Reusable Fabric Gift Tag Tutorial.

Today I am continuing my Mini Message Bunting Gift Set 3 day series.  Today is day 3, and I will be sharing with you the final 2 projects -- reusable gift tags, and a bunting greeting card.  Now, if you made the Mini Message Bunting, these projects will be a great way to get more usage out of any remaining scraps.  And if you did not make the bunting gift set, I am sure you have other scraps laying around that could be put to use ... am I right?

Let's get started making some reusable gift tags.  I call them reusable, because one side is chalk cloth.  You can write in chalk, and the person who receives it can reuse it, and so on, and so on.  I think it would be fun to hang a small piece of chalk with the tag .... the tag could get passed around a bunch of times ... very cool to think about!  Otherwise, you can write using an opaque paint marker on the chalk cloth side to mimic the look of chalk, but write a permanent message.  The tag could end up making a cute keepsake or ornament. 

I did not really get many pictures taken when I made these, because they are really quite simple (just sew and trim), so if anything does not make sense ... just let me know.

x-x-x Reusable Fabric Gift Tag Tutorial x-x-x

Supplies:

Scraps of quilting weight print cottons
Scraps of chalk cloth
Pinking shears
Basic Sewing Supplies
Baker's Twine (or similar)
Rectangle Templates HERE
Water Soluble Marker (or similar)

Optional: eyelet tool and eyelets, button, embroidery floss

Directions:

Step One ::  Make the Tags  (choose either method and go with it!)

Fly by the seat of your pants method:

A. Sew a piece of cotton to a piece of chalk cloth, WST, in a rectangle shape.  Trim edges with pinking shears.

Perfectionist Method:

A. Print out the rectangle templates with scaling set to none.
B. Trace the templates onto the cotton fabric using water soluble marker.
C. Place a piece of chalk cloth with your cotton fabric WST.  Sew the 2 pieces together following your traced line.
D. Trim the excess fabric using pinking shears 1/4" away from the sewing line.

Step Two :: Get Some String on your Tag

So, we want to figure out a way to get your tag to hang, right?  Well, I say feel free to get creative here and do whatever you like!  But, here are some suggestions of what I did ...

* Eyelets

A. Using your eyelet tool, punch a hole into the corner of your tag. 
B. Set eyelet using your tool  (I like to use a crop-a-dile).
C. Cut a piece of string or twine that is at least 12" long, and fold in half.
D. Push the folded end of the twine through the eyelet about a half inch.
E. Pull the ends of the twine through the loop created in the last step ... pull to secure.

* Poke  A Hole

A. Take a sharp needle and poke two tiny holes along the top of your tag.  The holes should be around 1/4" apart, and at least 3/8" in from the edge of the tag.
B. Thread your needle with your twine (at least 12" long), and bring each end of the twine through to the fabric side of the tag.
C. Tie the ends in a knot.

* Button

A. Sew on a button to the corner of your tag using matching (or contrasting) embroidery floss.
B. Take your Twine (at least 8" long), and wrap it around the back of the button once, and tie in a knot. 
C. Wrap the twine tightly around the button a couple more times. 

And that is it!!!  This project really is easy and fun.  Don't feel constrained to rectangle tags either ... ovals, scallops, circles, hearts .... they would all be really wonderful too.

Enjoy!

Hugs, Sara :)

P.S. Come back later for the card tutorial.

P.P.S. Want to make the Bunting and Eraser?  The tutorials are HERE. 
P.P.P.S.  Want to make some fabric covered buttons to hang your bunting up with?  That tutorial is HERE.