Looking for inspiration? I’ve got you! Check out these 25 fun fat quarter project ideas that are perfect for gifting!
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The end of October is here, and the holidays are fast approaching—which means it’s time to start thinking (if you haven’t already!) about gifts.
I love gifting handmade projects. When you gift something that you’ve made, you’re giving someone more than just an object. You’re giving them the culmination of hours of your life—the skills you’ve developed, and the hours that it’s taken to make the gift. Plus, despite the assumption that many people have that handmade items are “cheap,” as a crafter, you know that’s not at all the case. Art supplies are expensive! (But if you’re looking for ways to spend less on your supplies this year, check out my Handmade on a Budget guide!)
Today we’re going to dive into 25 fat quarter project ideas that are PERFECT for gifting.
What is a “fat quarter”?
A fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of fabric that is 18″ wide x 21″ tall (or 22) inches. A fat quarter is not quite the same as a quarter yard of fabric. If you go to the fabric store and ask for a quarter yard, you’ll get a piece that’s about 9″ wide x 42” tall. A “fat quarter” is a half-yard of fabric cut crosswise.
Where can I get fat quarters of fabric?
You can get them pretty much anywhere you can get fabric! You can get fat quarter bundles on Amazon (like this one), at Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabrics, and at craft stores like Michaels (like these!). Surprisingly, I’ve also had great luck finding cute fat quarters at the Dollar Tree!
Do I have to use fat quarters for these projects?
No, definitely not! “Fat quarters” are convenient and inexpensive, but you can also buy fabric by the yard (or meter, in places other than the US) and use that instead. I love fat quarters, but sometimes the designs you can find are limited. For a larger selection, you may have to buy fabric off the bolt.
Alright, I think we’re ready to get to the list! Let’s check out the projects!
25 Fat Quarter Project Ideas That Make Excellent Gifts
01. Scrunchie
I’m a huge fan of scrunchie making, particularly because it’s a simple project that sewing newbies can tackle without too much trouble! (I just hosted a crafters group in October 2024 and taught a bunch of people how to make them – none of them had ever done it before, and they all ended up with super cute scrunchies to take home!) Plus, scrunchies are so giftable, whether as a whole gift or as part of something else. I’ll never stop talking about this awesome DIY project!
02. Emergency Zipper Pouch
This little zipper pouch is adorable and would make a great travel emergency kit. Add some Band-Aids, some ointment, a travel-sized painkiller (like these!), and maybe some individually wrapped alcohol wipes. This is great for the car, the classroom, travel, etc. Give it to the person in your life who loves to go hiking or who is especially accident-prone. It would make such a thoughtful gift!
03. Circle Zip Earbud Pouch
This is perfect for that friend who always loses their earbuds or pulls them knotted and tangled out of their purse or backpack. If you want to make this a small part of a larger gift, why not gift it alongside a new pair of earbuds or a gift card so they can pick out their own?
04. Fabric Bookmarks
If you need a gift for a reader, these fabric bookmarks would be perfect! They’re simple to make, come together quickly, and because they’re fabric they aren’t too bulky. Plus, you can make them with any fabric you can find—why not try some fabric with bookish/literary prints? Or find fabric from their favorite fandom so their bookmarks match their books! Because these are small, quick, and inexpensive, they’re also great little gifts if you need something for your students or classmates.
05. Hexagon Table Runner
Admittedly, this project is going to use a lot of fat quarters, but it’ll be so, so worth it! Look how gorgeous this table runner is. For those of you who love quilting, but need a project that isn’t a quilt, this one is perfect for you. Think of how much fun it would be to make seasonal runners! I love this rainbow example, but I also love the idea of a super spooky Halloween-themed one, or one made up with an assortment of jolly Christmas prints.
