Wednesday, May 18, 2011

teacher thank you gifts

It's the last day of school! When Avery started kindergarten, our district implemented a new calendar that runs from mid-August to mid-May. It still amazes me how quickly the end of the year creeps up!


Avery and Claire go to one of the coolest schools in town (in my opinion) and are surrounded by incredible teachers and staff. I had originally planned to do gifts just for their four homeroom teachers, but then the list grew to include everyone from gym teachers to the school secretaries. I needed to find a way to keep costs down. Enter the zip pouch!


I made 13 pouches, all of the same simple design. They are made out of what I thought was a grey crossweave (in reality it's more blue) and a single patterned fabric for the reverse applique window and lining. Everything came from my stash, including the interfacing and zippers. They sewed up quickly once I got an assembly line going. 


Avery and Claire put each one together. Inside the pouches are some yummy chocolates, a handwritten note from the girls and me, and a $5 Starbucks card for the homeroom teachers. The two male teachers in the school get a Starbucks card and chocolate instead of the pouch. I attached a tag to the zipper pull that has each teacher's name so that the girls can easily tell which one is which.


I'll admit that this is not normal for me-- usually I have grand plans to make things but then run out of time and end up doing a last minute dash to the store for gift cards. I'm happy to have had the chance to do something more personal. On to summer!

21 comments:

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

These are great...the teachers will be thrilled...and I bet the male teachers will be eyeing up those little zipper bags with envy!!

Anna said...

oh my gosh, what awesome gifts!! love the little peek a boo window, is it raw edge? love it. love the details you added to each one, the tag is genius!

felicity said...

Fabulous idea, which I will likely be copying. What can I say? I'm shameless AND lazy.

Heidi Grohs said...

GREAT idea! As a school nurse, I can totally attest to this being a very nice gift. Usable for ANYTHING!
Might have to see if I can actually pull this off at the end of the year.
Usually I go the easy route and pay into the collection!

Ruth said...

These are gorgeous - would have loved to recieve one of those when teaching in the dim and distant past! So much work - you are a star!

Sally said...

These are absolutely beautiful! They will be loved by the teachers! So very thoughtful, too!

I'm also jealous that school's done! I have 12 more days (not that I count down or anything...)

Amy Friend said...

Wow, you are too good! That is one huge stack of teacher's gifts!!! They are amazing and the teachers will be thrilled.

Providence Handmade said...

These are absolutely beautiful!! The crossweave is perfect, and I love the different colored zips!

Liz @ LivingMySweetLife said...

these are so beautiful!! How generous you are, I am sure these will be so appreciated! I just may have to steal this idea! lol

Kathy said...

I love these!!!! I am going to give making some a try for end of the year too!

**nicke... said...

super cute! i love them all. the peek-a-boo window is really a great idea.

Kate S. said...

These are adorable! I have been meaning to try reverse appliqué, this is a great use of it!

Rachel at Stitched in Color said...

Super cool, Krista! Dang, I love the reverse applique.

Leslie said...

these are awesome....they look so beautiful. i know if i was one of those teachers i would be so excited to get a little pouch like that

beth said...

these are adorable!!! can I ask whose tutorial out there you like the most - or have you tweaked one? i can't seem to make the tabs nicely!!

Dani said...

As a teacher, I can say these are tops.

Vickie said...

Adorable, Krista!! I agree. As a teacher, I would love one of these!! :) Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Last year I did pillows and this year pouches. You've certainly made Ford proud with the assembly line production. Impressive and beautifully executed.

Anonymous said...

I found this post via Pinterest. These are lovely! Any chance there was a pattern that you created or followed?

Unknown said...

check here bags replica gucci look these up high quality replica bags like it replica designer backpacks

seapo said...

r4d57i1l21 y6k90g2j97 p1x50z8c57 y7f89f9v51 c0i30y5h47 m0c77l4b87