Springtime sewing ideas for students

After a long, storm-filled winter season, the team at Utility Rentals is delighted to welcome spring! As the sun finally emerges, there are plenty of creative ways for schools to embrace the season.

To inspire a little spring fever in your students, we’re sharing two of our favourite practical and fun springtime sewing ideas!

1. Handmade gardening apron

It’s the perfect season for a spot of gardening – so what better time than now to craft a handy gardening apron?

Materials:

• Some old denim jeans and an extra pocket
• A seam unpicker
• Scissors
• Tailors’ chalk
• Embroidery floss
• Webbing
• A sewing machine

Suggested method:

1. Remove the ‘legs’ from the jeans by cutting in a horizontal line just below the pockets. On both sides of the jeans, cut upwards towards the waistline.
2. Use the seam unpicker to remove the waistband, separating the front and back halves of the jeans. You’ll want to use the back half as it has more central pockets, so you don’t need the front. 
3. It’s time to get creative! Use your chalk to mark designs or letters onto the pockets – you could spell out “seeds” or “tools”, for example. Or, to add some visual flair, mark simple flower or leaf patterns on the denim. 
4. Stitch the designs into the pocket fabric. You might want to do this by hand by using a running or whipping stitch. Either way, don’t sew the pockets shut!
5. After creating your designs, sew your additional pocket on. It’ll look best top-stitched between the two back pockets. (If using a machine, a denim sewing needle is best.)
6. Place the elastic webbing along the top where the waistband was, and stitch it to the apron. Leave enough webbing so you can tie it around your waist. 
7. Tidy up the edges using a machine to neatly stitch the ends of the denim – and you’re done!

Source: https://www.vickymyerscreations.co.uk/super-easy-denim-gardening-apron-pattern/

When sewing with denim, we recommend the Janome M50QDC sewing machine, which is perfect for tougher materials! 

2. Decorated tote bags

Tote bags are ideal for storing PE kit or leftover Easter chocolate – they’re also fun and easy to make! 

Materials:

• Four x 35cm squares of coloured fabric (two for the inside and two for the outside)
• Two x 50cm strips of the same fabric (the handles), cut to a 10cm width
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Decorations, e.g. buttons or sequins
• A sewing machine

Suggested method:

1. Lay each long strip of fabric down flat, and fold it in half lengthways. This will make the strip narrower and thicker, but no shorter. Hold this fold with a pin and sew across the fold line.
2. Decorate two outside squares with springtime accessories! For example, you could hand-stitch floral patterns in the fabric, or sew sequins in the shape of an Easter chick. The possibilities are endless!
3. Lay one outside square on top of the other, folding in the sides by 1cm each. Sew along these fold lines to connect the two squares – leaving one side unstitched to act as the bag’s pouch.
4. Do the same for the two outside pieces. 
5. Make triangular folds in both bottom corners of the inside fabric. Stitch a 45-degree line from each corner, followed by a smaller stitch in a diagonal line from the sides to the bottom. Snip off the corner below the diagonal stitch.
6. Put the outside of the bag into the inside, sliding the handle straps between the two layers. Sew the bags together along the sides – without sewing the opening shut! 

Source: https://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/simple-tote-bag-tutorial/

Our compliant sewing machine leases 

We understand new sewing machines can be expensive – which is why we offer budget-friendly leases for schools. Utility Rentals can supply as many school-friendly sewing machines as you need, thanks to our flexible payment options. What’s more, we rigorously comply with the education sector’s standards on leasing – every time.

To discuss your school’s equipment needs, contact our friendly rental team today!

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