When it comes to teacher fashion, what do you think of? Does a wonderfully rustic, handmade pencil shirt fit into that first flurry of ideas?
Perhaps there are a range of images flashing before your mind’s eye right now, from whatever drab “style” your high school physics teacher consistently displayed to professional worker-chic to more hands-on outfits (looking at you, elementary teachers who end up reading story books on the floor on the regular).
I’ll bring up an obvious fashion motif and hallmark of teacher style from seemingly the beginning of teacher time: pencils. (Also, apples, but we’re not going to go there today.)
What teacher can resist any cute garment adorned with one of the most well-known symbols of the craft?
Today, I’d like to show you how to easily assemble your very own pencil shirt– for cheap, too!
DIY Teacher Pencil Shirt Instructions
This cute garment comes together easy-peasy. Note: This IS a sewing project. But I promise, if you can sew a straight line, you can accomplish this simple craft.
There are a few important steps between you and this cute pedagogically friendly DIY!
Materials Needed:
- A plain T-shirt
- Fabric (In the following shades: pink, gray/silver, yellow or yellow gingham, light brown)
- A printed pencil pattern (available in next paragraph)
- Scissors for cutting paper and fabric
- A sewing machine and thread
For the fabric, I raided my stash to find the bubblegum pink and silver pieces of the pencil. I procured the yellow gingham shaft of the pencil and its brown point from discounted fat quarters at Hobby Lobby.
(The fat quarters came together in one pack!)
You will only need a little of each color fabric. If you need to have it cut from the bolt, ask for the smallest size available– usually that’s a quarter yard. (Even a quarter of a yard will give you more than enough for this project!)
Cut the Pencil Shirt Pattern
Once fabric is acquired, it’s considered best practice to wash and dry the new fabric before sewing it so you don’t end up with any shrinkage or color leakage surprises on the finished garment. (But if you’re busy, feel free to ignore this at your own risk. I know I did!)
You’ll need to print out the pencil pattern. Open the PDF below and print the document in landscape. Cut out each pencil piece separately. The PDF includes two sizes– just pick the one you like best!
You can use these pattern pieces to trace directly onto the fabric or pin them to the fabric to serve as guides. Cut all of the corresponding fabric colors to match the pattern pieces. ALTERNATIVELY: You can try to tear the pieces of the pencil to accomplish a more rustic, cutesy effect.
You can see from the up-close pictures that I was able to do this for the little pink eraser part, and I loved the way it turned out. Some fabrics are more tearable than others. The angled pencil point had to be cut, however, because I can only tear fabric in a straight line.
Do whichever method strikes your fancy, you crafty teacher!
Sew the Pencil Pieces Together
Next, you’ll want to pull together your tiny, soft pencil by sewing together the pieces. This can be done rather ragtag, but I tried to eyeball it and keep the same seam allowance throughout. I used a standard stitch length. I didn’t try to hide the seams, as the stitching showing through contributed to the rusticness and therefore cuteness.
Pin the Pencil to Your T-Shirt
You have your pencil! A fabric version of the very thing you tell your students to bring each and every day! (Do they listen…? Maybe now they will, seeing this outfit!)
The next step is to pin the pencil in place on the shirt.
This is your chance to “do it right, or do it twice.”
(Sorry. I had to use that famous teacher phrase as a dose of our own medicine…)
You’ll want to center the pencil by ensuring there is equal distance on both sides. Now is the time to adjust and center– before the sewing takes place.
Sew the Pencil Onto Your DIY Teacher Shirt
You’re nearing the finish now, Teach!
The last step is to sew the pencil onto the plain T-shirt. I was able to do this by shifting the shirt perpendicular and sewing it on from the neck hole.
Keep seam allowances consistant and use a standard stitch length. Backstitch and cut off any excess threads once finished.
Relish in the Beauty of Your Very Own DIY Teacher Pencil Shirt!
You did it! I’m assuming you earned an A+.
Wear this on the job and be prepared to field the endless compliments on this cute wardrobe addition.
(Wear it home, even, and remind yourself of your cute style!)
As a former teacher and current substitute teacher, I’ve gotten many compliments on this DIY teacher shirt. I hope it brings you as much usefulness and joy as it has to me!
How Should Teachers Dress?
This is a common question circling the Internet.
My answer is this: Keep it professional but functional. Teaching varies in its physical duties. This profession can often require a lot of movement: There are physical education teachers demonstrating how to dribble basketballs, behavior techs literally chasing eloping students, and Kindergarten teachers getting on the mat with their students to read a big book.
In a lot of situations, office wear isn’t going to cut it.
So my suggestion is to keep the outfit professional and inoffensive while also being comfortable and functional. There’s always the option to dress it up more if that’s what you want, or to dive into the many adorable teacher style options, from tiny chalk and chalkboard earrings to this easy pencil shirt DIY.
Your teacher style can hold the added bonus of bringing you joy throughout the day– might as well!
Cute Teacher Shirt Ideas
In addition to this teacher shirt DIY, I have a few favorite teacher tees I’ve splurged on through my years. Granted, I was an elementary teacher, so these suggestions are more geared toward that age (although I have no doubts high school levels and beyond could also at least appreciate the memories of these dear childhood references!).
The “Read” Reading Rainbow Shirt
A classic, right?
There are generations of people who will understand and appreciate this reference. I mean, Gen X and Millenials practically LIVED for that moment when the teacher would wheel in a bulky TV set on a cart and push in that Reading Rainbow VHS tape. The lilting opening song, the familiar, calming voice of LaVar Burton… it’s practically old-timey ASMR for us.
For those who don’t get the reference– most likely our current generation of students– the shirt simply serves as a cute, colorful and important reminder to read. Nostalgia, impact and adorableness all achieved in one tee. I highly recommend it. Here’s where you can find the Reading Rainbow shirt on Etsy.
The “I Heart Books” Hungry Caterpillar shirt
Eric Carle has to be one of my favorite childhood authors and illustrators. His colorful and distinct style draws generations of children into the world of reading.
So when I saw this Very Hungry Caterpillar-inspired shirt proclaiming a love for books, I had to snag one. Even though I was teaching third grade at the time. You never outgrow the classics.
As a children’s book obsessor, this shirt was a perfect and fun addition to my teacher wardrobe. Plus, I’m hoping it also encouraged my pupils to love books as much as a ravenous caterpillar preparing for metamorphosis. Here’s where you can find the Hungry Caterpillar shirt on Etsy.
Teachers: What are your favorite fun teacher shirts? I think I’m starting to get somewhat obsessed, as I increase my collection. Let me know!
Thanks for being here! Feel free to browse my lil’ blog home at Chocolate for the Teach for more DIY ideas and substitute teaching tips.
