Are you looking for a reusable alternative to gift tags? Did Santa switch to reusable gift wrap, but now nobody knows what gifts are theirs? Does your gift wrapping need a little extra pizazz? I've seen some really cute monogram ornaments at Anthropologie and other shops but why spend money when you can make them sustainably yourself?!
Fabric gift tags are a great way to personalize your holiday (and year round!) gift giving. Not to mention they're easy, quick, and great scrap busters! If you make them extra cute, they could even be a gift themselves that gets used as an ornament or keychain!
Materials:
Free Tag Template, with 2 sizes
Scrap fabrics as small as 3" x 2"
Scraps of ribbon, rick rack, or other trim for holder
Chalk, pencil, or other fabric marker
Pins
Embroidery supplies, if embroidering (hoop, threads, thimble)
Sewing machine or hand sewing supplies
To get started, download and print the tag template. You could definitely hand draw this shape if you don't want to mess with your printer! Cut out the templates (with your paper scissors), I like to have mine on sturdier cereal boxes so I can reuse them easily.
RAID YOUR SCRAP FABRIC BIN LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW! Seriously- I can't be the only one keeping every little tidbit right?! Have fun with color and pattern mixing, choose the giftee's favorite colors or pick colors that match your holiday décor!
Trace the template shape on to your chosen background fabrics. I have not included seam allowance in this template, so leave a good 1/4"-1/2" around the edges if you're trimming them now. You will need 2 tag shapes for every tag, for a back and front!
Making the letters only needs a very small amount of fabric for the small size, so you will really be able to use those small bits! Take the fabric scrap you chose for the letter, flip to wrong side, and with your pencil (or chalk) draw out the shape of the letter. You can definitely cheat by printing out large font letters from your computer if you want a template. Cut out the shape that you made carefully with your fabric scissors. Make sure that if you have a non symmetrical letter like J, P or B that you draw it mirrored on the back of the fabric!
If you're going to embroider your letters, you'll need to pull out your embroidery hoop and stretch some backer fabric in it. It needs to be big enough to reach all the edges of the hoop but it's okay if its ugly fabric as it won't be seen when you're done! I've used an ancient scrub top from my parents closet!
Pin your tag shaped fabric to the embroidery hoop and pin your letter on top of the tag. If you're in a hurry, you can zig zag around your letter on your machine instead!
Start embroidering with a blanket stitch, I used this tutorial for a refresher as I can never remember this one! I used 3 threads for my embroidered look but you can do thinner or thicker if you want!
After embroidering, you'll take your fabric out of the hoop, and trim the embroidery backing.
Grab your hanging loop material, I'm using some upcycled seams that I zigzagged over the rag edge, fold it in half to make a loop, and have the 2 loose ends so they line up with the top center edge of the tag shape.
Layer the back tag over top, with the right side facing in. You should now have a fabric sandwich that is: tag back face down, loop with loose edges on edges, tag front with monogram face up. Pin or add clips so your loop doesn't shift, then sew all around the edges, leaving an opening at the bottom. With the small size, I had a hard time not sewing over my letter a little, so I recommend sewing with the embroidery side facing so you can avoid it!
Trim your seams and clip corners so they can lay flat.
Flip your tag right side out, fold in the bottom a little, and topstitch or do a ladder stitch to close the opening.
Make a whole collection of tags for your family and friends- heck these would even make a nice gift for someone who is learning to be more sustainable! Use them with reusable fabric gift bags, pin them on to fabric wrapped gifts (like furoshiki style), or tie on with a ribbon.
I'd love to see what you make, tag me on Instagram @Sunny_Salvage or Facebook! Follow my Pinterest for other cool upcycling ideas!
As 2021 is coming to a close, I am wishing you a happy, joyous, and safe holiday season. While it has been a tough year, I'm still full of hope for what the future could bring and I'm so grateful that you've chosen to join me on my journey of reclaiming materials to save the climate. So with much love and light, I'm signing off for the year, hope to see you soon in 2022!
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