DIY Luggage tag pattern & tutorial

 

Download Pattern here.
1. Fabric (1/8 yard will work or scraps of fabric five pieces measuring 7" x 4") see pattern
2. Heavy stabilizer- I used Pellon (Peltex two sided fusible white; ultrafirm stabilizer)
3. Coordinating thread
4. Good pair of scissors
5. Ribbon - 14" long. 5/8" width
6. Safety pins to hold stuff in place- but not necessary
7. Disappearing ink, or tailors chalk to mark the fabric
8. Clear vinyl- one piece 4" x 3"
9. Iron
10. Fabric glue
11. pdf pattern

 Trace the pattern pieces onto the heavy interfacing. I actually only trace the "back" piece and then cut both the front and back at the same time (that way I know they are cut exactly the same).

Trace the window for the front piece and cut it out. The pictures show a less detailed tag just for ease of taking pictures and showing the steps- the pattern is a little bit more decorative.

Iron your "outer fabric" onto the back piece. Place the liner piece under the back piece. (to prepare the liner piece I cut a small hole in the middle- you'll need this hole). Make sure the right side of the liner fabric is facing the right side of the back fabric. Use the interfacing to guide your needle as you stitch closely along the outside of the interfacing.

Cut the seams back to about an 1/8" and then notch at the "v" points in the curves. Trace the "window" onto the liner piece. Here is where you will use that hole- stick the tip of your scissors into the hole and cut out the "window" you just traced.

 Turn the liner right side out - make sure fabric is fully turned right side out at the edges. Iron. Cut a piece of the liner fabric into the shape of the tag (use the pattern piece found on page 3~ its slightly smaller than the tag itself). Use fabric glue at the edges of the liner piece and press it onto the "window" on the back piece covering the exposed interfacing.

Iron your "outer fabric" onto the front piece. Place the front liner piece under the front outer piece. Make sure the right side of the liner fabric is facing the right side of the outer front fabric. Use the interfacing to guide your needle as you stitch closely along the outside of the interfacing. Fold front of tag over a little and cut a notch into both fabrics. Cut out a window 1/2" smaller than the interfacing window.

Cut diagonal slits from corner to  corner. Do not cut past the interfacing window. Cut away the liner fabric so its in line with the interfacing window. Apply fabric glue to the back of the front fabric. Fold the pieces back towards the inside liner covering the inside edges of the interfacing.  Next place the vinyl over the window ontop of the glue downed edges. Stitch the vinyl in place about an 1/8" from edge. Cut the vinyl back so its not sticking out.

 Use the pattern to help you mark the location of the buttonhole ( I always mark the liner side on the front piece). Also mark the location of the ribbon attachment onto the liner side (back piece). Create a buttonhole on the front piece and a securely stitch and backstitch the ribbon onto the back piece.

Stack and line up the front piece and the back piece. Stitch the edges of the two together at an 1/8". Make sure you leave the top (where the buttonhole and ribbon are) open. You will need this area to slide your
address card in. Make sure you stop right at the edge of the window or else you won't have enough room. Also back-stitch at these points so it doesn't unravel on you. Slide your card in and then slide the ribbon through the button hole.

You're done!!