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