DIY Luggage Tags

It's summer (yes September is still summer!) and that means travel!  Whether you're a globe-trotter or a weekend-getaway type there's not a more perfect time to be out-and-about than now.  So pack your bags and get out and see the world but don't forget your luggage tag...and I'm not talking about that plain, boring one from the airline counter.

It seems that every good vacation has its moments of chaos and nothing is more stressful than losing your bags.  Luckily, a fresh update on an ordinary travel staple will save that favorite item of yours from being lost forever and look good in the process.  Here's a quick and simple way to make your own stylish luggage tags using stunning fabric and a little sewing - even a beginner can handle.

I scored some gorgeous Waverly "Seeing Spots" fabric for the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores and Waverly WaverizeIt! Contest.  Can you believe it's Waverly's 90th Anniversary?!  They sure don't show their age.  I love their selection of colorful contemporary fabrics and can always find gorgeous patterns at our local Jo-Ann store, which for this rural girl is a big deal.  Remember my chair reupholstery project?  Yeah, that was Waverly fabric!

Now back to this project.  Aside from some stylish fabric you'll also need:

• Fusible interfacing
• Thick Plastic (I used a plastic report cover 3-ring binder insert)
• Ribbon
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron

1.  Cut out two pieces from your fabric using a template.  I was a little lazy and didn't want to make my own.  So I googled it and found a great template here - check out her adorable squirrel luggage tag!

2.  Cut out one piece of fusible interfacing using the same template as the fabric.

Cut out one piece of plastic using the rectangle template.  (I cut from a corner so I could use both sides of the plastic report cover as a sleeve.

Layer the following three pieces together (as shown) - front fabric, fusible interfacing, back fabric.

On a medium-high heat setting, fuse the three pieces together with an iron.

Pin the plastic sleeve and ribbon to the tag, as shown.

Sew around the perimeter of the tag and that's it!  Now I'm totally ready to set off on an exotic vacation.  Ha!  Yeah right!  But at least if I were planning a vacation I would have a pretty little luggage tag instead of a boring ol' paper one.

With a little fabric, a little sewing and a bit of creativity - turning something ordinary into something extraordinary is easier than you think.

Get your hands on some of your own Waverly fabric, get to crafting and submit your project to the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store and Waverly WaverizeIt! Facebook contest between September 1-22.  If you're like me, you don't need much of an excuse to do a little crafting - especially when it involves gorgeous fabric...but this might help.  The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 in Waverly fabric and a $250 Jo-Ann gift card.  Oh what I could create with that prize package!

So, what boring ol' item are you going to Waverize?

The following review is part of the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® Waverly campaign. I received compensation for  this review; however, this is my personal, honest opinion based on my experience.