Retro Fabric Gift Tags Tutorial - Easy to Sew!

A couple of months ago, I designed a "Retro Fabric Gift Tag" project for C&T Publications using their product, fast2fuse.  This is a nifty type of interfacing that can be utilized as light support for various fabric projects.  I am entranced by vintage sewing pattern covers, and I really enjoy making projects with these images.  As you can see, I went crazy making the tags.  Since I couldn't decide on just one image to use for my tags, I ended up making eight of them!

Front of tags

Back of tags

These are really simple to sew and easy to embellish.  They can be quilted, embroidered or decorated with pretty trims.  And - they can be whipped up in a flash.  These make nice personalized tags for gifts; they can also be used as bookmarks.

Materials:

fast2fuse interfacing

June Tailor iron- on transfer fabric sheets (white)

Alphabet rubber stamps

Ink pad (black ink)

Scrap fabric

Thread

Embellishments such as lace, ric-rac, trim, crocheted flowers, mini scrapbook items, buttons, etc.

Embroidery floss - 2 - 12 inch pieces (per tag)

Large eye sewing needle

Fabric glue

Wax paper or non-stick pressing sheet

 

Tools:

Scissors

Iron

Awl

Sewing machine

Instructions:

1.  Select desired images and print them onto the iron-on transfer fabric sheets.  Allow ink to dry for 2 minutes.  Cut out images.  Reserve scraps.

Fabric images matched up to the fabric I wanted to use as the tag base.

2.  Trace or draw tag shapes onto fast2fuse.  Cut out shapes.

I traced around a mailing tag I had on hand - it makes life much easier that way. ;)

3.  Cut out two fabric pieces measuring 1/2" larger than the fast2fuse.

4.  Place wax paper on ironing board; place fast2fuse on top.  Place fabric right side up on top of fast2fuse and press with a hot, dry iron for 5 seconds.  Trim fabric edges even with fast2fuse.

Turn project over.  Place second piece of fabric on top of the fast2fuse.  Press with a hot, dry iron for 5 seconds.

5.  Trim second piece of fabric even with edge of fast2fuse.  To ensure bonding of fabric and fast2fuse, iron each side of the tag for 10 seconds using hot, dry iron.

6.  Set fabric sheet transfer image on top of tag (face-up) and iron with a hot, dry iron for 10-15 seconds.  Rubber stamp desired words onto the reserved scraps of iron-on transfer sheets.  Let ink dry for 5 minutes.  Cut out words.   Apply, as desired, to front and back of tag.  Apply any additional pictures to back of tag using the same process.

Front of tag

Back of tag

7.  Use sewing machine to attach lace or ric-rac to edges of tag.  If desired, satin stitch the edges of tag in lieu of lace or ric-rac.

8.  Use awl to punch hole in top center of tag.  Thread both pieces of embroidery floss onto sewing needle and bring it through the hole.  Tie the floss together at the edges.  Trim loose ends, close to knot.

9.  Apply remaining embellishments to front of tag; attach with fabric glue.  Let dry.

 Here are some additional photos of the fronts of backs of some of the tags I made to help inspire you:

Until next time, happy creating!