Sewing Projects to Sell: 14 Quick Makes That Sell Out at Holiday Craft Fairs
Sewing projects to sell are the secret behind those busy craft fair tables where shoppers crowd in and the stacks keep shrinking. The best part is that the winners are not fancy quilts that take months. They are small, cheerful, useful things you can stitch in an evening from fabric you already own. Think bowl cozies, scrunchies, zipper pouches and little stuffed trees that people grab three at a time for teachers, neighbors and stocking stuffers. Holiday shoppers love a handmade gift that feels personal but does not cost a fortune. Below are 14 quick makes that keep selling out every December, each with a short supply list and easy steps. Pull out your scrap bin, warm up the iron and see which ones you want to make first..
Microwave Bowl Cozies, the Sewing Projects to Sell First
Sewing projects to sell do not get more popular than the humble microwave bowl cozy. It is a soft quilted bowl that holds a hot soup or oatmeal bowl so fingers stay comfortable, and shoppers buy them by the stack. Sewing fans on YouTube have shared fast versions that pull in millions of views, and this quick gift sewing video shows how simple the shape really is. Make them in plaid, holly prints and soft neutrals, then tie two together with twine as a ready gift set. Many sellers say this is the first thing to vanish from the table..
You will need: Two 10 inch squares of 100% cotton fabric, one 10 inch square of 100% cotton batting, cotton thread, a ruler, chalk, pins.
How to make it: 1. Fold each square in half both ways and mark a 2 inch dart on all four sides. 2. Sew the darts on the fabric and the batting, then trim. 3. Place the two fabric bowls right sides together with batting on top, sew around, leaving a gap. 4. Turn, press, topstitch around the rim and close the gap.
Quilted Potholders in Holiday Patchwork
Every kitchen needs potholders, and almost nobody buys nice ones for themselves, which makes them perfect gifts. Patchwork squares in red, green and cream look like a tiny piece of Grandma’s quilt, and they use up the smallest scraps in your bin. Add a little loop in one corner so they can hang by the stove. Sell them in pairs tied with a ribbon and they become an easy hostess gift that shoppers pick up without a second thought. Which fabrics in your stash would look cozy in a farmhouse kitchen?
You will need: Cotton fabric scraps cut into 3 inch squares, 8 inch backing squares, two layers of cotton batting or one layer of heat resistant batting, binding strip, thread.
How to make it: 1. Sew nine 3 inch squares into a patchwork block and press. 2. Stack backing, batting and the patchwork top, then pin. 3. Quilt simple straight lines across the block. 4. Bind the edges and stitch a small fabric loop into one corner.
Scrunchie Sets: Sewing Projects to Sell From Scraps
Scrunchies are back in a big way, and they are one of the fastest sewing projects to sell at any holiday market. A single long strip of satin, velvet or cotton becomes a soft hair tie in about ten minutes. The trick that makes them sell is packaging them in sets of three or four colors, like soft pinks and blues, or deep holiday reds and greens. Teens, teachers and moms all grab them as stocking stuffers. Would you make a satin set or a cozy velvet one first?
You will need: Fabric strips about 4 by 20 inches (satin, velvet or cotton), 1/4 inch elastic cut to 8 inches, safety pin, thread, small paper bands or ribbon for sets.
How to make it: 1. Fold the strip in half lengthwise right sides together and sew the long edge. 2. Turn it right side out with a safety pin. 3. Thread the elastic through and knot the ends. 4. Tuck one raw end into the other and stitch closed.
Lined Zipper Pouches in Cheerful Prints
Zipper pouches look tricky, which is exactly why shoppers happily pay for them. Once you sew two or three, you will see they come together in under half an hour. People use them for makeup, pencils, chargers or gift cards, so they suit almost anyone on a gift list. Line them in a bright contrast fabric and add a little fabric tab on the zipper end for a polished finish. Lay them out in a rainbow row on your table and watch people stop to touch them.
You will need: Two outer fabric rectangles 9 by 6 inches, two lining rectangles the same size, light fusible interfacing, a 9 inch zipper, zipper foot, thread.
How to make it: 1. Fuse interfacing to the outer pieces. 2. Sandwich the zipper between one outer and one lining piece and sew with a zipper foot, then repeat on the other side. 3. Open the zipper halfway, pin outers together and linings together, and sew around, leaving a gap in the lining. 4. Turn, close the gap and press.
