Wondering what to sew with linen? Here’s a roundup of inspiring sewing project ideas.
For each idea, I have shared sewing patterns and tutorials to help you make it.
I’m covering linen clothing (including plus size friendly patterns), home, and bedding ideas.
If you’re a complete beginner, I recommend starting with the easiest projects here: the napkins and dish towels. These DIYs only use small amounts of fabric. They will also help you master sewing straight lines.
Contents list:
Clothing:
Home:
- Napkins
- Dish towels / tea towels
- Pillows / cushion covers
- Storage bags, baskets & bins
- Tablecloth
- Table runner
- Bedding (pillows, duvet covers & fitted sheets)
- Curtains
**I Find the Best Free Sewing Patterns and Share Them Every Thursday. Don’t miss out. Join the Email List :)**
Linen apron
This project suits: beginners and beyond. Aprons tend to be loose-fitting and have ties, so you’ll have fewer fitting issues.
Materials needed for this project:
- A medium to thick weight linen fabric.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen apron sewing patterns:
Simplicity 8826
Sizes: S, M, L (women). S, M, L (children).
Format: paper pattern.
This is a classic apron with ties and patch pockets. There’s a womans version and a kids version included. The neck has a d-ring so you can adjust the fit. Beginners might want to ignore this feature.
Cross-back dress apron
Price: £21
Sizes: XS, S, M, L.
Format: paper pattern.
This stylish apron by Assembly Line has a cross-back, large front pocket, and a buttoned back with pleats. This last design feature means I wouldn’t recommend it to complete beginners.
Cross-back apron (free)
Price: FREE
Size: one size only.
Format: printable PDF pattern.
This is a cross-back style apron with wide straps and a large front pocket. It was designed by Tessuti.
Linen apron sewing tutorials:
This tutorial shows you how to make a half apron. This is probably the easiest style for a beginner because it’s just rectangles:
Here’s how to make a classic tie-back apron:
How to make a cross back apron:
Linen dresses
This project suits: sewists with some experience. Making a dress will involve many sewing techniques and fitting challenges.
Materials needed for this project:
- Light to medium weight linen fabric. Thick linen will bulge and stand away from the body.
- Interfacing.
- (Optional) buttons.
- Sewing machine needles for light to medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen dress sewing patterns:
Easy, loose shift dress
Price: $16 – $20 USD
Sizes: 0 – 22
Format: PDF and paper versions.
The Wiksten shift dress is really popular in the sewing community, and I get why. It’s easy to sew and the loose fit means you’ll have fewer fitting issues. There are no zips or buttons. You just pull this on over your head.
I made this a while ago and recommend staying away from thick fabrics. I made mine in a thick white linen. It bulges like crazy when I wear the waist belt 🙁
Loose, gathered waist dress (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: PDF pattern.
This is a FREE pattern by Fabrics Store. It’s a loose fitting dress with half sleeves and a gathered skirt.
Fitted sweetheart dress
Price: $20.95 USD
Sizes: US 6 – 22
Format: PDF and paper versions.
This is a fitted dress by McCall’s. It has buttons, thick straps, a sweetheart neckline, and optional patch pockets.
Simple shift dress with pockets
Sizes: 4 – 16
Format: PDF and paper versions.
This is a shift dress with angled pockets and side splits. The neckline and arm holes are finished with bias binding.
Mock wrap dress with buttons
Price: $20.95 USD
Sizes: US 6 – 22
Format: PDF and paper versions.
This is a mock wrap dress pattern by Butterick. It has buttons that don’t open and 2 sleeve options. I love the gently flared skirt.
Linen dress sewing tutorial:
Here’s how to make a simple, loose-fitting dress using linen.
The Youtuber finished the V-neck by rolling the fabric twice and straight stitching. I recommend using a facing or bias binding instead to avoid stretching out the neckline.
She starts the tutorial at 1:10:
Linen tops & tunics
This project suits: sewists with some experience. Sewing clothes comes with many fitting challenges.
Materials needed for this project:
- Light to medium weight linen fabric. Thick linen will bulge and stand away from the body.
- Interfacing for collars, cuffs, and button plackets.
- (Optional) buttons.
- Sewing machine needles for light to medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen top & tunic sewing patterns:
Simple, boxy crop top (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: PDF pattern
This is a simple top with a round neckline and cuff sleeves. It suits a lightweight fabric.
