Thursday 27 March 2014

Tutorial: Teeny Weeny Handmade Sewing Labels

A very simple, quick and fun way to create your own teeny weeny labels for things you sew or just to satisfy that sewing and creative urge. So easy, that it can be made with one and a half hands. :-) Literally! All you need is scraps of fabric, I prefer linen or linen and cotton blend, some embroidery floss, a stamp or two, buttons and your imagination of course.


I am going to show you just two examples, because it's a bit difficult for me to sew and fiddle with fabric and needles at the moment (thanks to my fractured wrist!), but you can let your imagination run wild and create your own amazing labels using this tutorial. So let's get started!

Step 1: Take a small rectangular piece of fabric ( mine is about 4"x 1.5").


Step 2: If you are using stamps, fold your piece in half to mark the middle so your print is positioned in the right spot. If not using any stamps, skip to step 4.


Step 3: Apply your stamp in the middle of the piece close to the folded side.


Step 4: Fold bottom and top long edges over so that they meet in the middle, but don't overlap. Press well.


Step 5: Fold in half and pin. Pinning helps keep fabric from shifting while you are sewing.


Step 6: Sew a button to the top layer of the label only so you can't see any threads on the back. Add some teeny running stitches around the button and on the left side of the button through both layers of the label. These stitches are going to secure both layers of the label in place.


Step 7: Run some stitches around your stamp print if you like. This is how your label should look like on the back side. You can use machine instead of hand sewing. That's all! Next time you are making something extra special, just add a teeny weeny label as well for that super-duper special touch.



I used my Stitching Companion to model the labels. I cannot wait to make the things I planned using the labels, I just have to wait a few more weeks till my wrist heals so I can really get back to my sewing machine and fabric stash.


Happy sewing everyone!

12 comments:

  1. I love these little labels!! I have been trying to remember to add labels to things i make but I seem to forget :(. I do have some linen scraps that would be perfect for this tute and am going to make some! Thanks for the how to and inspiration!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I forget to add labels too quite often. But hope now I won't since I have quite a few in my stash. Let me know if you make any, I might get inspired back. :-)

      Delete
  2. What a great idea! Thanks, Larisa.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Larissa,
    I have been stamping my labels, but never added stitches to it....what a neat way to decorate labels. I will definitely make a few. Thanks.
    Christin F.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am really glad you like it, Christin. Enjoy making new labels and thank you for visiting! :-)

      Delete
  4. The stitching around buttons is such a cute idea. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am happy you like it. Thank you for visiting! :-)

      Delete
  5. Hi Larissa sorry about your wrist,. I am really inspired by your labels tute, I don't think to do it, did have some made but not nearly the same as your handmade ideas! Thank you and recover quickly. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words and wishes! It makes me really happy to know that my creations inspire people around the world in some ways. Thank you for visiting my blog! :-)

      Delete
  6. Such a great idea! I will need to try that for sure. I am all about fabrics at the moment and I LOVE the fabric in your first picture!!! I need some Badly....can you tell me the name of the designer or lineplease? Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Glad you like it. It's a very easy and fun way of making labels. The fabric in the top picture (with a boy and a girl holding hands) is called Woodland Walk by Belle and Boo. It's one of my favourite. I am sure you can find it online. Good luck!

      Delete