Mini Tree Skirts Are Sewing Projects to Sell Before December
Small tabletop trees are everywhere now, in kitchens, bedrooms and offices, and they all need a tiny skirt. These mini tree skirts are smart sewing projects to sell early, because shoppers decorate right after Thanksgiving. A patchwork circle in red, green and cream looks like a little heirloom, yet it takes only a fat quarter or two. Add a ribbon tie at the back opening so it wraps neatly around any small trunk. Could you sew a matching set for your own little trees too?
You will need: Two 18 inch squares of cotton fabric (one pieced patchwork top and one backing), thin batting, a dinner plate and a small bowl for tracing, ribbon, thread.
How to make it: 1. Trace an 18 inch circle and a 3 inch center circle on the layers. 2. Cut one straight slit from the edge to the center. 3. Sew the top and backing right sides together with batting, leaving a gap, then turn and press. 4. Topstitch around and add ribbon ties at the slit.
Fabric Coasters in Christmas Prints
Fabric coasters might be the easiest sale on the whole table. They are quick, use tiny scraps, and look adorable stacked in a set of four or six tied with baker’s twine. Holiday prints sell best in November and December, while florals and plaids sell all year. Neat topstitching around the edge makes them look shop bought, so take your time on that last line of stitches. A set of coasters with a mug makes a sweet little gift for a teacher or a neighbor.
You will need: Cotton fabric scraps cut into 5 inch squares (two per coaster), 5 inch squares of cotton batting or felt, thread, turning tool, twine for sets.
How to make it: 1. Layer two fabric squares right sides together on a batting square. 2. Sew around with a 1/4 inch seam, leaving a 2 inch gap. 3. Clip the corners, turn and push the corners out. 4. Press and topstitch around the edge to close the gap.
Pet Bandanas for Dog Lovers
Dog owners are some of the happiest shoppers at any craft fair, and a cute bandana is hard for them to walk past. Plaid and holiday prints sell especially well for Christmas photos and family cards. Sew them in three sizes and hang them on a little rack so people can picture their own pup wearing one. A slide on style that threads over the collar is quick and comfortable, and there are no ties for a playful dog to chew. Who in your life would buy one for their furry best friend?
You will need: Cotton or flannel fabric, a paper triangle pattern in small, medium and large, thread, pins, pinking shears or an iron for pressing.
How to make it: 1. Cut two triangles per bandana. 2. Fold the top edge of each down 1 1/2 inches to make a collar channel and press. 3. Sew the triangles right sides together along the two short sides, turn and press. 4. Topstitch the channel so a collar slides through.
Reusable Makeup Rounds: Tiny Sewing Projects to Sell in Bundles
Reusable makeup rounds are small sewing projects to sell that shoppers love for everyday use. Soft terry on one side and flannel on the other makes them gentle and easy to wash with the laundry. Bundle ten or twelve in a small jar or a little drawstring bag and they become a pretty, practical gift. They use the smallest leftovers from towels and baby flannel, so your cost stays tiny. Which colors would you pick for a soft pastel set?
You will need: Cotton terry cloth and cotton flannel scraps, a 3 1/2 inch round template, thread, pinking shears or a serger, a small jar or bag for bundles.
How to make it: 1. Trace and cut matching circles from terry and flannel. 2. Place one of each wrong sides together. 3. Sew a tight zigzag or serge around the edge. 4. Trim loose threads and stack them in sets.
Simple Lined Tote Bags
Tote bags are steady sellers because everyone needs one more for groceries, books or the gym. Sewing videos on simple lined totes have gathered hundreds of thousands of views this year, and it is easy to see why: two rectangles and two straps become something useful in an hour. Pick sturdy cotton canvas in calm colors and line it with a cheerful print that peeks out at the top. Hang a few on a hook at the front of your table so people can see the size. What would you carry in yours first?
You will need: Cotton canvas cut into two 15 by 16 inch pieces, two lining pieces the same size, two 4 by 24 inch strap strips, thread, iron.
How to make it: 1. Fold and press the strap strips into thin straps and topstitch both edges. 2. Sew the outer pieces together on three sides, then do the same with the lining. 3. Pin the straps inside the outer bag, slide the lining over it right sides together and sew the top edge, leaving a gap. 4. Turn, press and topstitch the top edge.
Rice Heating Packs, Cozy Sewing Projects to Sell in Winter
When the weather turns cold, rice heating packs become cozy sewing projects to sell that people come back for. A flannel bag filled with plain dry rice warms up in the microwave and feels lovely on chilly hands or a cold lap. Stitch channels across the bag so the rice stays spread out, and add a little care card that says to warm it in short bursts of about 20 to 30 seconds and check it each time. Plaid flannel gives them that cabin in the woods look. Would you add a soft washable cover too?
You will need: 100% cotton flannel cut into two 8 by 14 inch pieces, plain dry long grain rice (about 3 cups), thread, funnel, small care card.
How to make it: 1. Sew the two pieces right sides together on three sides, turn and press. 2. Stitch two lines across to make three channels, leaving the top open. 3. Funnel rice into each channel, about two thirds full. 4. Fold the top edge in and stitch it closed twice.
Stuffed Fabric Christmas Trees
Stuffed fabric trees are one of the prettiest things on any holiday table, and shoppers often buy a set of three. Make one tall, one medium and one small in plaid, ticking stripe and velvet, then set them on little wooden trunks. They look lovely on a mantel, a kitchen shelf or a dresser, and they never drop needles. If you love this cozy style, our list of Christmas crafts to sell has more ideas that look great beside them. Which fabric would you choose for the tallest tree?
You will need: Fabric pieces in three sizes, a cone pattern (quarter circle), polyester stuffing, small wooden dowel or branch slices for trunks, a cardboard circle for the base, glue (adult help for hot glue).
How to make it: 1. Cut a quarter circle and fold it into a cone, then sew the long edge. 2. Turn right side out and stuff firmly. 3. Glue a cardboard circle over the open bottom. 4. Press a short wooden trunk into the base with glue and let it set.
Fabric Cord Keepers With Snaps
Cord keepers are tiny, quick and surprisingly useful, so they make a perfect impulse buy at the checkout end of your table. A small fabric strap with a snap keeps charging cables and earbuds neat in a bag or drawer. Make them in bright prints and sell them in sets of three for students, travelers and anyone who hates tangled cords. You can cut a whole batch from one fat quarter in a single evening. Put a bowl of them right by your cash box and see how many people add one.
You will need: Cotton fabric strips 2 by 6 inches, light fusible interfacing, plastic snaps and snap pliers, thread.
How to make it: 1. Fuse interfacing to each strip. 2. Fold the strip in half lengthwise right sides together and sew, rounding one end. 3. Turn, press and topstitch around the edges. 4. Add a snap set at each end so the strap wraps around a cable.
Padded Book Sleeves
Book lovers are easy to shop for once they spot a padded book sleeve. It is a soft quilted pocket that keeps a paperback or e reader safe in a bag, and readers often buy one for themselves and one for a friend. Florals, cozy plaids and vintage looking prints sell best. Add a little fabric tab or a button closure for a sweet finish. Display a few with real books tucked inside so shoppers can see exactly what they are for.
You will need: Outer cotton fabric and lining cut to 11 by 19 inches, cotton batting the same size, a 3 inch fabric tab, a button, thread.
How to make it: 1. Layer the outer fabric on batting and quilt a few straight lines. 2. Sew the outer and lining right sides together along one short end with the tab tucked in. 3. Fold into a pocket and sew the sides, leaving a gap in the lining. 4. Turn, close the gap and sew on the button.
Christmas Mug Rugs, the Last Sewing Projects to Sell Out
Mug rugs are mini quilts that hold a mug and a cookie, and they are cheerful sewing projects to sell all through the holidays. They are bigger than a coaster and smaller than a placemat, so they feel special without taking long. Sew them in Christmas patchwork, pair one with a packet of cocoa, and you have a gift that sells for teachers, coworkers and Secret Santa swaps. Bring plenty, because they are often the last thing people grab before they leave. Which of these 14 makes will you sew first?
You will need: Cotton patchwork scraps, backing fabric and thin batting cut to 6 by 9 inches, binding strip, thread.
How to make it: 1. Piece a 6 by 9 inch patchwork top from scraps. 2. Layer backing, batting and top, then pin. 3. Quilt a few straight lines through all layers. 4. Bind the edges and press flat.
