Pattern Favourites: 15 Sustainable Sewing Projects

Sustainable sewing means sewing in a way which leaves a minimal impact on the planet. We’re sharing our 15 sustainable sewing projects in this article but you should also check out our list of 20+ scrap busting patterns. For more tips and techniques, visit our Sustainable Sewing page to learn more about topics like preserving your patterns so they last longer and how to shop smart for fabric!

You can also learn about how we make our patterns by visiting our Sustainability Statement.

Sewing checklist:

Essential tote bags
Aprons and teatowels
Fruit and Vegetable bags
Mop pads and coffee filters
Lunch bags, snack pouches and napkins
Bowl covers and food containers
Pet beds and floor cushions
Toys
Clothes!

Starting easy! To ensure you always pack your tote bags for shopping, make them uniquely yours. If they’re also a scrap busting design, even better! Create bags of different sizes for all kinds of shopping trips.

Fruit and veg bags are so handy! Take them shopping with you and skip those single use plastic bags. And use them in the fridge or cupboards to save space!

Did you know you could sew a Mop Pad? That’s right! Use cotton towelling fabric and follow our template to sew up the removable pad, then throw it in the wash to clean. Much better than using disposable mop pads.

How about making reusuable coffee filters? Hear us out! If you’re a coffee lover, you probably go through a lot of disposable filters. Why not try making your own! There are two sizes to choose from.

Making your own tea towels is quick and easy. Unbleached linen is a hard wearing and eco-friendly fabric and you can even make an apron to match.

Lunchtime is a great place to introduce sustainable ideas. You can say goodbye to plastic tubs or sandwich bags with a homemade lunch bag, snack pouches and napkins!

Create bowl covers using waxed cotton to keep in freshness and make leftovers last, without relying on plastic containers or cling film wrap.

Furry friends don’t need to miss out… sewing naturally leads to a lot of fabric scraps so why not stuff these into a ped bed? Or if you don’t have a pet, stuff a floor cushion of pouffe footstool with the scrap fabric.

Ever sewn a memory bear? Make them from old clothes or fabric scraps. They make great presents too.

Did we save the best for last? Maybe… of course sewing your own clothes can be a sustainable option! Choose designs you know you’ll wear for years rather than trends and spend time to make something of the highest quality you can! That way it will last longer than fast fashion.

Go the extra step and incorporate stash busting in your sewing. We have a collection of scrap-busting garments that use multiple smaller pattern pieces where you can play with mixing prints and textures, using up leftover scrap fabric from your sewing stash.