I have some plain medium cream covered canvas bags. I was thinking I'd like to use them for teachers Christmas gifts. I have this idea of appliqueing apples on them. But, just putting an apple on the side doesn't seem like enough. I'm very new at applique, so I'm not good at creating on my own. Any ideas? The tote bags are 8" x 7.5".

why not put a cute saying on the tote bags with teacher sayings

Using applique? Give me an example. I'm trying to picture it.

Personally I wouldn't use apples. Most of the teachers I know of say they are sick to death of apple things. JMO.

It's not sewn but look at this CUTE bag my friend made-it could be adapted for a teacher:
http://joyslife.com/cricut-word-coll...ng-canvas-bag/

What grade are the students of these teachers??? I have a few ideas that you could use besides applique.

They teach 2nd and 5th grade.

Put an apple on it :)

Would you be able to get the teacher out of the class for a bit....maybe like recess time??? You could have the students put their thumb print using different colors of fabric paint on the bag and then with a permanent pen write their name underneath. I drew a big heart and printed the teacher's name and then the students all added their thumb print and name. The teachers loved it. Did it for all the teachers in the school. Was a hit. Another idea we used was finding a parent who was good at drawing and that parent drew a picture of the teacher (hard to explain how it was drawn except it looked like the teacher's face) with a permanent pen and her name under it. The teachers also liked those bags, too.

I'm a teacher and usually they love their particular subject specialism, How about letters or numbers for maths , sports equip or bunsen flames for science etc?

I really like this idea...how personal and perfect for THAT year with those students in THAT school.....

How about A, B, C & 1, 2, 3? These teachers are all one grade, they teach all subjects to one grade.

I like that idea too. 2 of the 4 teachers are special education teachers. They are teachers that my ds will have every year, for the next 4 years.

what a cute idea!!!

Other applique ideas - crayons, scissors, desks.

I say stick with an apple, only make it a green (bright green or lime green print fabric) apple, use some of the cute fabrics (retro or modern style) with black and white stem and leaves and make the apple big enough to fit dead center of the bag front.

Those are all great ideas, but I love apples.

How about some bright fabrics used to make large yo yo's for flowers? You could applique stems and a vase. Buttons look good as the centers of yo yo flowers.

I am a teacher and I would love to have one of your bags. Apples are never out of style for teachers. Some of the other ideas that you might also include are sayings for education that could be put on with fabric paint, or buy material with educational pictures ( children, pencils etc. and use them, as well)

The size of the bag is perfect for toting papers home to grade each night (which have to done before I start to quilt!)

Enjoy!