-paged needle book that closes with a button, in Small, Medium and Large. One fat eighth each of outer and lining makes 3 Small, 2 Medium or 1 Large, so it suits anyone who sews.
• Zipper Pouch: 45 min, beginner, Free. Small (7 x 5 in), Medium (9 x 6½ in) and Large (11 x 8 in), for makeup, pencils or cables. How to sew a zipper pouch walks through the zipper.

Bags

• Boxed Tote Bag: 90 min, beginner, Free. A lined tote with boxed corners, in Regular (15 x 16 in) and Large (18 x 18 in). See how to sew a tote bag with boxed corners.
• Crescent Sling Bag: 120 min, intermediate, Premium. A zippered crossbody for phone and keys, in Mini (10 x 6 x 1¾ in), Everyday (13 x 7¼ x 2¼ in) and Large (16 x 8¾ x 3 in). It uses a curved zipper and a webbing strap.
• Slouchy Hobo Bag: 180 min, intermediate, Free. An everyday bag in Regular (12⅞ in) and Large (14¾ in) that can be cut from old jeans. The steps are in how to sew a slouchy hobo bag.
• Yoga Mat Backpack: 120 min, intermediate, Premium. A backpack that carries a rolled mat: Standard fits a roll of 6 x 26 in and Thick XL fits 7½ x 26 in.

More carry-alls are on the bag sewing patterns page.

Cozy and keepsake gifts

• Sleep Shorts: 60 min, beginner, Free. Elastic-waist shorts for hips of 36 to 56 inches, in cotton lawn, flannel or double gauze. An old duvet cover makes two pairs.
• Ironing Board Cover: 60 min, beginner, Premium. A drawcord cover in Tabletop, Standard and Full board sizes, made from cotton canvas. Pre-wash the canvas, because cotton shrinks. It is a practical gift for a sewing room.
• Memory Pillow: 90 min, intermediate, Premium. A keepsake pillow cut from a button-up shirt or tee, with an envelope back, for pillow forms from 12 to 20 inches square. The Hug style adds arms made from long sleeves.
• Memory Bear: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. A teddy sewn from a loved one's clothes, in ten sizes from 6 to 24 inches; a child tee fits the 10 inch bear. Bunny, cat, dog and elephant versions are also listed at 240 minutes. Read how to make a memory bear from clothes before you cut anything, or see the memory bear pattern page.

What Christmas sewing projects work for kids and babies?

These sixteen cover dress-up, stocking fillers, baby gifts and soft toys. For anyone under 3, skip pom-poms, buttons and beads, and keep handmade plush away from babies. If the sewer is a child, see easy Christmas sewing projects for kids, which sorts projects by age and skill.

Stocking fillers and dress-up

• Drawstring Bag: 30 min, beginner, Free. Small (8 x 10 in), Medium (12 x 15 in) or Large (16 x 20 in); fill it with candy, a small toy or socks. See how to sew a drawstring bag.
• Puffy Wand Trio: 30 min, beginner, Premium. A star, a heart and a moon on dowels with ribbon streamers, in Small (4½ in across) and Large (6½ in across). One fat quarter makes all three Large shapes. Not for children under 3, and sand the dowel ends smooth.
• Superhero Cape: 45 min, beginner, Premium. A cape for ages 1 to 3, 4 to 7 or 8 to 12, with a break-away neck closure. Steps: how to sew a superhero cape.
• Fabric Crown: 45 min, beginner, Premium. A fusible-fleece crown in Baby, Toddler and Child sizes. It is not for sleep or unsupervised wear.
• Quilted Wings: 60 min, beginner, Premium. Fairy Wings, Dragon Wings and Butterfly Wings come in Toddler, Kid and Adult sizes, so a whole group can match. Read how to sew quilted fairy, dragon and butterfly wings.
• Santa and Elf Hats: 60 min, beginner, Premium. Four sizes from Toddler to Adult L, so the family can match. Measure the head first, and skip pom-poms for children under 3. See how to sew a Santa hat.

More dress-up ideas are on the costume sewing patterns page.

Bigger gifts for kids

• Girls A-Line Dress: 120 min, beginner, Premium. An A-line dress in sizes for ages 1 to 8. Ask for a current measurement before you cut.
• Hooded Towel: 60 min, beginner, Premium. A bound hooded towel with ears, in Baby, Toddler and Kid sizes, from cotton terry, bamboo terry or waffle toweling.
• Reading Pillow: 45 min, beginner, Premium. A cushion with a front pocket and a carry handle, in Kid (12 x 16 in), Standard (16 x 16 in) and Large (18 x 18 in). You add a pillow form.
• Animal Bottle Cover: 60 min, beginner, Premium. A fleece or minky bottle cover with bear, cat or bunny ears and an embroidered face, in three sizes.

