Are you running low on fabric? Don’t worry! With just a yard of fabric, there are so many things you can sew! Start with quick and easy sewing projects like a simple pillowcase, kitchen apron, and pretty tote bags. If you are an experienced sewist, there are even more options. It’s never been so easy to learn to sew or sew through piles of fabric. Pick a free sewing pattern from this huge list and sew one today!
What You Will Need
For those who have never sewn before, 1-yard pieces of fabric are affordable, easy to find, and just enough to make something fun and useful. You only need basic sewing skills and tools – a sewing machine, scissors (or rotary cutter and mat), and coordinating thread. Pins or sewing clips will also be helpful.
All of these Sewing Patterns and Tutorials are Free
Here are my 50 favorite one-yard wonder sewing ideas. Some patterns call for several pieces of fabric that add up to one yard. For example, one yard is for the exterior of a bag, and one yard is for the lining.
If all you have (or want to use) is a single one-yard piece of fabric, feel free to cut the entire project out with the same fabric. It’s all good! To add interest, you can use fabric scraps for the smaller pieces (like a pocket). Don’t miss my 20 Easy Fat Quarter Bundle Sewing Projects.
Easiest projects first!
To help you find a sewing project you will love, the easiest patterns and tutorials that only need 1 yard of fabric are listed first. This is for all the beginning sewists!
Lightweight cotton fabric (like quilting cotton) is easy to sew. So is heavier cotton fabric, such as canvas, duck, and home decor fabrics. Almost all of these projects are designed for cotton. You can use leftover fabrics from a quilt, too!
Infinity Scarf
Straight seams will make you an infinity scarf in pretty cotton fabric. This is the perfect free pattern for a beginner. Sew one for yourself and one to give to a friend.
One Yard Messenger Bag
The One Yard Magic Messenger Bag is the perfect sewing project for a beginner. It could be your first DIY bag!
One Yard Hobo Bag
The One Yard Magic Hobo Bag pattern is just as easy. Do you have 1 yard for this in your fabric stash?
Pillowcase
Learn how to sew a pillowcase with exactly one yard of fabric and no waste!
Cloth Napkins
A yard of fabric will give you 4 coordinating cloth napkins. This easy tutorial shows 2 different ways to sew the hems. These cloth napkins will elevate your table.
Microwave Bowl Cozies
You can never have too much fabric – or soup bowl cozies. A fat quarter will make 1, and a yard will make 4!
Kitchen Apron
This full apron pattern is particularly perfect for me… it’s simple, functional, and beautiful.
Table Runner
Sew a pretty table runner with just one yard of fabric and 5 minutes of your time.
Hostess Apron and Tote Bag
Sew a matching hostess apron and tote bag with a single yard. Don’t miss this magic tutorial.
Pretty Bench Pillow
If you use non-directional fabric, you can make this beautiful pillow with 1 yard of fabric or purchase 1/2 yard for the front and 1/2 yard for the back.
Toddler or Child Romper Pattern
Remember this style from the 1980’s? This little romper pattern uses only a yard of fabric and is so easy to make! The free PDF pattern download includes sizes 12 months through 6.
Girls Ruffle Skirt
Sew some little skirts (or skorts) with this free downloadable pattern for cotton fabric. Mix and match different prints, or use just one for a simple look.
Fish Drawstring Bags
Sew up adorable and useful drawstring laundry bags that are shaped like fish! This easy sewing tutorial includes free pattern templates. Get started now with just a yard of fabric. I have used this pattern to make a backpack too!
Girls Leggings
Leggings are the easiest kind of pants to sew. Get started with this free leggings pattern for little girls.
Dog Coat
Sometimes, our fur babies need a coat to stay warm. If your dog isn’t too big, you can sew a dog coat with under a yard of fabric, too! This free pattern includes a video tutorial showing how to measure around the dog’s waist and neck.
Canvas Book Bag
This little book bag pattern is perfect for natural canvas fabric and quilting cotton on the straps.
Big Pocket Baby Clutch
Handmade gifts are the best, aren’t they? Here’s a cute diaper clutch you can whip up quickly when a friend is having a baby. Just toss in a few diapers and wipes, and you’ve got the most thoughtful gift at the babyshower!
Animal Cage Comforter
Did you know that animal shelters often use small quilts or blankets (called cage comforters) in the animals’ cages to provide a soft bed and a sense of security? Sew one to donate today!
Adorable Owls
Learn how to sew owls! This easy owl sewing pattern can be made in 3 sizes or more by altering the pattern template. The largest one takes a yard of fabric. I love the button eyes.
Easy Bag with 1 Yard of Quilting Cotton
Kids’ Halloween treat bags like this one are fast and easy to sew! Just grab 1/2 yard cute fabric exterior and any other 1/2 yard for the lining!
This pattern also makes a fabulous book, craft, or shopping bag.
Cute Tote Bag with Optional Applique Bunnies
Here’s another unlined bag pattern that works best with heavier upholstery weight fabric (this fabric looked like linen, but it was polyester). The Easy Tote Pattern has a free (optional) bunny applique too.
Drawstring Ditty Bags
Learn how to make easy drawstring bags with less than a yard of fabric. You’ll love this tutorial, which can be sewn with coordinating fabrics or just one.
Rope Handled Totes
My rope-handled tote pattern is so quick to sew because you don’t have to make handles or straps. Rope is trendy, too!
Handy Travel Pouch
Sew together a handy travel pouch with a cross-body strap that’s perfect for travel. There are 3 interior pockets in 3 sizes – room for just what you need!
Perfect Rectangle Basket
Get everything organized with this darling rectangular fabric basket that is so sturdy it can stand up by itself!
