Monogram Luggage Tag Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm going to show you how to make this monogram luggage tag.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Scrap cotton fabric in two different colors/prints and matching/coordinating thread
• Small piece of clear vinyl (3.5 by 3.5 inches)
• You may have some vinyl at home you can use... usually bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and bed sets come in vinyl packaging. I used vinyl from the "window" of an old sweater bag. 
• Small piece of fusible interfacing (3.5 by 3.5 inches)
• Small piece of fleece or batting (4 by 3.5 inches) (optional)
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Pen/Pencil/Fabric Marker
• Iron
• Ruler
• Paper

Step 1- Cut:

• Cut two rectangles of your background fabric, each measuring 3.5 inches by 4 inches.

• Cut a piece of fleece or batting measuring 3.5 inches by 4 inches. This is optional and is used only to give your luggage tag a little bit of weight and thickness.
• Cut a piece of clear vinyl measuring 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This will be used as your "window/pocket" for your address card.
• Cut a piece of your accent fabric 1 inch by 3.5 inches. This will be used to "finish" and accent your "window/pocket".
• Cut a piece of your accent fabric 1.5 inches by 14 inches. This will be used for your strap.
• Cut a piece of your accent fabric 4 inches by 4 inches. This will be used for creating your monogram.
• Cut a piece of interfacing 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This will be used for creating your monogram.

Step 2- Create your monogram:

• Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your 4 inch by 4 inch accent fabric, according to the interfacing manufacturers instructions. Trim extra fabric.
• On a piece of paper either print out your monogram (I chose the letter "S" and used Arial font, size 210) or draw the letter freehand. 
• Cut out the letter.
• Place the letter upside down on the wrong side of your accent fabric (the side with the interfacing) and trace around the letter.

• Cut out the letter.
• Place your background fabric on top of your fleece/batting (right side facing up). Then place your cut out letter on top of your background fabric in the center of the rectangle (again, right side facing up). Pin the three fabrics together (monogram, background fabric, fleece/batting).
• Note, in this tutorial I placed the monogram such that it is horizontal to the tag, but you can also place the monogram vertically. Going forward I think I will place the monogram vertically. It makes it easier to read when it's on the luggage.
• Sew your monogram in place either by hand or using your sewing machine.
• Finish the right edge of the sewn monogram rectangle by folding in about an 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch and sewing in place.  

• Now the front of your luggage tag is complete. Set aside.

 Step 3- Create your "window/pocket":

• In this step we will prepare the "window/pocket" of the luggage tag where you can insert your contact information.
• Take your accent fabric that measures 1 inch by 3.5 inches and fold in half such that it measures 1/2 inch by 3.5 inches, wrong sides facing each other and iron.

• Open up the fold and then fold each edge into the center and iron. (The picture below shows how to fold one edge into the center fold.)

• Then fold in half again and iron. This will result in a small strip of bias tape, measuring 1/4 inch by 3.5 inches.
• Place one edge of the vinyl into the center (open end) of the bias tape, pin in place and sew.

• Place the vinyl piece on top of your remaining background fabric, such that the vinyl piece is 3/4 inch away from the edge.

• Pin in place. Sew the two pieces together (vinyl and background fabric) along the sides and bottom of the vinyl (like in the picture below) with an 1/8 of an inch seam allowance. Do not sew the "window/pocket" across the top! Only sew the sides and bottom. Trim off any excess vinyl.

• Finish the top side of the background rectangle (the side closest to the opening of the window/pocket), by folding the edge down 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch and sewing in place (just like you did at the end of step 2).

Step 4- Sew both sides of the tag together:

• Place the "window/pocket" piece of your luggage tag face down on top of the right side of the monogram piece (both pieces should be right side facing each other). The two finished edges should be together and the remaining raw edges should be together. Pin in place.
• Sew along the raw edges, leaving about a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

• Trim excess fabric.

• Turn inside out.
• If you feel the vinyl window/pocket is loose, top stitch the sides and bottom of the window/pocket in place, pulling the vinyl as taut as you can. 

Step 5- Create your strap:

• Take your accent fabric that measures 1.5 inches by 14 inches and fold in half such that it measures 3/4 inches by 14 inches, wrong sides facing each other and iron.
• Then just like how we created bias tape in step 3, follow the same steps... open up the fold and then fold each end into the center and iron.
• Then fold in half again and iron. This will result in a strip of bias tape, measuring 3/8 inches by 14 inches.
• Sew the fold close. Then sew along the opposite side for decoration. 
• Now your strap is complete.