Baby gifts

• Baby Bib: 20 min, beginner, Free. Newborn, Baby and Toddler sizes with a snap or hook-and-loop closure.
• Baby Booties: 90 min, intermediate, Premium. Four sizes, from 0 to 3 months up to 12 to 18 months.
• Wipes Pouch: 45 min, beginner, Premium. A Travel size and a Full Pack size; the Full Pack holds a wipes pack and a folded diaper.

For a complete gift set, read baby shower gifts to sew or browse the baby sewing patterns.

Soft toys

• Reindeer Plush: 180 min, intermediate, Premium. A plush reindeer in Small (7 in), Medium (9½ in) and Large (12 in). See Christmas reindeer and angel sewing patterns for how it compares with the goose looks.
• Plush Whale: 120 min, intermediate, Premium. The quickest plush in the app, in 8, 12 and 16 inches. The seams can be sewn by hand; see how to sew a stuffed animal by hand and how to sew a plushie.
• Bunny Doll: 180 min, intermediate, Premium. A doll about 13½ inches tall, listed for heirloom gifts and birthdays.

All the stuffed animals are on the plushie sewing patterns page.

Which kitchen and hostess gifts can I sew?

Six useful gifts suit a host, a neighbor or a new cook. Anything that touches heat needs 100 percent cotton fabric, batting and thread, because polyester can melt, so follow each pattern's fabric notes. Do not state a heat rating on a tag.

• Wine and Gift Bags: 60 min, beginner, Premium. A lined drawstring bag with a boxed base, in Small (6 x 8 in), Large (10 x 12 in) and a tall Wine size (4½ x 16 in). The recipient can reuse it as gift wrap; see how to sew a wine bottle gift bag.
• Bowl Cozy: 60 min, beginner, Free. A quilted microwave bowl holder in five sizes from 8 to 17½ inches. Use cotton only, because polyester melts in the microwave; see how to sew a bowl cozy.
• Potholder: 120 min, beginner, Free. A quilted, bound potholder in Small (7 in), Medium (8 in) and Large (9 in). Our quilted potholder sewing guide explains the method.
• Oven Mitt: 180 min, intermediate, Premium. Small (10⅝ in), Medium (11⅝ in) and Large (12⅝ in). The pattern calls for 100 percent cotton throughout and an Insul-Bright layer as the heat barrier. Pair it with the potholder for a set.
• Pot Handle Cover: 120 min, intermediate, Premium. Skillet and Dutch Oven sizes, in 100 percent cotton with Insul-Bright or cotton batting. Never leave it on a handle inside the oven.
• Casserole Carrier: 180 min, beginner, Premium. Fits 8 x 8, 9 x 13 or 10 x 15 inch dishes, with bound edges and a hook-and-loop closure. Use 100 percent cotton with Insul-Bright and cotton batting.

What Christmas gifts can I sew for pets?

Pet gifts are small and often come from a single fat quarter. A bandana or collar is decoration: take it off when your pet is unsupervised, crated or playing rough, and use only a breakaway collar on a cat.

• Collar Bandana: 30 min, or 45 with the bow, beginner, Premium. A reversible over-the-collar bandana in six sizes from Cat to XL. Choose the Bow style in plaid for Christmas; the steps are in how to sew a dog bandana.
• Fabric Dog Collar: 45 min, beginner, Premium. A quilting cotton cover over webbing, in sizes from XS to XL, with an optional bow tie and leash.
• Dog Treat Pouch: 30 min, beginner, Premium. A 5 x 6 inch pouch with a flap and a belt loop. One fat quarter of outer and one of lining make two, so you can give one and keep one.
• Dog Cap: 60 min, beginner, Premium. A costume cap in four sizes. One fat quarter each of outer and lining makes any size.
• Dog Sweater: 60 min, beginner, Premium. Nine sizes, from a 6 inch back length to 22 inches, sewn from sweater knit, fleece or French terry.

Which porch goose Christmas outfits can I sew?

