The rotary pinking blade sounds like the quickest edge! I agree, something by the child should be included, if the handprint is too large, two nicely placed thumbprints would make a nice heart. Also could use rubber stamps with fabric ink, for an option. I like the idea of having a pretty fabric top, and a muslin back imprinted with something by the child, name and date.

I agree with Deedum. That is a lot to ask of someone. Most parents would rather have a piece of paper if their child made it than something someone else made to give them.

I'm interested in 1, also. Add me to the list of 62-(ha-ha). As Cybrarian says, decorate the front, an sign the back.

REALLY??? What are you talking about?? This isn't a grade or reward for them, it is helping them to make something for their moms. If you read carefully you will note that I implied to let them do it with help where needed. I am not an advocate of rewarding where it is not earned and why you want to make this an argument about that is anybodies guess??
The woman asked for ideas not all this other nonsense!

Another cute project is doing india ink thumbprints and making a picture with them. Ie add antenna or legs with a skinny marker for bugs. Two close together become a heart or a butterfly or a snowman. Several become a daisy. Let your imagination run with it.

What poem are you using?

You could still do this but instead of a pict how about their handprint? My grandson's pre-k teacher did that with quilt blocks and it was the most precious thing I could have gotten for Xmas this year....you could resize the hand to fit and have them print their name...

So the gifts aren't really coming from the kids?? Am I missing something here? Your boss is paying you to make gifts for the mom's of the children you work with?

I think I should clarify things a bit:

I work for a private preschool, not a free/public one. My boss (the director) had a HUGE box of 'fun' fabric stash that she bought when she was going to learn how to sew, then decided sewing wasn't her thing. So supplies are covered from her pocket.

As for the Art teacher: I AM the art teacher; I'm not assisting one. What she is doing as far as time is having me do some late-start days and log my time sewing at home and she will pay me.

What we decided on is this: I will take the fabric in and let the children pick their fabrics. I'll come home and make the rugs, but not do the 'decorative' stitching. I'm going to bring in my machine (or she still has the Bernina that she bought to learn on) and let the kids help me finish them. (One-on-one with each child, having them help me feed the rugs through the machine for quilting). Then I will use fabric paint to help the children make handprints on each rug. We'll attach a poem, biscotti and tea-bag to each and the kids will give them to the moms.

Obviously, if they are too rambuctious (or some of the younger kids) they will only help with some of the quilting, not all of it (for safety reasons). But this way the moms will get something functional, made with help from their child.

I'm just going to do simple rugs, one piece for front, one for back, using the 'birthing' method.

Sorry if there was some confusion... we've gone back and forth about how much to involve the kids. For me it isn't about whether she is paying me 'enough' for my time; I'm just happy to bring one of my hobbies in to use at my workplace, and expose the kids to a new type of art - one that isn't just paper and glue and crayons.

Do a tissue holder and ask if she's settle for that. There are two styles on this board and both are very quick. AND VERY CUTE!