Step 6- Shape the tag and add the strap:

• To add a little bit of shape to your tag, push the two open corners of the tag in. 

• Fold the strap in half and place the ends of the strap in the center of the tag, between the two layers (monogram layer and "window/pocket" layer) about 3/4 of an inch down. Pin in place.

• Top stitch around the entire opening.
• Now your tag is complete!

• Insert a small piece of card stock or paper in the window/pocket that can be used to write in the owner's contact information.

To use: Pull the strap of the luggage tag under the handle of the luggage. Then, lift the tag portion over the handle and insert through the strap. Pull to tighten. Voila! Your luggage tag is nice and secure!

This is a great gift to give to family and friends who travel often. It's something for them to remember you by while they travel and it also makes their luggage more noticeable while it's coming off the conveyor belt at the airport.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Please leave me a comment with your thoughts and/or questions.

Best wishes,

Zaineb 

Fabric Trinket Bowl Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm going to share with you how to make this cute fabric trinket bowl.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Fabric and matching/coordinating thread
• Small round plate or bowl (or a circle measuring 6.75 inches in diameter)
• Smaller round plate or bowl (or a circle measuring 3.5 inches in diameter)
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Pen/Pencil/Fabric Marker

Step 1- Cut:

• Trace the small plate or bowl on the wrong side of your fabric and cut it out.
• Repeat, so that you have two circles the same size.

Step 2- Pin and Sew:

• Pin the two pieces of fabric right-sides together. While pining, mark a three-inch gap (see the two blue pins below).

• Sew around the edges a half-inch from the outer edge (see yellow-dotted line in picture below), leaving a three-inch gap.

• Then cut notches slightly above the sewn line. Don't cut the notches too deep!

• Then turn the fabric inside-out. 
• Top stitch the gap close and continue to top stitch along the entire border.

Step 3- Trace and Sew:

• Place the smaller plate or bowl in the center of your sewn circle.

• Trace around the smaller plate or bowl and then stitch along the smaller circle. 

Step 4- Make your marks:

• Make eight equally spaced lines from the inner circle to the outer circle. See the red lines in the figure below. 
• Then draw two lines forming a V-shape radiating from where the red line meets the inner circle, for each of the eight lines. See the blue-dotted lines in the figure below.

Step 5- Pinch and sew:

• Pinch each set of the two blue-dotted lines together and sew along the blue-dotted line.

• Repeat this for each set of blue-dotted lines.
• Once you're done with all eight sides, open and shape the bowl.

Now you're done! Use to hold your trinkets or fill with candy and give it to your friends.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Fancy Envelope Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm going to share with you how to make fancy envelopes. I know this isn't a party favor type of gift, but we often need fancy envelopes for occasions that request "no boxed gifts".

This envelope only takes minutes to make and can be customized to fit any occasion.

Let's get started!

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Decorative paper (8.5 by 8.5 inches)
• Ribbon (30 inches)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Marker
• Scrap paper for envelope lining (optional)

Step 1- Cut and Crease:

• Download this template and cut it out (cut along the solid line).
• Trace the template on the back of your decorative paper and cut.
• Crease where indicated (dotted lines on template). Crease such that the flap close towards the back of the decorative paper.

Step 2- Add a Liner (optional):

•  If you would like to add a liner (so that your check or cash cannot be seen, or to add something pretty to the inside of the envelope), cut a piece of scrap paper 3 1/8 by 7.5 inches.
• Glue the liner to the back of the decorative paper between the top and bottom creases, with the right side of the liner facing up.

Step 3- Glue Envelope Together:

• Fold in the two short flaps on either side of the envelopes and add a little glue to the front of the flap (starting 1 inch from the top and going all the way to the bottom). 
• Then fold the bottom flap and hold in place.

Step 4- Add Ribbon:

• Cut ribbon into two pieces, each 15 inches long.
• Find the center of each ribbon and place it on the center of the front of the envelope (make sure the top flap is closed).
• Glue the ribbon on top of the envelope approximately 1/2 inch from each edge.

