At the end of this school year, some of you will want to give a small handmade gift to your children’s teacher. We won’t get into the debate about whether gifts are obligatory or not, which is raging online, but let’s focus instead on small sewing projects accessible to beginner moms and dads that can be made in collaboration with your children!

Most projects are unisex; just choose fabrics based on the tastes of the person you’re giving it to.

Alright, let’s go for the best-of!

The little pencil case

You might say it’s cliché, but yes, the little pencil case is still very useful for a teacher. Even in the digital teaching age, you always need to have pens and pencils at hand. With this small, fabric-efficient pencil case that you can customize as you like, the teacher will be well equipped!

Plus, you can adapt it to make one for yourself or your children for school, the workshop, hobbies... I also have several in the workshop to store all my small sewing supplies and especially to keep them organized 😊 so I can find them more easily. 

In the apprentice dressmaker's basket :

• two woven fabric coupons measuring 25X30cm (one for the inside and one for the outside)
• some fusible interfacing
• a 25cm zipper (or a 25cm piece of zipper by the meter)
• coordinated thread

You will find everything you need in the shop to complete this project

An apron to always have everything at hand 

This apron, tied at the waist, will allow her to always have what she needs at hand. It’s a slightly more complex project than the pouch but still accessible for beginners. You’ll need some precision to sew the piping and stitch straight 😊 to create the divisions on the apron that form pockets. 

I like this apron shape because it allows freedom of movement in the upper body; for teachers of young children, it’s always handy to have both arms free. 

You can also make yourself a version because this apron is also very practical when sewing. 

In the apprentice dressmaker's basket:

• cotton coupons in coordinated colors, one of which is at least 70cm long
• fusible interfacing
• piping
• coordinated thread
• optional a label or a ribbon

The reversible and foldable tote bag

Teachers often carry heavy bags, binders, papers... so why not a tote bag to carry all the materials? The advantage of this bag is that when you no longer need it, you just fold it and slip it into your handbag, schoolbag... it's very practical!

This bag is beginner-friendly.

In the apprentice dressmaker's basket

• two coordinated fabric coupons (at least 90cm)
• a button about 2cm in diametercoordinated thread
• coordinated thread

A corner bookmark

Teachers are often interrupted in their reading, so to avoid losing their page why not offer a nice corner bookmark?

It’s a very economical little gift that will please. Plus, it’s very accessible and super quick to make!

Here is a very simple photo tutorial to make it.

1. cut 3 squares of 8cmX8cm (you can use the same fabric or mix them according to your preferences)

2. fold a square diagonally wrong sides together to form a triangle; press to mark the fold

3. place this triangle right sides together against a square

4. place the third square on the whole piece right sides together and pin everything

5. sew around the edge leaving a 3cm gap unsewn (to be able to turn your bookmark). Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.

6. cut the corners

7. turn it right side out, push out the corners, and press your bookmark well

8. close the opening with a small hand stitch or topstitch.

A cheche, a snood, or a scarf

I wrote an article and tutorial some time ago to make a cheche, snood, and scarf that are always appreciated whether you are a lady or a man 😊.

I invite you to check it out here. 

You will find beautiful double gauzes and super soft minky in the shop to make them. 

A toothbrush cover

And why not wish the teacher a happy holiday by giving them a printed pouch for toothbrush and toothpaste so they can go on vacation?

The vanity case or toiletry bag

A bit more complex to make, this tutorial is aimed at resourceful beginners or rather those with some experience. This vanity case can be sewn to wish teachers a happy holiday. It can be "masculinized" by choosing fabrics that the teacher will like 😊.

In the dressmaker's basket

• fabric
• batting
• a 35cm zipper or a piece of zipper by the meter of the same length
• coordinated thread