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Sew a Classroom Seat Pocket

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Keep your students organized this school year by sewing classroom seat pockets. These seat pockets can be used for a school classroom, home school setting or a homework station in your home. Heck, I think I would like one on the back of my sewing chair. Just saying.

And while I am “just saying”, I have a confession to make. I geek out when it comes to school supplies. Even though my kids are grown, I still love the back-to-school supply sales. I try to justify it because I am a writer and a crafter, but this year I didn’t really have to justify it…much. My son is beginning his first year as a third grade teacher. To help with students who may not be able to purchase all the supplies needed, my husband and I did a lot little shopping. I may have also restocked my own desk in the process. 😉

But I am rambling. My son needed 30 classroom seat pockets and I obliged.

Things You Will Need:

1-1 1/4 yards cotton fabric
Ruler
Scissors
Straight pins
Sewing Machine
Matching thread
Iron
Paper for pattern (optional)

What To Do:

Step 1:
Fold the fabric in two layers with the right sides facing. Cutting through both layers, measure and cut a 17 1/2″ x 45″ rectangle. If making more than one classroom seat pocket you may want to make a paper pattern instead of measuring each one.

Step 2:
Pin together both short ends and sew using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 3:
Open the seams and press. This will give the pocket tops a crisp edge when turned.

Step 4:
Turn the rectangle right side out and press the short edges.

Step 5:
Top stitch along the short edges.

Step 6:
Lay the rectangle on your work surface. Fold one short end over 12″ and pin together the sides of the resulting pocket.

Step 7:
Flip the rectangle over. Fold the other short end over until it meets, but does not overlap the pocket on the other side. Pin together the sides of the resulting pocket.

Step 8:
Sew from one folded edge to the other along one side (pinned) edge using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat on the other side edge.

Step 9:
Clip the seam between the top of each pocket on both side edges.

Step 10:
Turn the pockets right side out and press. Note: You will have one pocket on both sides. The shorter one will fit over the back of the chair.

Step 11:
Reinforce with a top stitch on the side edge, 1″ over each pocket. This will prevent the seams from coming apart due to wear and tear.

That’s it! I hope you and your kids have a great school year!

Enjoy!

More Back-To-School Inspiration:

Back-To-School Pencil Holder Craft

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As your kids head back to school, arm them with a gift for the teacher. No, I don’t mean a bright shiny apple. Present the teacher with a special pencil holder that he or she can use everyday. This project is made using a small coffee can. The sides of traditional coffee cans are now made of smooth cardboard instead of steel. The smooth sides will allow you to write on them without the obstacle of a steel can’s grooved lines.

Things You Will Need:
Small coffee can
Black acrylic paint
Paintbrush
1 1/4-inch-wide red and white checked ribbon
Measuring tape
Scissors
White paint pen
Wooden skewer
White craft paint
2 Popsicle sticks
Craft knife
Cutting board
Pencil
Yellow acrylic paint
Silver acrylic paint
Red acrylic paint
Sandpaper
Craft glue

Step 1
Remove the label from a small coffee can and clean out the inside. Paint the outside surface of the can using black acrylic paint. Repeat with additional coats until complete coverage has been achieved. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 2
Cut a 21-inch length of 1 1/4-inch-wide red and white checked ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the coffee can, just below the top rim. Tie the ends into a knot. Trim the ends.

Step 3
Below the ribbon, doodle the ABCs, a simple math problem and a star on the front of the can using a white paint pen. Dip the blunt end of a wooden skewer into white acrylic paint. Dot the ends of all the doodled elements. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 4
What says “back to school” more than pencils? Cut a point on one end of two Popsicle sticks using a craft knife and a cutting board. This will be the sharpened end of the pencil. Measure 1/4 inch down from the other end of each stick and trace a line across the width. Measure another 1/4 inch and trace another line.

Step 5
Including the edges, paint from the second traced line to the point with yellow acrylic paint. Paint the first section above the yellow with silver acrylic paint. Paint the end section using red acrylic paint. Paint 1/8-inch on the cut tip using black acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry. Lightly sand the painted pencils.

Step 6
Form the painted stick pencils into an “X” shape with the ends separated approximately 1 inch. Apply craft glue between the pencils at the intersection. Allow the glue to dry.

Step 7
Lay the back-to-school can on your work surface with the front facing up. Apply craft glue to the knot of the tied ribbon. Position the intersection of the glued pencils over the knot. Allow the glue to dry.


To ensure your child has a head start at becoming “teacher’s pet”, before presenting the back-to-school pencil holder to the teacher, fill it with an assortment of candies. 😉

Enjoy!

More Back-To-School Inspiration!