Make this easy reusable apple print market bag for your favorite teacher this Teacher Appreciation Day.

Teacher Appreciation Week was the 3rd – 7th of May for our district, however, the twins' pre-school decided to hold a celebration today. I absolutely adore the three teacher's who take care of my little ones. They have learned so much from them, they love going to school, and so that's all I could ever really ask for. And, I was so happy to learn this morning that next year their teacher's are moving to the big kid room with them. Marisol and Flynn will be over the moon.

Last week the teacher's had a wonderful idea of supplying the parents with a list of their favorite things – just in case the children wanted to bring in a little gift. One of the things I've always dreaded is giving the teacher's gifts.  The teachers may look after your children day after day, but how well do you really 'know' them. What is their favorite color, flower, or snack?  So you wing it and get them something you secretly hope they will love like; a gift card or homemade cookies.

The teacher's lists of favorite things read a little like a grocery list, so I decided to make each of them a special Teacher's Market Tote. 

Apple print market bag for the teacher

To make the tote:

  • Double over your fabric
  • Cut out a large rectangle – I used an old tote bag as a guide for size
  • Turn the fabric inside out and fold.
  • Iron the side seams, then pin them
  • turn over the top (about an inch) iron and pin that too.
  • Sew up the side seams
  • With the top section of the bag sew top and bottom (for added strength) around the turned over seam.  I used an over-edge stitch at the bottom and a straight stitch along the top.

If you want to add a little design to the front, as I did, you need to do this after the 2nd step above.

  • Using a template, cut out the shape you want on a different fabric.
  • Make a t-shirt transfer or use a fabric marker to write your message or add a picture.
  • Use an over-edge stitch to attach it to the front of the bag – BEFORE sewing up the side seams, then you can continue with the rest of the steps.

Handles:

I used an old scrap of white fabric to make the handles, so if you do this:

  • Fold the fabric in half.
  • Cut a wide strip (approx 3.5 inches)
  • Iron the strip.
  • Fold in half again (length-ways) and iron again.
  • The new strip should be a little over an inch wide.
  • I then cut this strip in half to make shorter handles but cut wherever you want to depend on the length you want the handles to be.
  • Straight-stitch around the strip.
  • Attach each side of the handle to the inside of the tote by stitching an 'X' and then a square around it.

Inside each tote was some of each teacher's favorite things.

Tote 1:

  • Jasmine candle
  • 7-Up
  • Organic chocolate
  • Target gift card
  • A bouquet of flowers (with purple, her favorite color)

Tote 2:

  • Peanut M&M's
  • Dr. Pepper
  • Borders gift card
  • 2 bouquets of pink roses (in different shades)

Tote 3:

  • Water bottle
  • Bananas
  • Red oven mitt
  • Beverly's gift card
  • Red carnations

 

Please pin this post for later:

An apple print market tote bag for teachers including a guide for what to put into the bag

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9 comments

Barb May 11, 2010 - 12:03 pm

Hi..I’m Barb…Popping over from Tip Junkie.. Great Idea!! My husband & daughter are teachers.. I wanted to be your newest follower but cannot find where to sign up yo be one from blogger. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @
santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
& get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!

Reply
Pam May 11, 2010 - 12:15 pm

I’m coming over from Tip Junkie too…I think that is such a great idea to give the parents a list of “favorite things.” And your gift bag (along with the items in it) look awesome. I’m sure they appreciated them! When I was teaching I got a lot of mugs and homemade cookies. I did appreciate the thought, but it was always nice when they did something a little extra.

Reply
Tonya Staab May 11, 2010 - 5:04 pm

Hi Barb, thanks for stopping by. I don’t have a ‘followers’ widget because my blog is hosted by Typepad, not Blogger. Feel free to subscribe via email or in a reader though using the links at the top of the right-hand column.

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Miel Abeille May 11, 2010 - 10:10 pm

Hi Tonya,

This is a belated visit from the SITS Saturday Sharefest visit. So, Happy Saturday Sharefest!

Great post, by the way! Cute totes — love what you filled them with.

Reply
MageeMommy May 11, 2010 - 7:11 pm

This is so cute! Fun!

Reply
Kathy May 14, 2010 - 9:20 am

Great idea, and well done!
Kathy

Reply
threeundertwo May 14, 2010 - 11:18 am

What a thoughtful gift! I’m sure they’ll appreciate them. That fabric is so perfect. Thanks so much for linking up to Finished for Friday!

Reply
Miri May 14, 2010 - 1:34 pm

Cute tote! Love the I’m a teacher…really very thoughtful gift!

Reply
Cheryl May 15, 2010 - 9:03 am

Super sweet and they look so fab! Thanks for linking up to Craftastic Monday!

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