Zero-waste sewing patterns allow us to make environmentally friendly sewing projects instead of single-use items that would otherwise get thrown away and end up in a landfill.
Washing the items and using them repeatedly is also a great way to go easy on the budget. Eco-friendly sewing projects allow people to save the environment and save money at the same time.
Reducing the waste produced doesn’t have to be complicated, particularly for those who can sew. Sustainable sewing projects, especially for the kitchen, are simply swapped out in place of the single-use items that are used frequently. Just wash and reuse!
Making the projects below is a great way to celebrate Earth Day, too. Take a look at the Trash to Treasure recycling and repurposing craft projects to celebrate Earth Day as well.
Eco-Friendly sewing projects for the kitchen
As was mentioned, zero-waste sewing patterns for the kitchen are very popular. Food is moved and stored in single-use paper and plastic bags. Take a moment to browse the eco-friendly sewing projects for the kitchen below. Some items include:
- Beeswax wraps
- Reusable bread bags
- DIY produce bags
- Reusable sandwich bags
- DIY tote bags
Zero-waste sewing patterns for cleaning
Many items that are used regularly for cleaning the home can be sewn once and used over time and time again. Look below for sustainable sewing projects that can be used for cleaning. Ideas below are:
- Unsponges
- Dusting cloths
- Reusable sweeper heads
- DIY dryer sheets
Sustainable sewing projects for self-care
Most people who wear makeup remove it with pads at the end of each day. Imagine how much waste that is when using single-use makeup pad removers!
Makeup pads are only one of many toiletry items that can be handmade and used over and over.
There are many items below to help save the environment and save money by sewing them to have them permanently. Some projects you’ll find are:
- Makeup remover pads
- Flannel handkerchief
- Baby wipes
- Diaper liners
- Bath mitt
- Reusable face wipes
This page contains many eco-friendly sewing projects. Browse the list below to see what else you can make.
Do what can be done now to start on the path to begin a zero-waste home. Mother Earth and your wallet will thank you!
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Sometimes called a soap saver, a bath mitt with soap pocket makes it easy to grasp even the smallest pieces of soap.
Beginner Sewing Projects
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A zero-waste way to cover bowls and containers is to cover them with beeswax wraps. Learn how to make your own bee wax wraps with this step-by-step guide.
Confessions of an Over Worked Mom
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This DIY reusable bowl cover pattern will show you how to make your own fabric covers to save money and stop using plastic wrap. Zero-Waste Project!
Easy Things to Sew
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How to make a reuseable bread bag.
Happiest Camper
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Upcycle your t-shirts in cloth napkins with this free tutorial.
Hello Sewing
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This photo tutorial shows how to make cloth wipes for your baby using either a sewing machine or serger.
Thinking About Cloth Diapers
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Make a DIY dish drying mat from a repurposed old towel. With a pretty binding, the dish drying pad will look so nice on the counter!
Needlepointers.com
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This super simple tutorial walks you through how to make cloth diaper inserts for cloth diapers.
Farmhouse on Boone
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Cut down on waste by sewing a set of super easy reusable makeup remover pads!
Beginner Sewing Projects
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This free tutorial is on how you can make DIY produce bags – reusable cloth bags that you can take to the supermarket.
A Rose Tinted World
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Learn how to sew a produce bag.
Tim Rosanelli YouTube Channel
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These cloth dusters are great for dusting since they are made from polyester fabric, they wash really well, and they can be used over and over again.
Heather Handmade
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Learn how sew a simple tote bag with our video tutorial and also our step-by-step instructions.
Everyone needs tote bags. My some for yourself or to give as gifts. No pattern necessary.
Needlepointers.com
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DIY Fabric Napkin Tutorial. A great way to save money on paper products and start to go zero-waste is to sew earth-friendly cloth napkins. This tutorial will show you how to sew a super simple everyday cloth napkin.
Needlepointers.com
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Make your own flannel handkerchiefs out of an old shirt. They are reusable (zero waste) and soft on the skin.
Beginner Sewing Projects
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Stop using paper to dry your hands in bathrooms. Here is a tutorial on making a zero waste portable hand towel.
