An Apple for a Teacher

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

It's that time of year again - school's almost out! As a prior teacher, I can attest that the teacher's are just as excited as more excited than the kids! Let's be honest. Being a teacher is hard. They've spent seven plus hours a day for the past one-hundred eighty school days with a room full of...let's just say diverse...kids. Your kid is likely the best of the bunch, but then there's that one kid... The least we should do is get that teacher a cup of coffee! Better yet, a bottle of wine! 

Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress

And what better pairing is there than wine and a handmade gift? Ha!


Last summer, I was given two teacher jumpers (remember those??) and was asked to turn them into a couple pillows for a teacher gift. Well, here it is just a couple weeks before school is out, and I FINALLY got around to crossing them off my to-do list! (Do you do that too?? Wait until the deadline is nearly swallowing you before you even start??)

Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress

I considered a dozen or more layouts from very simple to very complex. In the end, I went with a simple four patch.

I cut the denim tops off the jumpers, and cut the embroidered designs into 8 1/2" squares. Then I cut two of the same size squares out of the plaid skirt. I also cut two rectangles from each skirt for the envelope style pillow backs.

Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress

After sewing the four patch pillow fronts and hemming one long edge of each of the pillow back pieces, I put them right sides together and stitched all the way around the edge. After turning them right sides out, I stuffed them with a 16" pillow form.

Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress

These were a really quick project and one that I know the teacher will treasure! These will look great in her classroom reading nook!


Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress
Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress
Simple pillows for a teacher from old jumper dress


4 comments:

  1. Great use of those jumpers! Sometimes we delay until the perfect idea comes along - I think you found it.

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  2. That is pretty cool. Great way to up cycle. I'm trying to figure out what to give my sons teacher other than the traditional gifts. Something for her.

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  3. They look great as pillows! I work better under deadlines, too.

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  4. Yes! I almost always wait until the deadline is near - it motivates me..heehee... Your pillows are a simple design but effective. Great job!

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