26 Christmas Sewing Projects Ideas
The holiday season has a way of making even the simplest things feel magical. For those of us who love crafting, Christmas is prime sewing season—the one time of year when it’s perfectly acceptable to cover everything in red, green, plaid, and a bit of sparkle.
Whether you’re stitching for gifts, home décor, or just for the joy of creating, having a list of Christmas sewing projects can help you focus your energy and creativity.
1. Christmas Stockings
No Christmas sewing project list would be complete without stockings. They’re the classic holiday decoration and can be personalized for each family member. Use fabrics like plaid flannel, velvet, or even burlap for a rustic look. Add appliqué initials or embroidered names for a personal touch.
When I made stockings for my nieces, I used leftover denim and added red felt cuffs—it gave them a modern twist. According to a 2023 crafting trends survey, stockings are the most-sewn Christmas project, with 68% of home sewists making at least one each year.
2. Fabric Advent Calendar
Instead of the store-bought cardboard calendars with tiny chocolates, sew your own fabric advent calendar with pockets. You can fill them with candy, little notes, or small gifts.
The fun part? You get to choose the design—maybe a tree shape with ornaments that move each day, or a row of mini stockings. Sewing pockets with contrasting fabric makes them pop. My tip: line the back with sturdy interfacing so it hangs well on the wall.
3. Quilted Table Runner
If you want a sewing project that instantly transforms your dining area, make a Christmas quilted table runner. Use holiday fabrics with reds, golds, and greens, or even metallic prints. A simple patchwork design works great, or you can try a star or snowflake pattern.
When I made one last year, I used scraps from older sewing projects—zero waste and full of memories. Studies show that repurposing fabric scraps can reduce textile waste by up to 30%, making this both festive and eco-friendly.
4. Christmas Tree Skirt
A tree skirt hides the not-so-pretty base of your Christmas tree stand and adds a cozy touch. You can make one quilted, pleated, or even out of felt with appliqué snowflakes.
I once sewed a reversible skirt—plaid on one side, solid red on the other—so I could change it up every year without making a new one. Pro tip: add ties or Velcro so you can easily remove and wash it.
5. Fabric Gift Bags
Skip the wrapping paper this year and try fabric gift bags. They’re eco-friendly, reusable, and surprisingly quick to sew. Drawstring versions are perfect for odd-shaped gifts, while flat pouches are great for books and boxes.
Think of them as gifts in themselves—when I gave fabric gift bags to my friends, they were more excited about reusing the bags than the actual gift. And here’s a stat: The U.S. produces about 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper waste annually. Switching to fabric helps cut that down.
6. Holiday Aprons
If you cook or bake during Christmas, a holiday apron makes the experience more festive. Try red-and-white striped fabric (like a candy cane) or plaid cotton. Add a big front pocket for holding utensils or cookie cutters.
Sewing aprons is beginner-friendly, and they make great gifts. My grandmother still wears the apron I made her 10 years ago—proof that handmade gifts last longer than store-bought ones.
7. Fabric Christmas Ornaments
Instead of fragile glass ornaments, make soft fabric ornaments. You can sew little stars, hearts, snowmen, or trees stuffed with batting. Felt works especially well.
I once made fabric gingerbread men with embroidered faces—they looked good enough to eat but lasted year after year. This project is also great for kids to help with, since sewing small shapes is fun and safe.
8. Quilted Christmas Pillow Covers
Nothing changes a room’s mood faster than new pillow covers. For Christmas, sew quilted pillow covers in festive fabrics. Add appliqué reindeer, snowflakes, or Christmas trees for extra charm.
I rotate pillow covers every season instead of buying new pillows—it saves storage space and money. According to home décor trends, seasonal pillow covers are one of the top-selling handmade items on Etsy.
9. Santa Hat Chair Covers
Want a fun, quirky project? Sew Santa hat chair covers that slip over the backs of dining chairs. Use red felt with a white cuff and pom-pom. They’re conversation starters and perfect for holiday dinners.
I once made them for a family dinner, and everyone took turns wearing them on their heads after the meal. Trust me, they’re more versatile than you think.
10. Christmas Pajama Pants
Matching family pajamas are a growing holiday tradition. Instead of buying them, sew your own Christmas pajama pants with flannel or jersey knit. You can choose patterns like reindeer, plaid, or snowflakes.
My family wore mismatched ones I made a few years back, and we still laugh about it when looking at the pictures. A report by Statista showed that 33% of families in the U.S. buy matching pajamas for Christmas—imagine how special it feels to make them yourself.
11. Holiday Pot Holders
Christmas is all about food, which means you’ll need plenty of pot holders. Sewing quilted ones in festive fabrics is both useful and decorative.
I love making star-shaped ones—they double as trivets on the table. Add a loop so they can hang as decorations too. Practical and pretty: the best combo.