Sew Very Crafty
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How to make washcloth or dishcloth by repurposing old towels. Recycle old towels with this idea. A serger can also be used for this project.
Needlepointers.com
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Make reusable kitchen sponges as a zero-waste solution for cleaning pots, pans and countertops.
Easy Things to Sew
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Learn how to make a DIY zero waste reusable kitchen sponge to clean up in the kitchen. It only takes a few minutes to make these amazing reusable kitchen sponges.
Happiest Camper
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Besides being a reusable makeup removal pad, this pad is made square and uses scraps of fabric or old towels so it's also zero waste.
Christine's Crafts
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Why be throwing away cotton wool pads or even worse using disposable wipes when there is a better and possibly zero waste makeup pads.
A rose Tinted World
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This tutorial teaches how to sew a simple fabric mixing bowl cover that can be used on a variety of bowls,
Handmade in the Heartland
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Learn how to sew a rolled hem on an overlocker serger sewing machine to make inexpensive DIY cloth napkins.
Needlepointers.com Associate
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A DIY free pattern on how to make reusable produce bags.
Hello Sewing
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If you want to save money and reduce waste, this DIY dryer sheets tutorial is the perfect reusable solution for laundry care.
Easy Things to Sew
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This bag tutorial is not only zero waste they are a super simple beginner sewing project that anyone with basic sewing skills can make.
Sew Very Crafty
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These sandwich bags are easy and fun to whip up in a variety of fun prints.
Craft Buds
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This video will describe and instruction on how to sew reusable snack and sandwich bags from Babyville Boutique PUL fabric. Save money and the environment by making your own reusable bags.
Needlepointers.com
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These unsponges are zero-waste kitchen scrubbers. With fabric, batting, tulle or mesh and some basic sewing supplies make reusable sponges.
Hello Sewing
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Learn how to make DIY reusable sweeper pads for a sweeper or dust mop.
Heather Handmade
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Don't buy Swiffer pads from the store! Just learn how to make your own DIY Swiffer pads with this free tutorial.
Hello Sewing
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This tutorial shows how to make reusable tea bags.
Hello Sewing
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The perfect eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper towels.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Learn how to recycle an old towel into reusable un-paper towels that can be used instead of paper towels.
Needlepointers.com
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This tutorial is how I make all face wipes.
Sewing Bee Fabrics
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Here is a quick tutorial on how to make reusable sandwich wrappers.
Gina DeMillo Wagner
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In this tutorial, learn how to sew your own cloth sanitary pads.
Sewing Bee Fabrics
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This free shopping bag sewing pattern makes a fabric version of a paper grocery bag, with easy measurement, cutting, and sewing instructions.
All free Crafts
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How to make a simple DIY grocery bag. Even a beginner sewer can make free shopping bag project.
Needlepointers.com
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STOP packing food in ziploc bags and then throwing them away. Make some easy reusable snack bags that are great for school lunches, trips to the park, or even in the car with this free tutorial.
Happiest Camper
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Turn your empty snack wrappers (cookies, candy, chips, etc) into recycled zipper bags with this zipper pouch tutorial.
Needlepointers.com
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It is much more environmentally friendly to use a bar of soap. Here is your eco-friendly, zero waste fabric toweling soap holder Tutorial.
Christine's Crafts
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In this quick and easy tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a reusable Swiffer pad.
Happiest Camper
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This reusable swiffer sweeper pad can be washed and used over and over again. Learn how to make it here!
Sew Much Ado
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How to make a t-shirt tote bag by recycling an old tee shirt. This simple and quick tote bag can be made in less than a half hour and is so easy to make even someone learning to use can made it.
Needlepointers.com
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How to use a reusable muslin tea bag so you can enjoy quality tea and go zero waste.
Easy Things to Sew
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A tutorial on how to replace paper towels with unpaper towels.
Shiny Happy World
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Learn how to make Unsponges – a reusable scrubbing or washing sponge that is so much better for the environment than a plastic sponge scrubber.
A Rose Tinted World
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