Summer Sewing Project Ideas for Kids

May 10, 2026

School will be out for the summer here in about two weeks. CraftLAB projects have already been decided: oven mitt for Mother’s Day, BBQ apron for Father’s Day and a patriotic wall hanging/pillow for July. We’ll have quilt camp right before the girls return for the 2026-2027 school year.

Looking for budget-friendly ideas of what do with your own kiddos? Check out your local public library for sewing and craft books for kids. Look through the Libby app to what kid’s craft magazines or general sewing magazines are available digitally. If you have a stash of old paper patterns, start there.

Otherwise, create a Pinterest board and start searching using the projects listed below. It’s not a complete list – just somewhere to start. You should have no problems finding free patterns online. Be sure to pin the projects you and your kids like so you can find them later. Most of the time, there’s a Youtube video to accompany the project pattern.

Kitchen inspired: potholder, oven mitt, chef hat, apron, fabric jar opener

Travel inspired: quilted sunglass case, pocket tissue holder, tote bag, key fob wristlet, zipper pouch

Back-to-school accessories: bookmark, composition book cover, diagonal zipper pouch to hold tablet, lanyard, reusable snack bags, cord keeper

Sewing machine inspired: sewing machine mat, sewing machine cover, pincushion, fabric bins/storage pods, drawstring bag to hold foot pedal and cord keeper to corral power cords if machine is taken to classes or put away after each sewing session.

Here area a few websites that offer free project patterns and sewing tutorials:
All Free Sewing
All People Quilt
Apple Green Cottage
Fabric Editions
Missouri Star Quilt Company
Sew Can She
Sew 4 Home

Sourcing fabric and other supplies without going broke.
Hopefully, you already have a sewing machine, basic sewing supplies and a scrap bin your kiddos can pull from. Consider using outgrown clothing, and old linens (sheets, tablecloths, etc.) to create an upcycled project.

If you need fabric and supplies, ask your friends and family before going out to purchase anything. Your aunt who’s an avid quilter and lives two states away will be thrilled to send you a box of supplies. Check with your local library to see if they offer a craft swap or have a community craft supply closet available. Or check with a local buy nothing group.

Check your local independent thrift stores, yard sales and estate sales for supplies.

If you live near a larger city, look to see if there’s a fabric, fiber and textile association, quilt museum, chapter of the American Sewing Guild or a creative reuse facility. In Atlanta, we have SEFAA, SQTM and the ASG Atlanta Chapter. All three organizations host “yard sale” fundraisers and destash events throughout the year. We also have a creative use facility known as Scraplanta. They sell donated textiles, craft supplies, office supplies and stuff of all kinds at very reasonable prices.

For the best everyday prices on fabric and supplies for kid’s projects, look to Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree (and sometimes Amazon). Hobby Lobby is another option (and better for fabric IMHO) – if what you need is on sale. Michael’s tends to exclude cut-to-order fabric from coupons, so I don’t shop there very often.

Local fabric stores, quilt shops, yarn shops and art supply stores are another – but usually more expensive – option. A fun field trip idea: plan an excursion to a local fabric store. Give each kid $10.00 and allow them to purchase a couple of fat quarters for a future project. Bring along a picnic lunch and eat at a local park afterward.

Time spent sewing and crafting is good for kids. It teaches them life skills and lessens the amount of screen time.

Deciding which quilt retreat to attend

May 6, 2026

Ok, you’ve compiled your list of quilting events. How do you decide which one to attend?

After the surgeon’s report that my husband did not need surgery at this time, the option to travel is a reality once again. I went through the list of potential quilting events I’d compiled over the past few months. Many were already sold out, including one location where my husband had wanted to tag along. Events with only dormitory style sleeping arrangements still available were removed from consideration.

Four events remained – each one requiring air travel. I kept circling back to one and finally registered after estimating travel costs (a bit of a splurge, but within reason). The draw is that it’s in a city I’ve never been to previously and the event offers classes with instructors who are on my instructor/class wish list. An opportunity to take a class with two of them in 2024 (much closer to home) was cancelled. I’m taking full advantage of this unexpected second chance. This is the type of quilty bucket list travel I planned for in retirement.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about myself:

  1. Cruises are not my thing.
  2. I enjoy solo travel. A private room option is essential – and I’m willing to pay a reasonable upcharge for it.
  3. While I will occasionally share a room with someone that I know, I am not into sharing a room with total strangers.
  4. Retreats in new-to-me locations are given priority consideration.
  5. Instructor led classes are highly preferred where significant travel is involved.
  6. If the proposed projects don’t appeal to me, I’ll pass.
  7. Sometimes, it’s absolutely worth splurging a little bit more just for the experience.

My preferences mean there are events I’ll likely never attend – and I’m totally okay with that. I don’t feel the least bit left out. In fact, I find inspiration in the projects marketed by various companies sponsoring quilt cruises. I can always buy the pattern or kit and make it at home, on sew days or at other BYOP retreats.

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com


Looking ahead

May 3, 2026

May 1st brought welcome news in that my husband does not need surgery at the present time and his next appointment was scheduled for 12 months out. This means travel is back! The companion pass we’d set aside in case we needed it to travel to Houston for medical care can now be used for a fun getaway instead! Mackinac Island perhaps? Time to dust off proposed itineraries, consult our calendars, check the budget and see where we might visit in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the month of May brings a wind down to therapy dog visits for this school year. It also means crunch time to get the Block Party exhibit ready for the June quilt show. So far, I’ve received 21 entries, with a hard deadline of in my hands by May 15th. I planned for 25 blocks. We’ll see what the final number turns out to be.

Our local artisan/farmer’s market opened today for the 2026 season. Sadie enjoyed one of our favorite Sunday morning rituals of visiting with the vendors, sampling water bowls and getting a pup cup from our favorite independent pet store. She also met lots of new friends today. It was great to see a handful of regular vendors we hadn’t seen in several months. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the numerous booths selling trinkets this week. We’ll see if the trend holds. If so, we’ll be switching to nearby farmer’s markets operating on Thursday and Saturday instead.

My backyard garden is planted. One of my cherry tomato plants already has fruit on it! The blueberry bushes are loaded, but I’ll bet the birds eat the berries before they ripen. I’ll be lucky to get a handful to eat. I’m thoroughly enjoying this blissful bit of perfect weather between pollen and mosquito seasons!

By the way, I made 20 additional potato chip blocks from all the 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangles cut from leftover jelly roll strips and other scraps. In total, thirty-five (35) 12-1/2″ blocks came from my scrap fabrics. That’s the equivalent of a 60″ x 84″ quilt top!

Happy Spring and Happy Sewing!