Luggage Tag Tutorial {Back to School at Ellison Lane}

As everyone prepares for back to school, here’s a little luggage tag you might enjoy making. It would be perfect for a backpack, purse, or anything you want to quickly identify!

Although I don’t have any school age children yet, I recently made my little ones hand embroidered luggage tags for their backpacks before we took a cross-country flight. I thought Jennifer’s Back to School series would be the perfect opportunity to do a little variation of the luggage tag, skipping the embroidery, with a window for a child’s {or your} information, yet still with a privacy flap, to protect one’s info from every passer-by.
Supplies:

2 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ solid fabric
2 3/4″ x 3 3/8″ clear vinyl {I cut up a pencil case, but vinyl-by-the-yard can be purchased at most sewing and craft stores}
1″ x 3″ strip for vinyl binding
2 – 1″ x 4″ strips print for side border
2 – 1″ x 4 1/2″ strips print for top and bottom border
7 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ rectangle for flap
3 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ rectangle print for back
3″ length 3/4″ webbing or bias tape & 1 1/2″ swivel clip {I use these}
OR a longer length of webbing or bias tape to loop through a handle
7 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ rectangle fusible interfacing
3 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ rectangle fusible interfacing

Notes: All seam allowances are 1/4″. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to fuse the interfacing and fusible fleece to the wrong side of the flap and back before beginning.
Let’s Get Started:

Fold the 7 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ in half to 3 3/4″ x 3 1/4″ right sides together and stitch 1/4″ from each 3 3/4″ side, back stitching at the top, and leaving the top open. Clip corners and turn right sides out. Top stitch 1/8″ from edge, set aside.

Fold the 1″ x 2 3/4″ binding rectangle in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, then fold the raw edges toward the fold, wrong sides together, as for bias tape. Sew the binding to one 2 3/4″ edge of the vinyl piece. I adjusted my stitch length slightly longer than my normal stitching, so the vinyl wouldn’t get too perforated. Layer the vinyl over the solid fabric.

Sew the 1″ x 4″ printed strips right side down to the long sides of the solid fabric and vinyl, trim to length, then finger press to the right side. Then, sew one of the 1″ x 4 1/2″ pieces right side down to the bottom of the solid and vinyl {opposite the binding}, trim to tag width.

Pin the flap over the solid and vinyl rectangle, and sew in place being sure not to catch the fabric or vinyl in the stitching {it may be helpful to use a zipper foot as the vinyl and binding is bulky}. Then sew the remaining 1″ x 4 1/2″ strip to the top of the tag, right side down, and trim to tag width.

Thread the swivel clip onto the webbing or bias tape, fold in half, and baste to the top of the tag with the clip pointing down. Sandwich the backing right sides together with the front of the clip. Sew around the edges leaving a 1 1/2″ opening. Clip the corners and turn right sides out.

Then top stitch 1/8″ from the edge all the way around, sealing the opening closed. Also top stitch around the embroidered name and phone number for a nice finish.

Finish it up:

Finally, cut a 2″ x 3″ paper, write whatever info you need on it, clip it on, and you’re ready to go!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick little project, it is a great addition to any backpack, luggage, or bag.

This tutorial first appeared as part of Ellison Lane’s Back to School Series, you can find it here!