Porch geese are usually sold at 17, 23 and 27 inches, and every outfit pattern includes Small, Standard and Large to match. All ten Christmas outfits are intermediate, so the Goose Easy Dress and the Accessories Set are the beginner options. For the full ranking with fabric by size, read porch goose Christmas outfit patterns ranked by hours, or compare the looks on the Christmas porch goose outfits page.

• Porch Goose Santa Outfit: 300 min (5 hours), intermediate, Premium. A red outfit with white fabric and a black belt.
• Porch Goose Mrs Claus Outfit: 240 min (4 hours), intermediate, Premium. Red with white fabric, and one of the simplest picks because it uses two fabrics.
• Porch Goose Elf Outfit: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. Green with a red band.
• Porch Goose Reindeer Outfit: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. Brown with a cream band; it pairs with the reindeer plush above.
• Porch Goose Snowman Outfit: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. White with a black cap and black felt details. It still looks right in January, as the winter porch goose outfits after Christmas guide explains.
• Porch Goose Angel Outfit: 300 min (5 hours), intermediate, Premium. White with ivory felt wings.
• Porch Goose Gingerbread Outfit: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. Brown with white felt trim.
• Porch Goose Christmas Tree Outfit: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. Green with dark green felt.
• Porch Goose Toy Soldier Outfit: 300 min (5 hours), intermediate, Premium. Red with a black cap.
• Porch Goose Ugly Sweater Outfit: 240 min, intermediate, Premium. A cream sweater with a red skirt. See porch goose pajamas and ugly sweater patterns for how it goes together.
• Porch Goose Accessories Set: 180 min (3 hours), beginner, Premium. A hat and a scarf, for a goose that needs a quick change.
• Goose Easy Dress: 120 min (2 hours), beginner, Premium. One cotton fabric for the top, sleeves and skirt. It is not Christmas-specific, so a red or green print makes it festive.

Not sure of your goose's size? Read how to measure a porch goose, and use how much fabric a porch goose dress needs to build a shopping list. The porch goose outfit patterns page lists every season.

What can I sew as a last-minute Christmas gift?

Ten ideas take 30 minutes or less in the app. Print and cut before you sit down, because the times do not include them.

If you have 40 to 60 minutes, add the Envelope Cushion (40), Zipper Pouch (45), Wipes Pouch (45), Wine and Gift Bags (60) or Bowl Cozy (60). The full list, with fabric amounts for each, is in last-minute gifts to sew in an hour or less. To use up what you already own, see scrap fabric projects.

Which Christmas sewing projects can I sell?

Small, quick items suit a craft table because the price stays within reach. Ornaments (30 min), scrunchies (15), zipper pouches (45) and Wine and Gift Bags (60) all appear in the table of 16 projects in Christmas sewing projects to sell at craft fairs. That guide also covers pricing, batch sewing and a sew-by plan for a December fair.

Before you sell anything made from a pattern, check the license on the pattern page and read the Sewzy terms. In the US, items made for children 12 and under need extra care; the sell guide explains what to check.

What should I check before gifting handmade items?

• Heat: bowl cozies, potholders, oven mitts, handle covers and casserole carriers need 100 percent cotton fabric, batting and thread. Do not claim a heat rating.
• Young children: pom-poms, buttons and beads are small parts. Skip them for a child under 3, keep handmade plush away from babies, and do not give the Puffy Wand Trio to a child under 3.
• Dress-up: the Fabric Crown is not for sleep or unsupervised wear.
• Pets: a bandana or collar is decoration only. Take it off when the pet is unsupervised, crated or playing rough, and use a breakaway collar for a cat.

How early should I start? A sew-by timeline for December 25

Count back from December 25 and pick the row that matches the time you have left. The example loads below add up the app times for one item each, and they leave out printing, taping and cutting, so treat them as a floor and keep a buffer week if you can.

A few dates depend on the project. Start a 5 hour goose outfit about 4 weeks before Christmas and a 4 hour outfit about 3 weeks before, so the goose is dressed about 2 weeks before Christmas. Finish stockings and the advent calendar before December 1, which is about 3½ weeks out.

• Pre-wash everything before you cut.
• Cut every project first, then sew in batches.
• Finish the biggest project first and keep the last two weeks for the small ones.
• Plan 6 to 8 people at most. A short list gets finished. For a longer plan, see handmade Christmas gifts to sew.

Every Christmas sewing guide in one place

These are all of our Christmas and gift guides, grouped by what they help you do. The Christmas sewing patterns page lists every pattern, and the free sewing patterns page lists the free ones.

Plan and choose

• Handmade Christmas gifts to sew: 15 gift ideas sorted by time and skill.
• Last-minute gifts to sew: gifts you can finish in an hour or less.
• Christmas sewing projects to sell: 16 craft fair ideas with pricing.
• Easy Christmas sewing projects for kids: projects by age and skill, with safety tips.
• Baby shower gifts to sew: eight baby gifts with sizes and times.
• Scrap fabric projects: twelve things to sew from leftovers.

Decorations and keepsakes

• How to sew a Christmas stocking: a free template and yardage.
• How to sew a Santa hat: sizes, steps and fabric.
• How to sew fabric cone Christmas trees: three sizes, from 8 to 20 inches.
• Fabric Christmas ornaments and advent calendar: sizes, times and the order to make them in.
• How to make a memory bear from clothes: how much clothing each size needs.
• Christmas reindeer and angel sewing patterns: a plush, two goose outfits and hats.

Gift bags and kitchen gifts

• How to sew a wine bottle gift bag: lined, with a drawstring, in three sizes.
• How to sew a bowl cozy: a quilted microwave bowl holder.
• Quilted potholder sewing guide: a classic kitchen gift.
• How to sew a zipper pouch: a 45 minute gift in three sizes.
• How to sew a drawstring bag: a 30 minute bag for small gifts.
• How to sew a scrunchie: a 15 minute stocking filler.

Pets and porch geese

• How to sew a dog bandana: an over-the-collar bandana in six sizes.
• Porch goose Christmas outfits to sew: ten looks ranked by hours and difficulty.
• Winter porch goose outfits after Christmas: the Snowman, Ugly Sweater and Pajamas.
• Porch goose pajamas and ugly sweater: what is in each outfit.

Make it with Sewzy

Sewzy is a sewing pattern app for iPhone, and each pattern includes every size. Print the letter-size PDF at home, or take the A0 file to a copy shop; if printing is new to you, read how to print PDF sewing patterns. A written step-by-step guide in the app walks through each project, and many pattern pages have short how-to videos.

Some patterns are free, and ten of the projects in this list are among them. If you are new to sewing, start with easy sewing projects for beginners. Read more about the Sewzy sewing app, or get Sewzy on the App Store and pick your first Christmas make.

FAQ

What are the easiest Christmas sewing projects?

The easiest are beginner patterns that take 10 to 30 minutes: the Elastic Bookmark (10 minutes), the Scrunchie (15), the Baby Bib (20), and the Christmas Ornaments, Eye Pillow, Sleep Mask and Drawstring Bag (30 each). Of the 60 ideas in this guide, 37 are beginner level.

What can I sew for Christmas in 30 minutes or less?

Ten ideas are listed at 30 minutes or less in the Sewzy app: the Elastic Bookmark (10), Scrunchie (15), Baby Bib (20), and at 30 minutes the Christmas Ornaments, Eye Pillow, Sleep Mask, Drawstring Bag, Puffy Wand Trio, Collar Bandana in the Classic style and Dog Treat Pouch. The times cover one item, so add time to print, tape and cut.

Which Christmas sewing patterns are free?

Ten of the ideas use free patterns: the Scrunchie, Baby Bib, Drawstring Bag, Envelope Cushion, Zipper Pouch, Bowl Cozy, Sleep Shorts, Boxed Tote Bag, Potholder and Slouchy Hobo Bag. The ornaments, cone trees, advent calendar, hats and porch goose outfits are Premium.

When should I start sewing Christmas gifts?

Eight weeks before Christmas gives you about 16 hours at 2 hours a week, enough for an advent calendar plus several small gifts. With one week left, stick to 15 to 30 minute projects. Finish stockings and the advent calendar before December 1, and have a porch goose dressed about 2 weeks before Christmas.

Does Sewzy have a Christmas stocking pattern?

No. A stocking is not a Sewzy pattern, but our guide gives a free draw-it-yourself template: 18 inches tall with a 7 inch leg and ½ inch seams. One lined stocking needs ½ yard of outer fabric and ⅝ yard of lining.

Free printable: wrapping your handmade gifts? Get our free Christmas gift tags, with a "Merry & handmade" embroidery design.

Related guides: how to sew a quilted bow, embroidery hoop Christmas ornaments, Christmas placemats to sew and how to embroider a Christmas sweatshirt by hand; also tree Skirt Pattern, no-Sew Fleece Tie Blanket.