Permission to Play: 10 Ideas to Bring Joy Back Into Your Sewing

Sewing started as play for most of us, but sometimes our beloved hobby can begin to feel like work. When perfectionism creeps in or we get caught up in elaborate sewing plans, we can lose that joyful, experimental spirit that drew us to sewing in the first place. Today we're sharing ten concrete activities to help you rediscover the pure fun of creating with fabric.

10 Ways to Give Yourself Permission to Play

1. 
   Make a scrap project
   

   There's something incredibly freeing about using materials that don't have any expectations attached to them. If you save scraps like many of us do, sewing with them is inherently low-stakes because they're just leftover fabric anyway. You could make a simple drawstring bag, try out a new seam finish, or even just practice topstitching in different colors. The key is choosing something small that you can finish in one sitting, so you get that immediate satisfaction of completion without any pressure for perfection.

   
   
2. 
   Sort through your stash and use something immediately
   

   Set a timer for 15 minutes and dig through your fabric stash. Find one item—a fabric, a trim, a notion you forgot you had—and come up with an idea to use it right now. Bonus points if it's been in your stash for five years or more! This is about reminding yourself that materials are meant to be used, not saved for someday. Sometimes the fabric that's been sitting there the longest turns into the most surprising and delightful project.

   
   
3. 
   Sew a simple scarf
   

   You don't need a pattern, and you can use any drapey fabric you have in your stash. Cut a rectangle, hem the edges, and you're done. But here's where the play comes in—maybe try a rolled hem for the first time, or experiment with decorative stitches on your machine. You could even cut it on the bias for extra drape, or add some hand-stitched details. It's like the perfect low-pressure canvas for trying something new without committing to a complex garment.

   
   
4. 
   Try patchwork or quilting
   

   There's something so meditative about just putting colors and prints together in whatever way feels pleasing. You don't need to make a whole quilt—even small blocks can become pillows, pouches, or wall hangings. We love that with patchwork, there's no "wrong" way to do it. It's pure color and texture play, and you can use up smaller pieces of fabric that might not work for garments but are perfect for this kind of experimentation.

   
   
5. 
   Experiment with improv quilting
   

   This is like patchwork's even more playful cousin. There are no rules—you're just cutting and sewing pieces together based on what feels right in the moment. Think of it like collage, but with fabric. You can make abstract compositions, play with negative space, or just see what happens when you combine textures and patterns. Even if you never make a full quilt, these techniques can add really interesting design elements to garments too.

   
   
6. 
   Try fabric dyeing or painting
   

   This is such a fun way to create completely unique materials for your projects. You could dye some plain cotton to get exactly the color you want, or tie-dye something for a more experimental look. Fabric paint is another option—you could stencil designs, try block printing, or just paint freehand. What's wonderful about this approach is that you're creating the fabric itself, not just working with what's available in stores. It adds an entirely new dimension to your creative process.

   
   
7. 
   Learn a new embellishment and try it small
   

   Pick up a book on embroidery, beading, or appliqué and just dive in. Start with something tiny—maybe embellish a pocket on a plain shirt, or add beading to a simple headband. The key is choosing techniques that feel completely new to you, so there's no pressure to be good at them yet. Sometimes learning something completely different can spark new ideas for your regular sewing too, and you might discover techniques you want to incorporate into future garments.

   
   
8. 
   Combine different crafts
   

   This is where things get really fun and experimental. Maybe you knit or crochet some lace trim for a sewn garment, or crochet appliqués for a sweatshirt. You could embroider details on a quilted project, or add woven elements to something sewn. The point is to just play around and see what happens when you mix different techniques. There's something really satisfying about creating something that doesn't fit neatly into one craft category.

   
   
9. 
   Make a physical mood board
   

   When you don't feel like actually sewing, making a mood board helps you plan while still using your hands. Gather magazine clippings, fabric swatches, photos, whatever inspires you. Arrange them on a piece of poster board or in a sketchbook. This is pure inspiration gathering—no pressure to make anything specific from it. Sometimes just the act of handling beautiful materials and images can reignite your creative spark and help you reconnect with what draws you to sewing.

   
   
10. 
    Make something no one else will see
    

    If you tend to get perfectionistic because you're thinking about sharing your work, try making something just for you. A little travel laundry bag, a bookmark for your journal, organizing pouches for your sewing room—these utilitarian projects can be so freeing because the only person who needs to love them is you. It reminds you that you create for your own joy and satisfaction, not to impress anyone else. Plus, you end up with something useful, which always feels good.

    
    

Remember, play is not frivolous—it's actually essential for keeping our creativity alive. When we give ourselves permission to experiment without expectations, we often discover new techniques and ideas that we can bring to our more "serious" projects later. Sewing started as play for most of us, and that playful spirit is still there. Sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission to access it again.

What's your favorite way to bring play back into your sewing? Share your ideas with us in the comments!