06. Zippered Bow Pouch Pattern
I love zippered pouches, and this adorable pouch with a bow is no exception to the rule. Don’t let zippers stop you from creating something gorgeous. This bow pouch, paired with some of the other projects on this list (like the scrunchie, headband, or hair bow), would make such a fantastic gift. Or put a Sephora gift card inside for the makeup-obsessed person on your shopping list.
07. Business Card Wallet
This business card wallet is an awesome gift for your friends who have their own businesses; give them somewhere to keep their business cards for easy sharing with prospective customers and clients! Of course, this “business card wallet” can also double as a regular card wallet. Make one for a friend and put a Starbucks or Amazon gift card in there to complete the gift.
08. Fabric Flower
Can you really have enough fabric flowers? I think not! These adorable fabric flowers can be attached to headbands and hair ties, strung together to make a garland, added to wreaths and vases, and more! I love flowers, but they die so quickly. Alternatives like these add a floral touch to your home without the need to keep them watered or toss out the withered messes real flowers become.
09. Fabric Hair Bows
Hair bows are so much fun but can cost quite a bit at the store. But worry not—you can make them yourself for a fraction of the cost! Use fat quarters, scrap fabric, or repurpose old clothes! (Love this idea? Check out my list of project ideas for upcycling old t-shirts!) Hair bows make awesome gifts—for yourself, or others! And because of the abundance of fat quarters in seasonal prints, you can create a collection of hair bows for each season and holiday!
10. Fabric Heart Coasters
I love coasters, and these are no exception. Look how adorable these coasters are! And they’re simple to make, too! You can make these for your own home, to gift at the holidays, or to give as housewarming gifts! Make some for the desk at your office, or keep them at home for your own enjoyment. These would also sell great at craft sales!
11. Charmed Pencil Pouch
This pencil pouch is super cute; the added charm makes all the difference. You can add a lightning bolt charm for the Harry Potter fan, a lion charm for the Narnia fan, or pretty much anything else you can think of. Charms are a great way to customize what might otherwise be a generic gift; include one that represents your intended recipient’s favorite book, show, or place. You can find all sorts of charms on Etsy, Amazon, and in your local craft store.
12. Twist Headband
Headbands, scrunchies, and bows all feature on this list for good reason. These are awesome projects that make great gifts—and they also sell well at markets if you’re on the hunt for your next best-seller! These are great stocking stuffers, they fit in well with larger gifts, but you can also make a set of two or three and have them be the whole gift. Or if you’re looking for projects that you can make and donate to places like women’s shelters, this is a great option for that!
13. Fabric Tray
These little trinket trays are another awesome project that requires very little by way of materials and won’t take you too long to put together. You can use these to store jewelry, coins, keys, etc., but they’re also great for your crafting desk! Make some for the sewists in your life so they have a neat place to put their sewing clips or the polymer clay artist who is always misplacing their clay cutters. I think I’m going to go make myself a few of these right now!
14. Keyfob Wristlet
This is another one of my super simple sewing projects that I love to make. If you can sew a straight line, you can make this. And if you can’t sew a straight line, use a thread that matches the fabric, and no one will know! (Although I do recommend practicing sewing straight lines if it’s something you struggle with. It has taken me forever to get it down, but I love my sewing projects so much more now that I’ve improved in this basic thing.)
15. Zipper Book Clutch
Do you have a book lover in your life? They’ll love this project! Turn an old book into a zippered clutch so they can carry things in literary style. Or they can put it on their bookshelf or desk and use it to store valuables, writing supplies, or pretty much anything else they can think of! Old books are easy to find; second-hand stores, used bookstores, and library sales offer you a good selection of books you can use.
16. Pin Cushions
This is another great project for the sewist in your life! (Or yourself, because, you know, you clearly sew if you’re checking this post out!) Pincushions are such a classic simple sewing project, but that doesn’t mean they have to be basic. This is one of those projects that I think everyone must make at some point in their sewing journey; if you haven’t made a pin cushion yet, give this one a try!
