How to Cut the Pattern for Luggage Tags

Sewing a luggage tag is a quick and easy way to customize your luggage with a personal touch. Use a rotary cutter to cut out the pattern pieces for your luggage tag to make the job quick and easy. Here's how to cut out the pattern for a luggage tag for sewing up this quick craft.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Heavy duty craft backing
• Clear plastic
• Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

1. Select a fabric and make sure it is well suited to fusing to heavy duty craft backing, such as Pellon. Also pick up some of this heavy duty craft backing and some clear vinyl as well. You'll only need a small amount when sewing 1 luggage tag.

2. Lay the fabric out on the rotary cutting mat and plan how to get the most from the fabric pieces. The pieces will be long rectangles, so your best bet is to cut down the length of the fabric. Let the vinyl lay flat for a while to limit the folds.

3. Cut the heavy duty craft backing into a 3-by-11 1/2 inch strip using the rotary cutter, mat and ruler. Hold the ruler tight on the fabric to avoid slippage and use a rotary cutter with a sharp blade.

4. Put the fabric down on the rotary cutting mat. Measure and cut a 3 1/2-by-12 inch piece. Cut a piece of vinyl in the same fashion 3-by-5 inches. You may need to press hard while cutting the vinyl; its thickness might require a little more pressure.

5. Measure out the luggage tag's strap from the fabric and cut it out. Make it 2-by-14 inches in dimension. Be sure to cut the corners accurately for easy sewing later.

Tips & Warnings

• Rotary cutters tend to dull rather quickly so have spare blades ready.
• Use caution when using a rotary cutter and never disable the guard. Doing so could cause injury, including the loss of a finger.
• Always use a rotary cutting mat with your rotary cutter. A rotary cutter will damage any other surface.