Button-down shirt (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: PDF pattern
This is a classic button-down shirt with a relaxed fit. It has a point collar, sleeve cuffs, and a back yoke.
Collarless shirt (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: PDF pattern
This is a high-low shirt with no collar. It has patch pockets, buttons, and cuffs.
Mandarin collar tunic (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: PDF pattern
This tunic sewing pattern has a crisp mandarin collar and open placket.
Linen top sewing tutorials:
This is how to make a simple boxy linen top:
This is how to sew a button-down shirt. I don’t recommend it for beginners. She starts the tutorial at 2:35.
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Linen pants / trousers
Finding the right pant design that suits linen is tricky.
You probably want to avoid a pants style that needs drape. Medium to thick linens don’t drape well, they tend to stand away from the body.
You’ll probably also notice a lot of wrinkling around your bottom, crotch, and knees. If you hate the look of wrinkles, I would stay away from linen pants!
Thicker weight linen will wrinkle less dramatically than a lighter weight one.
I also think dark colored pants hide wrinkles more.
This project suits: sewists with some experience. Pant fitting comes with some challenges. You’ll also have to insert a zipper, button closure, or elastic waistband.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium weight linen fabric.
- Interfacing for the waistband.
- Elastic, zip, or buttons.
- A pants sewing pattern, or you can trace existing pants.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen pants sewing patterns:
Elastic waistband pants: Simplicity S8841
Sizes: US 6 – 22
Format: paper pattern.
These are easy-to-sew, pull-on pants. You can choose the wide or slim-leg designs. They both come in 2 lengths. There’s also an optional tie belt and cargo pockets.
Wide leg pants with side zip
Sizes: 4 – 30
Format: PDF & paper versions.
These wide leg pants have a shaped waistband, invisible side zip, and darts. This creates a much cleaner look than an elastic waistband. However, it also means I don’t recommend it for complete beginners.
Linen pants sewing tutorials:
If you’re making pants with elastic, here’s 2 ways to make an elastic waistband:
If your pants need a side zip, here’s how to sew it in:
Linen shorts
This project suits: sewists with some experience.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium weight linen.
- Interfacing for the waistband.
- (Optional) elastic for the waistband.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen shorts sewing patterns:
Pleated shorts with elastic back (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: PDF pattern.
This is a FREE pattern by Fabrics Store. It has 4 pockets, pleats, a flat waistband at the front, and an elastic waistband at the back. This means you can pull these shorts on. No zipper or buttons needed.
Paper-bag waist shorts
Sizes: AUS 4 – 30
Format: PDF & paper versions.
This is a relaxed “paper-bag waist” shorts pattern. It has large front pockets, a belt, and it’s loose-fitting around the thighs. I recommend light to medium weight linen for this. A thick linen will bulge a lot with all this extra fabric.
Linen shorts sewing tutorial:
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Linen pajamas (top & pants)
This project suits: sewists with some experience. I think the collars, piping, and button plackets will be frustrating for a beginner.
Materials needed for this project:
- A light to medium weight linen or cotton/linen blend fabric.
- A pajama sewing pattern.
- Buttons.
- Interfacing for the collar and cuffs.
- Elastic for the pants waistband, or you could just use a drawstring.
- Piping (optional).
- Sewing machine needles for light to medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen pajama sewing patterns:
Pajama set with shorts
Price: $16 – $18
Sizes: US 0 – 20
Format: PDF & paper versions.
This is the Carolyn Pajama by Closet Case Patterns. It has piping, 3 sleeve options, and an option to do pants or shorts. FYI, the pants have a faux fly design that I don’t love. I just skip the fly when I sew this pattern.
Linen pajama set (free)
Price: FREE
Sizes: 0/2 – 28/30
Format: printable PDF.
This is a free pattern by Fabric Store. The picture shows it made in linen. The design has a notched collar, button down front, a patch pocket, and the pants have an elastic waist.
Pajama sewing tutorials:
This is a short, to-the-point tutorial on how to sew pajama pants:
These 2 sew-a-long videos are following the PJ set sewing pattern by Closet Case Patterns:
Linen napkins
This project suits: complete beginners and beyond. This simple project will teach you how to sew straight lines, neaten raw edges, and you won’t have to buy much fabric for it.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium weight linen fabric.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen napkin sewing tutorials:
This is a napkin tutorial with neat mitered corners:
This tutorial shows you 3 different napkin styles. I think the best one for beginners is the “folded napkin” style that starts at 0:58.
