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ID Tags – Luggage

June 25, 2009 - By Ashley Johnston 13 Comments

Spunky little ID tags………..I guess they could be used for any sort of bag: luggage, diaper bag, ski bag, etc. I thought these would be especially useful to help distinguish your luggage from a similar set at the airport. And oh so cute.

(Just put the elastic loop under the handle, pull the elastic open, slide the tag through the elastic loop, and pull. Nice and secure.)

You’ll need:

4 pieces for fabric 5 x 3.5 inches (You could use cotton and fuse some interfacing to it to make it thicker, or use a lightweight upholstery fabric. But not too thick or it will be hard to sew through all of the layers.)
10 inch piece of flat but thin elastic. (In some of my pictures I used some cord looking elastic but it was too hard to catch it and secure it with the sewing machine needle. So something flat would work better.)
1 piece of vinyl, 3.75 x 2.5 (You know you have scraps of that somewhere…”now where did I put that?”)
thread, sewing machine, scissors, etc.

Cut out your 4 pieces of fabric.

Then, you’re going to draw a rectangle that is 2.75 x 1.5 inches right onto the back. into the middle of your rectangles. Center the rectangle an inch from all sides, except one end, where it’ll be 1.5 inches from the edge. Do the same thing to one more piece. Cut out the holes. (Ignore my pencil markings…..I changed the dimensions after I drew the line on there. But you’ll cut right on your pencil marks.)

Then, you’ll sew these two pieces together (make sure to match up the openings) with right sides together, but only on three sides. Leave the end open that has the bigger span of fabric from the opening to the end. Clip the two corners that are on the other end.

Then turn right side out, poke out your corners, and press flat. Then cut 1/4 inch diagonal slits in all four corners.

Fold under each edge of the rectangle a 1/4 inch. and press flat. Do the same thing to the other side, so all of the loose ends are turned towards the inside and it looks finished from both sides.

Then, slide in a piece of vinyl that measures 3.75 x 2.5 inches. Sew around the opening really close the inside edge, making sure to secure the vinyl into place and the folds of fabric.

Then, fold the opening towards the inside a 1/2 inch. Press and sew into place.

Then sew your other 2 pieces together with right sides together, but only on 3 sides as well. Clip the 2 corners on the completed end.

Turn right side out, poke your corners out, and press flat. Then fold the open edge towards the inside a 1/4 inch. Press flat. Slide the 2 ends of your elastic at the center of this opening. (Remember, as I mentioned above, I changed from this cord elastic to some flat elastic. Worked better.) Sew the opening closed, back-stitching over the elastic a few times.

Then place the side with the opening (which won’t be as long as the other) on top of the side with the elastic. Line up all 3 sides and stitch around.

You’ve got it. And a new ID tag to personalize your bags. Simple solution………okay, and a great scrap-fabric project.

Have fun using your ID tags as you travel this summer.

Author Bio

Article Info

Ashley Johnston

Administrator at Make It & Love It

Ashley Johnston is a professional DIY costume maker, sewist, crafter, and owner of Make It & Love It. She is a mom of 5 and a wife to a very patient (with the craft clutter) husband. In case you’re wondering, she always chooses crafting/sewing/designing over mopping/dusting/wiping base boards……but bathrooms/laundry/full bellies are always attended to. Whew!

Title:

ID Tags – Luggage

Authors:

Ashley Johnston

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elastic, id tags, luggage

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Last Updated:

August 22, 2012