17. Quilted Circle Coasters
Another set of coasters on the list because well, as I said, I love coasters! Fabric coasters have a benefit over many other types because they can be thrown in the washing machine when they get dirty. (And coasters will inevitably get dirty!) These ones are super cute and come together quickly. Perfect if you need a gift in a hurry. Looking to pair it with something else? Why not wrap them up with an adorable mug or some gourmet hot chocolate?
18. Keyring Zipper Pouch
I really love making zipper pouches. I know for some people, zippers are incredibly daunting—they were for me, too, for the longest time. But once you master the art of putting in a zipper, it opens up a whole world of awesome fat quarter projects for you to try… like this zipper pouch! You can use zipper pouches as makeup bags, first aid bags, to carry cords for your various electronics, to hold and sort craft supplies, etc. The sky is the limit for what the humble zipper bag can be used for. Give it a try!
19. Reuseable Coffee Cozy
If you’re looking for ways to be a little more environmentally friendly, this coffee cozy is awesome because it removes the need for a double cup or a coffee sleeve when you grab a hot drink on the go. I always have mine with me because I hate super hot cups. (My mom always teases me about my too-sensitive hands!) This is a great addition to a teacher gift, but you can also make them for your co-workers or friend group!
20. Simple Sunglasses Case
While a sunglasses case seems to scream summer, not Christmas gifts, there are lots of people who wear sunglasses all year round! (Plus, for half the world, Christmas falls in the summer—I see you, Australian readers!) And, of course, a sunglasses case isn’t only for sunglasses. You can use this cute case for reading glasses/regular glasses too. Why not give this super giftable project a try?
21. Small Lined Drawstring Bag
Drawstring bags are another classic sewing project that many beginners start with. Beginner or not, a drawstring bag is a great project because it has so many potential uses. A lot of sewists make drawstring bags that serve as reusable gift wrapping. Make a bunch of these bags in a variety of sizes and put your gifts in them. They’re better than store-bought gift bags because they can be used over again. And they’re certainly more environmentally friendly than wrapping paper!
22. Triangle Pattern Weights
These pattern weights are a great project, especially if you’re looking for gifts to make for a fellow sewist. (Or, you know, make some for yourself!) Try making them with bright-colored fabric, so they’re easy to see. Why not make them in a variety of sizes, too? You never know how big of a pattern you’re going to need to hold down!
23. Square Hot Pads with Pockets
Everyone needs a pair of square hot pads. They’re similar to oven mitts, but square! You can use them to take things out of the oven, but you can also place your hot pots and pans on them to protect the counter. This is an easy project that’s great for beginners, or anyone who prefers to sew practical projects. And if it seems like hot pads are a boring gift, they don’t have to be! Get some fabric that reflects the likes of the person you’re gifting them to. Who says you can’t have Dungeons and Dragons-themed hot pads? Maybe some Pokémon!
24. Zippered Box Pouch
You really can’t go wrong with boxy pouches; I love to use them for pencil cases or art supply storage. Depending on the size of the pouch you make, they’re also great for packing or general organization. Make some to keep in your car with emergency supplies, or in your locker at school. Because it’s boxy, it can store more than a flat zip pouch can, which means you have way more options for how you can use it!
25. Fabric Doorstop
You don’t really think about having a doorstop on hand… until you need one! These simple doorstops are cute, easy to make, and can be customized to match the décor in your home. If you need a quick housewarming gift, this is a great option.
Did any of these fat quarter project ideas inspire you?
There are so many projects on this list that would make awesome Christmas/holiday gifts! And, of course, they’re great for birthdays, teacher gifts, and just-because gifts, too!
If you’ve made any of these projects, I would love to see them! Use hashtags #theserialcreative #fatquarterprojects #fatquarterDIYs so I can admire your finished products! I’m looking forward to seeing them!
For more sewing projects, check out my archive of free patterns and tutorials!
And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram!
Happy making!