Linen dish towel / tea towel
This project suits: complete beginners and beyond. This project just involves neatening the edges of a rectangle.
I love that this is a useful beginner project. You can sew these in 5-15 minutes and start using them immediately to dry dishes and clean up.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium weight linen fabric.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen dish towel sewing tutorial:
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Linen pillow / cushion cover
The classic pillow! A fantastic starter project for beginners. It’s simple to do and you get a useful item out of it.
This project suits: complete beginners and beyond.
If you’re a beginner, I recommend envelope style pillows. For more experienced sewers, a zip will create a neat, professional finish.
Materials needed for this project:
- A medium or thick linen fabric.
- (Optional) a zipper (Amazon link). The length you need depends on how big you want your pillow to be.
- (Optional) A zipper foot for a sewing machine (Amazon link).
- (Optional) If you want to use an invisible zipper, I highly recommend getting an invisible zipper foot (Amazon link). Without it, you’ll struggle to sew close to the zipper teeth.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen pillow sewing tutorials:
This is a tutorial for an envelope style pillow. I recommend this for beginners:
Here’s a pillow tutorial with an invisible zipper. I love what a neat and professional finish this gives. I know some people struggle with invisible zippers, but with an invisible zipper foot it’s much easier:
Here’s how to add a normal zipper into a pillow:
Linen storage bags, baskets & bins
This project suits: beginners and beyond. If you’re making a storage bin, the key to success will be what interfacing you pick.
If you’re a complete beginner, I would not do this project yet. It involves too many materials and techniques, and working with 3D shapes isn’t as easy as sewing flat material.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium to thick linen fabric.
- Interfacing.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen storage sewing tutorials:
Here’s how to sew a storage cube with handles. This video is really well explained:
Here’s a tutorial to help you make fabric storage bins. I recommend using a stiffer interfacing than she did. It will give you a more stable, sturdy bin:
How to sew a bread bag. Keep your bread fresher for longer:
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Linen tablecloth
This project suits: beginners and beyond. This project mostly involves neatening the edges of a giant rectangle. I think the biggest challenge will be learning how to measure, cut, and sew a large piece of fabric.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium to heavy weight linen fabric.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen tablecloth sewing tutorials:
Here’s an easy tutorial on how to make a rectangular tablecloth:
Here’s how to make a pleated, farmhouse style tablecloth:
Linen table runner
If making a full tablecloth is too much work, a tablerunner is a quicker and easier way to dress up your dining table.
This project suits: beginners and beyond. This DIY involves basic techniques like sewing a seam and neatening raw edges.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium to thick linen fabric.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen table runner sewing tutorial:
This is a clear tutorial. If you’re a beginner, feel free to skip the flat felled seam at 1:24. You can finish the raw edge with a zig zag stitch to stop fraying instead.
**I Find the Best Free Sewing Patterns and Share Them Every Thursday. Don’t miss out. Join the Email List :)**
Linen bedding (pillows, duvet covers, fitted sheets)
A matching bed linen set that perfectly fits your bed will look lovely.
This project suits: beginners and beyond. The techniques are quite basic, but there’s a lot of fabric to handle in these projects.
Materials needed for this project:
- Medium weight linen fabric.
- Sewing machine needles for medium weight fabric. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link). These are designed for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen bedding sewing tutorials:
Here’s how to make a DIY duvet cover and pillows with cute ties:
Here’s how to make a fitted bed sheet with elastic:
Linen curtains
The texture of linen is a beautiful way to make plain curtains look more interesting.
Linen curtains are also an easy way to get involved in the modern farmhouse trend.
This project suits: beginners and beyond. A single layer curtain mostly involves neatening the edges of a giant rectangle. Depending on how you attach it to your curtain rod and whether you need lining, it could get more complicated.
Materials needed for this project:
- You can choose a single layer of thin, loosely woven linen for an ethereal, see-through curtain.
- Or thicker linen with a lining for more privacy.
- Sewing machine needles. I recommend Schmetz 130/705H needles in size #80 (Amazon link) for light to medium weight fabrics. If you want to sew with thicker materials, go for size #90 (Amazon link).
Linen curtain sewing tutorial:
Here’s how to sew a simple, single-layer curtain with ties: