How to Make a Luggage Tag
By Joanne Lewis
It is very important when traveling to have all of your important flight information and contact details securely attached to all of your items. This is especially important when checking valuable golf clubs---wayward clubs can ruin a vacation and cost a lot to replace. The paper tags that are given out at airports can tear and become lost. These homemade luggage tags are sewn using stiff interfacing so they are sturdy and reusable. The clear plastic pocket holds a card displaying your current information.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Trace around a credit card (or something of similar size) on a piece of paper. Use a ruler to draw a line through the center of the rectangle lengthwise, extending the line past one end of the rectangle by about two inches. Draw a line from the end of this line to each adjacent corner of the rectangle shape. You should have a luggage tag shape.
Cut the tag out to make a paper template. Use this to cut two shapes from the fabric and one shape from the interfacing. Trim ¼-inch from each side of the interfacing shape.
Affix the interfacing to the center of the wrong side of one of the fabric pieces by following the manufacturer's instructions.
Take this piece of fabric and place it right sides together with the other piece of fabric. Cut 10 to 14 inches of ribbon or cord and fold it in half to make a loop. Pin this loop along the center of the luggage tag with the cut ends of ribbon at the pointed end of the tag.
Sew a row of straight stitches around the edge of the tag leaving a ¼-inch seam allowance, stitching slightly to the outside of the interfacing. Leave a gap of about two inches at the end of the seam.
Trim the outer corners of the tag diagonally, then turn it right-sides-out through the gap in the seam. Iron the tag well and hand whip-stitch the gap closed.
Trace around a credit card onto the clear vinyl and cut out the shape. Place this shape over the rectangular part of the fabric luggage tag.
Top stitch around the perimeter of the vinyl ¼-inch from the outer edge. This will stitch three sides of the clear vinyl in place, forming a pocket. Write your contact and flight information on a piece of paper or cardboard and insert it in the pocket.
Tips & Warnings
Use a contrasting color thread for the top-stitching for decorative effect.
A luggage tag made from brightly colored or patterned fabric will be instantly recognizable when you are looking for your luggage or golf bag at baggage claim.
Use a contrasting color thread for the top-stitching for decorative effect.
A luggage tag made from brightly colored or patterned fabric will be instantly recognizable when you are looking for your luggage or golf bag at baggage claim.
About The Author
Joanne Lewis is a freelance writer who has written for newspapers since 2005. She is currently the editor of a weekly community newspaper in Los Angeles, Calif. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.
