Teacher Gift Idea

I am getting a jump start this year on Teacher Appreciation/end-of-the school year gifts (since I have so many to make). The Bee has 3 teachers plus specialists (ie: PE, Art, Music, etc.) and Falafel has 1 plus specialists and nice people in the office. We’d like to show our appreciation for all of them.

One idea I have is to make reusable cloth produce bags. I love ours, and use them every week. They make great beach treasure bags too.

In case you would also like to make these, I have a little tutorial to share.

Reusable Produce Bags

You’ll need cotton fabric, mesh, and cording (as well as a way to sew them).

First, cut your fabric.

To make one bag you need: 4 pieces cotton fabric cut to 3″x17″ each,

2 pieces mesh cut to 7″x17″ each,

Approx. 1 yard of cording

Next, you will sew 2 strips of cotton to a panel of mesh (right sides together). I zigzag stitched mine (because my serger and I are not speaking right now), then topstiched afterward.

Repeat for the other side.

Now place the two pieces right sides together and pin the edges of three sides.

On one side, about an inch down from the top, leave a space unsewn. This will be where the cord gets threaded through later on.

Now you can serge the three sides (if you have a serger), or you can straight stitch all around and then go back and zigzag stitch to reduce fraying. Make sure you do not sew up the space between those pins!

Next turn down your fabric at the top (twice to hide raw edges) to create a channel for the cord.

You will want to have that unsewn space (hole) on top so you can see it. Sew all around the edge.

Almost done. Now, ready your cord. Place a safety pin at one end.

Push pin through hole, and thread the cord all the way through until it comes back around to the hole again.

Tie a knot in the ends and turn the bag right side out!

Insert produce…

OR give as a gift!

You can even add a tag to make it professional-looking as well.

When I was photographing these, I noticed I was being watched.

I think they liked these too.

What will you make for Teacher gifts?

************

I’m linking to: