Handmade Teacher Thanks You Gifts

With all of the sewing I was working on for Quilt Market, the last week of school really crept up on me this year and I was scrambling for what to give my kids teachers. Both of my kids teachers were phenomenal and I wish I would have had the foresight to make quilts ahead of time for them, but as a perpetual procrastinator, that wasn't really realistic, right?!

I knew that I want to do something with apples. I love apples and rarely get the chance to sew with an apple theme, so you better believe that my kids teachers get something "apple" every year. (I have heard teachers get sick of apples, but how could you not love a fabric apple?!)

I loved this pillow that Heather of Vintage Grey Handmade made a few years ago, so I used her pillow as my inspiration. I got searching and realized that the pattern she used to make her pillow was a free pattern offered by Bustle and Sew- perfect!! It's called the Appley Dappley Cushion Cover.

I used the apple templates that were available in the pattern from Bustle and Sew and raw edge appliquéd them onto a 16x16 inch background fabric for the pillow front. I tacked the apples down with just a bit of elmers glue (yep- the white washable kind) and then stitched them with black thread to give it a bit of a pop. Super easy.

I just kinda winged the rest of the pillow and added jumbo rick rack to the edges and created an envelope closure on the back side. I ran to Joann and used a coupon that they have going this week for 60% off of a pack of two- 16x16 inch pillow forms, so with the coupon, they only ended up being a couple dollars a piece for the inserts. Score!

 I made two pillows, one for each of their main teachers and then wanted to make something smaller for their "specials" teachers- gym, librarian, music, technology, art, etc. I saw @mommy2lu on IG made some darling little patchwork apples for Lunden's teachers so I knew that would be the perfect thing. I used the Scrappy Apple Pincushion & Ornament pattern by Retro Mama and I was so impressed with the pattern. The apples turned out darling and the pattern was very clear and easy to follow. Which is always a a plus when I fork out $ for a pattern. :)

I wrapped the pillows up with a thank you for their  teachers and then for the teachers that they rotate to throughout the week, I wrapped up the little patchwork apples with a cute soap from Bath and Body Works and added a tag that said "We could not have 'PICKED' a better (gym, art, library, etc) teacher this year!" to the ribbon. They looked really cute all wrapped up and the teachers loved them when we ran them around the school. 

Whew! Glad that I finished everything up in time! I fly out for Quilt Market in a few hours so I better run and pack! (Procrastinator as always- remember?!?) 

If you are at market, I would love to meet you!!

Have a great week!!

Happy Sewing!

xoxo, Ashley

Teacher Gifts | The Jane Market Bag

 With my daughter being in kindergarten, this was my first official year to come up with teacher gifts for Christmas. She has a kindergarten teacher and an assistant teacher who are simply amazing! They have made her start to school a very positive experience and I love them both so much!

 I thought it would be fun to sew something for them. Handmade gifts are the best- in my book, at least. I love them because they are personalized and heartfelt, so the recipient of the gift can tell that you cared enough to put time and effort into making something just for them.

I've been collecting "school" themed fabric over the past few years- just for the sole purpose of projects like this for teachers. It was fun to finally cut into my stash for the first time. 

I decided to make a Jane Market Bag for each teacher. It was my first time using the pattern and I really liked it. I would definitely recommend it! The tote is roughly the size of a reusable shopping bag, so it is not too big- but not too small. The thing I love most about this tote are the pin tucks along the sides that give the bag shape. 

After reading some feedback on the pattern, I followed one persons advise and used a light to mid weight fusible interfacing for my exterior fabric. I'm so glad that I did that because my fabric is quilting cotton weight so it would have been pretty flimsy without it. The only other modification that I did was added pin tucks along all 4 bottom edges. With the way the pattern works, the pocket panels goes all the way to the bottom seam (which is positioned in the middle of the bottom of the bag) so I wanted it to cut off at where the bottom of the bag "should be"- that way the odds and ends put into the pocket don't end up slipping too far down to create a lumpy base- (this will probably make more sense if you have made or own the pattern). I also love the stability and shape that pin tucking the base of the bag created. The bag can totally stand on it's own. 

I opted to not add the optional cardboard base it was a gift to someone- I didn't want them to wonder why I put the cardboard in there and knew my kindergartener likely couldn't explain it's purpose when giving it to them. If I were making this pattern for myself, I would probably add cardboard to the bottom- possibly even make a fabric sleeve to put the cardboard in to make it look more finished. Then I could take the cardboard/fabric sleeve out for washing. 

I really love the way they turned out, but more importantly, my daughter was really proud to give the bags to her teachers this morning. I let her choose which bag to give each teacher and then we put them into gift bags with my daughters favorite Christmas candy and a handmade Christmas card. 

Well, can you believe that Christmas is less than a week away?!? December has flown by for me! This will probably be my last post here on my blog in 2014 as I plan to spend every last minute with my family over the Winter Break- 16 days of no school for my oldest means it's party time for little sis. I can't wait to just sit and watch them play with new Christmas toys while relaxing on the couch with some EPP! I hope to make a lot of progress on my La Passacaglia over the break! :) So... If you wanna see what I'm up to for the rest of 2014, be sure to follow over on Instagram for the behind the scenes and progress on my sewing pictures- @crafterbynight. 

I wish you all the Merriest of Christmases, and a wonderful New Year! 

xoxo, Ashley