A few weeks ago I joined in a Holiday Tag-a-long and when I posted my tags on my blog some of you emailed me with questions. So I thought I would share some of my tips with you all here today.
The first thing you need to do is trace your tag shapes onto medium weight fusible interfacing and because you will be using your lines as sewing guides you need to do this step very carefully. Cool tip: I discovered that if you cut your interfacing into 8 1/2" by 11" sheets you can feed them through your printer, eliminating the need for repetitive tracing. Tracing is my least favorite part of this project so I was excited that this step worked in the printer.
Cut the tags out on the lines
and fuse them to the wrong side of your tag fabric. Put front and back of tag fabric together - with right sides together.
Tip: Shorten your machine's stitch length to 15 - 18 stitches per inch.
The smaller stitches will help make the seams smoother and makes going around those curves a breeze. Sew right next to the interfacing leaving two to three inches open on one long side for turning.
Trim seam allowance to about 1/8" all around, 1/4" at opening. Clip curves up to seam being careful not to cut stitches.
Turn right side out. Poke seams out carefully and press well, making sure seams are open, smooth and flat.
Tip: I discovered that if your tags have large appliques on the fronts like mine do you can sew all the way around without leaving an opening. Split one layer of the tag fabric (the side without the interfacing) by cutting a two to three inch slit in the center of the tag.
Turn, poke out seams and press. Top stitch with matching thread.
Attach applique by sewing through all layers. Embellish as desired.
On these I made photo copies of old photographs and stitched them to felt, then sewed them to the tags.
Here's a neat tip for turning this type of applique.
Cut design out and layer right side to the fusible side of iron on medium weight interfacing.
With shortened stitch, sew on desired line - all the way around.
Trim seam allowance 1/8" and clip corners.
Cut a two to three inch slit in the center of the interfacing only.
Tip: Turn right side out using a Point Turner to poke out corners and smooth seams.
Lay on top of a piece of felt that has been cut slightly larger and iron in place. (Remember the back side of the applique is now fusible).
Top stitch the applique onto the felt with matching thread. Cut felt with scalloped shears* or pinking shears. * We have ordered scalloped fabric shears and scalloped rotary blades - let us know if you want us to save you one.
Sew on buttons. Attach to tag by sewing through all layers - I do this step by sewing on top of the felt very close to the applique with matching thread.
These are so much fun to do and they make darling ornaments, Valentines or gift tags. You will want to pop over to Flickr and view some of the amazing tags from the Holiday Tag-a-long group.Then, why not whip up some tags of your own and Tag-a-Long with us? We'd love to see what you come up with.
Encourage one another,
You can Download Tags pattern here