12. Fabric Wreath
Instead of evergreen branches, try making a fabric wreath. Wrap strips of fabric around a foam base or sew small stuffed shapes and arrange them in a circle.
One year, I made one entirely from plaid flannel scraps, and it looked warm and cozy hanging on the door. Plus, it never wilts.
13. Christmas Coasters
Coasters are the unsung heroes of holiday parties. Sew Christmas-themed coasters from quilted cotton, felt, or even embroidered linen. Shapes like stars, trees, and snowflakes add a playful touch.
They also make excellent stocking stuffers—I usually make a set of four and tie them with a ribbon. Guests love them, and they save your furniture from hot cocoa stains.
14. Snowflake Garland
Sewing a garland of snowflakes is easier than it sounds. Cut snowflake shapes from felt or fabric and stitch them onto a long ribbon. Hang it on the mantel or across windows.
I made one with glitter fabric once, and it sparkled beautifully under fairy lights. Fun fact: garlands are among the top five most-searched holiday crafts on Pinterest every December.
15. Quilted Wall Hanging
A Christmas quilted wall hanging can act like a mini seasonal artwork. Use patchwork techniques to create a star, nativity, or tree design.
I made one with appliqué stockings and stitched names under them—it doubled as a decoration and a family keepsake.
16. Fabric Christmas Cards
Yes, you can sew your own Christmas cards! Use cardstock as the base and sew fabric scraps onto the front in the shape of trees, stars, or ornaments.
I once mailed out fabric tree cards, and my friends told me they kept them as decorations instead of tossing them. Handmade cards always stand out.
17. Elf Hat and Accessories
Sew elf hats, collars, or boot covers for kids’ costumes or holiday parties. Felt is cheap and easy to work with.
One year, I made elf hats for the entire kids’ choir at church—they wore them during the Christmas play, and it looked adorable. Costumes are a big part of holiday fun, and sewing them saves money.
18. Reversible Placemats
Placemats make meals feel extra special. Sew reversible Christmas placemats so you can flip them for a fresh look.
When I hosted Christmas Eve dinner, I made one side plaid and the other side gold stars. Guests thought I had two sets of placemats!
19. Holiday Wine Bottle Bags
If you give wine as a gift, sewing a wine bottle bag adds a personal touch. Use velvet, felt, or burlap and tie it with a ribbon.
I once used an old sweater sleeve as a bag—it looked rustic and creative. According to retail reports, wine remains one of the top five most-gifted items during the holidays, so these bags are always useful.
20. Christmas Tree Ornaments from Scraps
If you’ve got leftover fabric, sew mini trees stuffed with batting. Decorate them with buttons as ornaments.
I keep a basket of these mini trees by the fireplace—they look whimsical and save scraps from going to waste.
21. Fabric Bookmarks
For book lovers, sew Christmas bookmarks in tree, star, or candy cane shapes. Slip them into a holiday card for a thoughtful extra.
I made quilted ones for my book club last year, and they were a hit. Small, quick, and personal—perfect stocking stuffers.
22. Holiday Dog Bandanas
Don’t forget the pets! Sew Christmas bandanas for dogs (or cats, if they’ll wear them). Use festive fabrics like red plaid or snowflakes.
My Labrador wore a Santa bandana for photos, and it became everyone’s favorite Christmas card picture.
23. Christmas Tree Soft Toys
Sew soft toy Christmas trees that kids can decorate with Velcro ornaments. They’re safe for little ones and double as toys and décor.
I made one for my nephew, and he played with it all season. It’s a great alternative if you don’t want toddlers near fragile decorations.
24. Holiday Quilt
If you want a bigger project, sew a full Christmas quilt. You can use a mix of festive fabrics, create a starry night design, or make a cozy plaid patchwork.
I worked on mine over two years, adding blocks whenever I had time. It’s now the family “Christmas blanket” we all snuggle under while watching movies.
25. Fabric Gift Tags
Instead of paper tags, make fabric tags that can be reused. Embroider names or sew felt shapes with a loop to tie onto gifts.
When I used them, my family actually collected them as keepsakes. It turns gift wrapping into something more memorable.
26. Christmas Tree Garland from Fabric Scraps
Finally, use leftover fabric to create a tree garland. Cut shapes (stars, circles, hearts) and stitch them onto a ribbon. It’s eco-friendly and colorful.
I once made one entirely out of denim scraps—it gave my tree a modern, farmhouse look. Perfect for using up every last bit of fabric.
Conclusion
Sewing during Christmas isn’t just about decorations—it’s about making memories, creating traditions, and adding personal touches that no store can replicate. From stockings and quilts to fabric cards and pet bandanas, these 26 Christmas sewing projects cover every corner of holiday life.
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned sewist, there’s something here you can stitch with love. And the best part? Every project doubles as a story you’ll share for years—like the stockings that get hung every December, the quilt that warms family movie nights, or the apron your grandmother still wears.