Now the envelope is complete! To use the envelope, add some cash, a check, or a gift card along with a note and then tie the ribbons (trim excess ribbon). You may wand to add a little bit of two sided-tape if the top flap doesn't lay flat.

Here's what the front of the envelope looks like when the envelope is closed:

 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Building Creative Confidence

Hi Everyone!

Today I want to share this TED video with you. In this video, David Kelly talks about how we all can build our creative confidence.

This video really resonated with me because up until recently, I always thought of myself as analytical and not creative (assuming that I could either be one of the two). Now I realize that creativity is a process and that with hard work and determination, I can awaken my creative side.

I hope you enjoyed this video!

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Beautiful Ring Box Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I want to share with you how to transform an ordinary cardboard jewelry box into a beautiful ring box.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Cardboard jewelry box (I used one I received from a Macy's store)
• Decorative paper (I used a floral design for the lid and construction paper for the bottom)
• Foam (I recycled some I received from a package in the mail, but you can also buy foam at JoAnn Fabrics)
• Ruler
• Glue stick
• Laminating self-seal paper
• Craft knife
• Scissors
• Cutting board
• Pencil 

Step 1- Wrapping the box with paper and laminating paper:

• a. Place the lid of your box face down on the wrong side of your decorative paper and trace.
• b. Measure and draw a one inch border along all sides of the box you just traced.

• c. Cut along the outer border and cut out the small square boxes at each corner.

• d. Put glue on the lid of the box and then place the lid in the center of cut decorative paper.
• e. Put glue on one tab and fold the tab up and around the "lip" of the lid.
• f. Continue this for the remaining tabs.

• g. Once the lid is covered with the decorative paper, repeat steps a and b on your laminating self-seal paper. 
• h. Cut around the border of the laminating paper as you did in step c, but do not cut one of the small square out.

• i. Carefully peel back the sticker of the laminating paper, starting at the edge with the square still in tact. Then cut out the small square from the laminating paper.
• j. Place the lid in the center of the sticky laminating paper. Then wrap the tabs around each side like you did in steps e and f.
• k. Now your lid is complete! Repeat steps a through j for the bottom of your box. However this time leave a 2 inch border (or more depending on the height of your box- you want to make the border wide enough to go up and around the "lip" of the bottom of the box).

Step 2- Cut the foam and make slits:

• a. Now that your box is covered and looks beautiful, trace the bottom of your box on your piece of foam.
• b. Cut out the foam and place it in your box. You may have to trim the foam so that it fits properly.
• c. Cut out a second piece of foam, if the height of your foam is not as tall as the inside of your box. (This is what I had to do.)
• d. Once the foam is snug inside your box, take your craft knife and make three slits about an inch apart. The slits are where the rings will sit.

Now your box is done! Fill the box with rings and use it yourself or give the box to your friends!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. 

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Ombre Bracelet Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

I'm on an ombre kick at the moment and today I want to share with you how to make ombre bracelets.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Pearl/Glass/Crystal beads in three gradients of the same tone (I used glass beads from Michaels)
• Clear elastic (0.5 mm)
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Super glue (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)

Step 1 - Measure:

• Measure how long you would like your bracelet. You can do this by wrapping a measuring tape around your wrist to the desired length or measuring something that already fits you well (I used my watch).

Step 2- Cut Elastic:

• Cut three strands of elastic the length of your wrist measurement plus 5 inches (e.g. I cut each strand about 11.5 inches since my wrist measurement was 6.25 inches)
• Double knot one end of each strand.

Step 3- String beads:

• String each color of bead on separate strands of elastic. String enough beads to cover the length of your wrist.

Step 4- Tie Strands:

• Choose whether you rather have three separate bracelets or one bracelet.
• If you decide to have three separate bracelets, then double knot the two ends of each bracelet to form a circle for each strand. Add a dab of glue to each knot to secure in place.
• If you decide to have one mega bracelet (this is what I did), then place the strands in order of light to dark and double knot all three strands together.

• Next, double knot the three-in-one strand with all three of the individual strands on the opposite end. Trim excess elastic.
• If you have super glue, you can glue the knot to make sure it stays put (optional).
• The knot may look a little messy. To make it neater, you can tie some ribbon around it (optional).

• Now the bracelet is done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment.

Best wishes,

Zaineb

PS. Sorry for the poor picture quality!