Because life’s celebrations shouldn’t cost the Earth

Sunday 23 May 2021

Applique Zipper Pouches & Bunting

 Personalised Teacher Appreciation Gifts



My daughter finishes school next week before (hopefully) heading off to university in the autumn. Schools in the UK, like many throughout the world, have spent much of the last year in lockdown. Those in the North were particularly affected, with far more closures than down South.  Some elements of the UK press would have their readers believe that teachers have been on an extended holiday over the last 16 months.  Nothing could be further from the truth, my daughter's teachers have been amazing and consistently delivered high quality lessons via Zoom whilst also being physically available in school for vulnerable students. 

It's therefore been a pleasure to stitch gifts marking our appreciation for the fabulous job they've done.  Sewing for women is pretty straightforward but I always struggle to come up with ideas for men.  After quite a bit of faffing (timewasting!) I finally decided to upcycle school badges, previously unpicked from outgrown uniform blazers.




The first 'male' gift was this pencil case.  I stitched the salvaged school badge onto one side and on the other the recipient's initials. I designed the letters in the style of an American Varsity font, which was perfect for both the school theme and masculine tone.





 
The second masculine gift also used upcycled school badges, this time stitched to pennants on each end of a string of personalised bunting.  It's for my daughter's very wonderful Head of Year and, whilst he may not have a use for it at home, he will hopefully find a place to hang it it in his school office.  As before I created the letters in an 'American Varsity' style also adding a red ric-rac trim and yellow tape to coordinate with the colours in the badge.  The flag fronts were cut from an old work shirt of my husband's whilst the backs used old school shirts! 




Once the men's gifts were completed I started on the women's and for these I used a cute pencil case design which I  had previously created as a pattern for a magazine.   






I wanted the gifts to be personalised, so embroidered names on the fronts rather than the original 'Write on' sentiment




 


Whilst I was stitching away I was usually kept company by at least one of our three cats.  Luna also seemed keen to make another appearance here at SewforSoul, so here's some bonus kitty spam!!





 
Thank You Teachers!

8 comments:

  1. Such wonderful gifts, Josie! As a retired teacher, I can say that receiving a personalized gift from a dear student like this would be very meaningful and so appreciated! I've been given everything from already burned candles to stale banana bread to half bottles of perfume to a lovely quilt. It's the thought that counts, and the thought here is full of love!

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  2. Oh my goodness Josie. I have always said and will continue to say...you are one talented person. Love what you have done. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  3. Such lovely, thoughtful gifts Josie, they will be much appreciated I am sure and will definitely make a change from the usual boxes of chocolates and scented candles :)

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  4. As always, these pouches are soooooo nice as gifts for teachers (and students alike)! I know the recipients are/will be so pleased!

    *hugs*
    Kelley~

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  5. These are all so lovely, lucky recipients! I feel a little ashamed of the below standard gifts my kids gave their teachers back in the day! We always managed handmade cards but I think it was usually just a bunch of lavender from the garden as the gift :-/

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  6. As usual, beautiful work. Love your new kitty cats, they look bundles of joy. Their eyes are amazing.

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  7. Wow, these are wonderful creations. The start of the show is your beautiful kitty! Anesha x

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  8. These gifts are just gorgeous. I'm sure they will be much loved and appreciated. I have a few teacher friends and they do get a little over run with mugs sometimes, something different will be amazing!

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