Top 10 Weekend Projects to Build Your Crafting Skills

Weekend projects are perfect for building skills without getting overwhelmed. This curated list includes accessible projects across multiple disciplines that teach foundational techniques and leave you with a finished object to enjoy or gift.

'Short projects compound skill in a way that long projects sometimes don't.'

1. Hand-stitched leather card wallet Learn cutting, skiving, and saddle stitch in a single evening. Materials: small leather hide, thread, needles. Outcome: a durable, personalized wallet.

2. Block-printed tea towel Design a simple motif, carve a linoleum block, and print a set of tea towels. Skills: carving, registration, ink handling.

3. Indigo-dyed scarf Create a small vat dye session and experiment with folding and shibori resist techniques. Skills: vat dye handling, resist patterning.

4. Simple wooden box Build a small dovetail or butt-jointed box to practice measuring, cutting, and finishing. Skills: joinery, sanding, finishing.

5. Botanical eco-printed napkins Use gathered leaves to transfer patterns onto linen or cotton. Skills: mordanting, bundling, steaming.

6. Felted soap Wrap a bar of soap in wool and wet-felt to make a gentle exfoliating soap wrap. Skills: wet felting, fiber layering.

7. Stitched fabric journal Sew signatures into a hand-formed cover using Coptic or pamphlet stitch. Skills: paper folding, sewing, bookbinding basics.

8. Embroidered hoop art Practice basic embroidery stitches and create a small framed piece for wall display. Skills: stitch variety, composition.

9. Simple macramé plant hanger Learn square knots, lark's head, and finishes for a functional sculptural piece. Skills: knotting, tension control.

10. Beeswax candle set Create rolled or dipped beeswax candles with natural wicks and molds. Skills: working with wax, wick selection, scenting.

How to plan a successful weekend project

Choose a project with clear steps and a manageable materials list. Set aside an uninterrupted block of time and prepare your workspace in advance. Use templates and checklists to avoid mid-project stops for missing tools. Document progress with photos and notes to speed up future projects.

Skill progression

Rotate through projects that target different techniques: one weekend for a textile skill, one for wood joinery, one for surface design. This cross-training builds a more adaptable craft practice and keeps motivation high.

Community and sharing

Share finished projects with local craft groups or online communities for feedback and encouragement. Consider hosting a swap or pop-up to exchange small pieces with other makers and gain exposure.

Final encouragement

Small wins add up. These weekend projects are designed to give you practical skills and the satisfaction of making something tangible in a short time. Pick one that excites you, gather your materials, and set a timer — you'll be surprised how much you can accomplish in a weekend.