42 Gifts to Sew for Teens That They'll Actually Use • Heather Handmade

Get inspired to make one of these fun gifts to sew for teens. These sewing projects are useful and trendy, and even teens like fun things!

Teens are hard to give to and hard to sew for. They want to get fun useful things, but they want to be cool. They want their friends to think their gifts are cool. Sometimes they like “younger” things and sometimes they want “older” things.

I’ve put a list together of all the fun things you can sew for teens that make really great gifts. They are useful and playful. Some things will fit in a stocking, and some things are big enough to be their own gift. Which one is your favorite?

Why sew handmade gifts?

They are unique and custom. You can choose fabrics and colors that the recipient loves which shows that you thought about them. It could fill a need in a way that a store bought item can’t fill. You can also add a name to personalize it even more.
They can be more affordable than store bought gifts. Depending on what you have in your sewing area, you can make handmade gifts cheaper than store bought gifts. It can honestly go both ways with cost, so you have to be intentional about how you spend your money to get the most gifts from your money.
They are a great way to show your love and appreciation. Whenever I make a gift, I think about the love being poured into the item I make it. You can show lots of love with a handmade gift because it shows the time you thought about and effort you put into creating for the recipient.

What is a PDF sewing pattern?

A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.

I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!

How do you use a PDF sewing pattern?

Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.

Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.

Try one of these great sewing projects:

Gifts to Sew for Teens

DIY Curling Iron Travel Case: Free Sewing Pattern

Learn how to make a heat resistant curling iron travel case with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing projects works for any hot tool.

Free Hand Sanitizer Spray Holder Sewing Pattern

Learn how to sew a hand sanitizer spray holder with a free sewing pattern. This small sewing project keeps rectangular hand sanitizers handy.

Free Pickleball Paddle Cover Sewing Pattern

Learn how to sew a pickleball paddle cover with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing project can be clipped onto a chain link fence.

Free Electric Scooter Bag Sewing Pattern

Learn how to sew a bag for an electric scooter with a free sewing pattern. This bag sewing project is a great gift for kids and teens.

Free Keychain Card Wallet Sewing Pattern

Learn how to sew a keychain card wallet with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing project is so useful and a great gift for teens.

Free Luggage Tag Sewing Pattern with a Flap

Learn how to sew a luggage tag with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing project identifies luggage and protects your information.

How to Sew a Steering Wheel Cover

Learn how to sew a steering wheel cover for temperature protection and a nice look. This beginner sewing project is great for any vehicle.

Free Pull Out Key Case Pattern

Learn how to make a pull out key case to keep keys organized. This beginner sewing project uses fabric scraps and is a great handmade gift.

How to Sew a Soda Can Cozy to Keep Drinks Cold

Learn how to sew a soda can cozy to help keep drinks insulated and cold. This beginner sewing projects is perfect for summer and handmade gifts.

How to Sew a Luggage Handle Cover

Learn how to sew a luggage handle cover with a beginner sewing project. Make it easier to identify your luggage while traveling.

How to Sew a Lanyard

Learn how to sew a lanyard with a beginner sewing project. This quick and easy sewing project is useful and makes a great handmade gift.
Find a great fabric to match your teens personality, and they can carry their keys and school ID card in a fun way.

Sew a Gift Card Holder

If you are giving a gift card or a nice card, then make a cute gift card holder to make the gift a little more special. Teens love getting gift cards!
Learn how to sew a gift card holder with cotton fabric and one line of stitching. This easy sewing project uses scraps for a great gift.

Squish Stuffed Animal Sewing Pattern

Make the Squish Stuffed Animal Sewing Pattern for the softest and easiest stuffies. Mix and match the details for all sorts of animals.

Free Cat Zipper Pouch Pattern

Make a cute cat shaped, mini zipper pouch with this free cat zipper pouch pattern. It’s perfect to hold ear buds, chapstick, and all the little things teens carry around.

Free Fleece Hat Pattern

Learn how to make a winter fleece hat with a free sewing pattern. This pattern comes in child, teen, and adult sizes for the whole family.

How to Sew DIY Hand Warmers

Learn how to sew DIY hand warmers with flannel fabric. It’s easy to make several, fill them up with rice, and give them as handmade gifts.

Make a Bean Bag from a Blanket

Learn how to turn a blanket into a bean bag. This home sewing project is the easiest bean bag you can make. Fill it with fabric scraps, poly-fil, or purchased bag bag pellets.

Sew a Clear Vinyl Zipper Pouch

When teens go to sports games and concerts they often can only bring in transparent purses and bags. This one is perfect for that!
Learn how to sew a clear vinyl zipper pouch with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing project is great for organizing!

DIY Flannel and Sherpa Blanket

Learn how to make a DIY flannel and sherpa blanket for a cozy handmade gift. This easy sewing project uses fabric and just a sewing machine!

Free Cell Phone Bag Pattern

Learn how to make a cell phone bag with a free sewing pattern. This tiny crossbody bag is great for essentials and it’s a fun sewing project.

How to Sew a Mug Cozy

Learn how to sew a mug cozy for all the hot chocolate teens drink in the winter. Use quilting cotton for an easy beginner sewing project that makes a great handmade gift!

DIY Silk Hair Bow

Use silk fabric to make a hair bow or a hair scarf! Teen girls love big bows and silk hair accessories.

How to Make a Cheater Quilt

Learn how to make a cheater quilt that is fast, easy, and you can use any striped or plaid fabric. A cheater quilt is perfect for gifts and there are so many fun fabric options!

How to Sew a Zipper Pouch

Learn how to sew a zipper pouch with a free sewing pattern. This easy sewing project is great for beginners and makes a great handmade gift! It’s great for storing makeup, art supplies, etc.

Free Mitten Sewing Pattern for Fleece

Learn how to make fleece mittens with a free sewing pattern. It comes in children, teen, and adult sizes and is a great handmade gift!

DIY Hair Towel Wrap with Jersey Knit

Learn how to make a DIY hair towel wrap with jersey knit fabric and a free sewing pattern. It’s great for plopping wet hair up on your head! This is great for teens that always dry their hair.

How to Make a Minky Blanket

Learn how to make a minky blanket with two pieces of minky fabric. This is a great beginner sewing project perfect for gifts.

Free Circle Drawstring Bag Pattern

Learn how to make a circle drawstring bag with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing project is great for organizing makeup!

DIY Bean Bag Chair

Learn how to make a DIY bean bag chair with free measurements! Make a comfortable chair that is great to match a teen’s room!

How to Make DIY Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Learn how to make DIY reusable makeup remover pads to help you save money and create less waste. It’s a great scrap fabric sewing project!

DIY Flannel Blanket

Learn how to make a DIY flannel blanket that is a perfect throw blanket. This beginner sewing projects is a quick sew and makes a great gift!

Free Gift Card Holder Sewing Pattern

Learn how to make a gift card holder with a free sewing pattern. These look like Christmas tags and can hold a gift card or tiny card and envelope! It makes gift cards feel extra fun and special.

Ponytail Beanie Sewing Pattern

Learn how to make a ponytail beanie with this fun sewing pattern. This hat pattern comes in child, teen, and adult sizes for the whole family. A teen girl would love to be able to pull her ponytail or bun throuh the beanie and keep her head and ears warm.

DIY Bow Elastic Hair Ties

Learn how to make bow elastic hair ties with a free sewing pattern. This beginner sewing project is a quick and easy handmade gift! It’s makes dressing up a ponytail just a little easier.

DIY Fleece Blanket: 6 Different Ways

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket six different ways. Each version is a finish for the sides and is either a sew or no-sew tutorial.

How to Sew a Mug Rug

Learn how to sew a mug rug with scraps of fabric. Use a free sewing pattern and a beautiful print for a unique handmade gift. I love that my teen uses one of these so hot chocolate drips never get on the table.

How to Make DIY Reusable Cotton Rounds

Make use of all those organic cotton scraps of fabric by easily sewing or serging them into DIY reusable cotton rounds. They are great for removing make up!

Free Chapstick Holder Keychain Pattern

With this free chapstick holder keychain pattern, make a cute keychain to hold your lip balm or chapstick to clip onto your purse or backpack.

How to Make a Double Gauze Blanket

Learn how to make a double gauze blanket or a DIY muslin blanket. This beginner sewing project makes a cozy, handmade gift for the holidays.

Small Circle Zipper Pouch Tutorial

Learn how to sew a small circle zipper pouch with a free sewing pattern. This easy sewing project can clip onto a bag or keys, and it holds chapstick, earbuds, bobby pins, etc.

Free Tablet (and book!) Bean Bag Pattern

Learn how to make a book or tablet bean bag with a free sewing pattern. This beginning sewing project is a useful handmade gift since it can hold a phone, tablet, book, Kindle, or Switch!

How to Make a Silk Scrunchie

Learn how to make a DIY silk scrunchie with a free printable scrunchie PDF sewing pattern. This is a great beginner sewing project and it’s so soft on hair.

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!