Show Teachers Some Love

Hello there fibre friends! If we haven’t met already, I’m Shereece Nicole of Sew Hooked on Treasures. I love to quilt and sew other quilt adjacent projects.

Coming up, we (who have students and/or who are educators) celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9 in 2025). As much as the teachers, administration and other staff support my children, the very least I can do is give them something special, personalized and (of course) handmade! I thought I’d share a few ideas with you in case you needed some inspiration.

First, find out everyone’s favorite colors. You can also go with school colors. Then dig into your stash or head to your LQS (local quilt shop) or OQS (online quilt shop) for your fabrics. I went with Riley Blake Confetti Cottons in a combination of favorite and school colors. Now, let’s get to it!

Pillow Covers, Wall Hangings, or Table Runners

You want to make a quilt but don’t have the time to make anything large or time consuming. This would be a good opportunity to use already made practice blocks, blocks from a BOM projects or smaller sections from a PHD (project half done) to make a wall hanging or a pillow (cushion for my non-American friends) cover.

If you have the capacity, there are tons of patterns out there! Here’s a quick list to minimize the Google or Pinterest rabbit hole.

Large Blocks	Pillows/Cushions	Table Runner
River Wall	First Blossoms	En Point
Lighted Path	Stay Focused
Let’s Mingle	Missing You
Centered

I created a design based on a tile pattern that’s throughout my kids’ school to make these pillow covers. They can also be used as wall hangings if the recipient so chooses. Just in case, I include some painted clothes pins and Command strips or Command spring clips (so we don’t damage those school walls).

Bags and Pouches

Here’s another rabbit hole to easily fall down! I’m sure you’d rather spend more time sewing than searching, so here you can find a variety of bag and pouch patterns to create. If you see a pattern that looks like the piecing may require more time than you have, grab those blocks you already have made or you can use a whole piece of fabric instead of piecing a block.

You can personalize your creations by printing your own labels at home to add to your projects. This full tutorial will show you how.

Nail File Cover

Talk about “sew” simple! Many keep nail files in their bags or cars, but the files can scratch up things around them. These quick-to-make covers keep nail files from doing that. And you can purchase nice, cute files at Dollar Tree (3 for $1.25). Check out this full video tutorial so you can make them yourself.

Lanyard or Key Fob

I love these accessories! Not only are they great for your keys, but they can also be used for zipper pulls for your bags or luggage. Here are two tutorials from Lo & Behold Stitchery: key fob and lanyard. I used a slightly different method, but I couldn’t locate where I originally found it YEARS ago!

Wrap It Up

If you’re just ready to move on to your next project, you can easily place your lovely creations in gift bags. Buy these in bulk to save LOTS! However, if you’re feeling ambitions, here is a tutorial on some quick-to-make bags (and she’s pretty funny!).

Do you have to give these as gifts just for Teacher Appreciation Week? Absolutely NOT! A change in fabric and POOF! You’ve got gifts for Christmas stocking stuffers, Easter baskets, first or last day of school, Boss’s or Admin Assistant’s Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day (yes, that’s a thing!), craft or sewing month… You get the idea!

Do you have any other ideas? Please share them in the comments below! Or you’re welcome to reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook or by email.

Stitch on me hearties, 💕