Chair Pocket
Sewing chair pockets (or seat sacks) for an elementary school classroom was fun, and I only needed one yard for each pocket.
Flat Travel Bag
With just a half-yard of fabric, you can make 1 easy shoe storage bag, and with 1 yard, you can make a set of 2. These are perfect for keeping shoes protected from everything else in your bag – or maybe keeping everything else protected from your shoes, lol!
Out the Door Organizer
Be ready to walk out the door by sewing up this smart organizer that has pockets and hanging loops for anything you need.
Sweet Quilted Bag
Learn how to sew a quilted tote. The quilting stitches are optional, but I hope you don’t skip them!
Boxy Zipper Bag or Purse Pattern
My Boxy Zipper Bag Pattern can be made with or without bag hardware. Add handles to make a purse or D-rings and a strap to make a cross-body bag.
Chubby Lunch Tote
The Chubby Lunch Tote is a medium skill-level bag for holding much more than just lunch.
Convertible Cross Body Tote
Sew a beautiful cross-body bag pattern that will be your new favorite purse!
2 Bags from 1 Yard of Fabric
Mix and match with this One Yard Magic Bag Pattern: one yard for one bag or 2 yards for 2 bags with a different lining.
Yarn Project Bag
Sew up a roomy bag perfect for carrying balls of yarn and your knitting or crochet projects, too! The Yarn Project Bag would make a great gift.
The Arial Bag
Sew yourself (or a friend) The Arial Tote Pattern with a unique braided strap and a cell phone pocket on the inside!
Fall Leaves Table Runner
Sew a beautiful fall table runner with applique leaves! This free Autumn Leaves Table Runner Pattern includes all the applique files and instructions to sew a beautiful handmade table runner for your Thanksgiving table.
Mini Oven Mitts
This easy-to-make oven mitt pattern uses cotton fabric and insulated batting to make oven mitts that are as beautiful as they are functional.
Pretty Hobo Bag
This hobo bag-style purse pattern is easier to make than you think! I wanted to keep it simple enough that it wouldn’t take more than a day to sew and yet still have all the features I want in an everyday purse.
Baguette Bag
Sew a small purse in the cutest shape everyone wants – a Baguette Bag! This purse may be small but you can still pack it with everything you need.
DIY Clutch Bag
I put a zipper pouch inside this little clutch bag that is perfect for keeping your cash, coins, cards, and keys safe. There is also the perfect spot for your phone.
Triple Zipper Bag Pattern
Sew the Triple Zipper Bag Pattern with 3 zippered compartments! This is an intermediate-level pattern. If you are new to sewing zipper bags, I suggest trying my free Designer Zipper Bag video course first.
Clamshell Bag
Sew a clamshell bag pattern just the way you like it! Without anything fancy, this zipper bag is just right for holding supplies, cosmetics, or small things when you travel. But if you add exterior pockets and handles, it makes a darling handbag.
Perfect Square Basket
Sew up a cute square basket perfect for keeping, giving away, organizing your home, and showing off to all your friends!
Couch Caddy
Learn how to sew this easy couch caddy to keep your remote controls, devices, reading glasses, and other essential items handy and organized.
Handy Purse Organizer
Keep all your bags organized with my free purse organizer sewing pattern! This handy organizer has pockets all over and is perfect for holding all those little things in your purse that get jumbled together.
Hang Up Family Organizer
This easy-to-make hang-up family organizer has 5 pockets to help you keep everything right where you need it and easy to find.
Twice as Nice Double Sided Pouch
Sew up a double-sided pouch to help you organize your cosmetics, sewing and craft items, art supplies, travel necessities, and more! This is an intermediate-level sewing pattern.
Car Diddy Bag
My Car Diddy Bag holds my phone (and the cords, lol), a couple of pens, and anything else I want to toss in there quick while I’m driving. What will you put in it?
Car Trash Bag
This easy-to-sew car trash bin has an adjustable strap so it can be placed near your car’s center console, around a headrest, or you can even loop through a door handle. Plastic snaps hold a removable bag in place to keep everything clean and easily remove trash!
Kids Bike Messenger Bag
This pattern is for a cute messenger bag that fits on the front of a bike – it’s perfect for kids or kids at heart!
Jewelry Travel Pouch
Travel handmade with this beautiful jewelry travel pouch that you can sew with just 3 fat quarters! Or you can use one 3/4 yard of fabric for all the pieces.
Quilted iPad Case
My Pretty Quilted iPad case pattern is everything you need to protect a new iPad or table. Sew it using a yard of your favorite fabric, a zipper, and some flexible foam stabilizer.
The Perfect DIY Wallet
Use your favorite fabrics to make the perfect wallet. This free diy wallet sewing pattern is beautiful and functional too. I love the quilted exterior that reminds me of designer wallets from Vera Bradley, Coach, or Chanel!
Whether you are sewing with coordinating fat quarters or yardage cut off a bolt, I hope you found the sewing pattern you were looking for. If the width of fabric is less than 40”, you may need more than a yard for some of these sewing projects. Which of these one-yard magic sewing patterns is your favorite?
More from SewCanShe
- 15 Tips for Finding Sewing Fabric at the Thrift Store
With Love From Grandma: 25 Free Sewing Projects Your Grandma Would Make For You
- With Love From Grandma: 25 Free Sewing Projects Your Grandma Would Make For You
Jelly Roll Joy! 20 Beautiful and Free Patterns for Fabric Strips
- Jelly Roll Joy! 20 Beautiful and Free Patterns for Fabric Strips
40 Free Ideas for Turning Your Fabric Scraps into Beautiful Useful Things!
- 40 Free Ideas for Turning Your Fabric Scraps into Beautiful Useful Things!
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
