How to Sew Letters on a Garment Bag

One of the best things about handmaking an item such as a garment bag is that it can be personalized for the user. Favorite colors, patterns and designs make the garment bag a unique possession. An easy way to add a personalization is to appliqué a monogram, the first letter of the user's name, onto the bag.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 pieces of fabric in coordinating colors and designs
• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Straight pins

1. Create a template of the letter you will be attaching out of cardboard. It should be at least a couple of inches tall, large enough to also be a decorative item on the garment bag.

2. Trace the letter onto the wrong side of a piece of a coordinating fabric and cut the letter out.

3. Place the letter on another piece of coordinating fabric, one that is a different color or design than the first piece. Following the shape of the letter, cut this piece of fabric, making it about 1/4 inch larger all around.

4. Choose a third piece of fabric in another color or design and cut it slightly larger all around than the second piece. On this piece, don't cut out the inside of the letter; let it be a background to the other two pieces, which will lie on top of it.

5. Pin all three pieces to the garment bag panel.

6. Sew the bottom piece to the garment bag using a tight zig-zag stitch. This will keep the edges of the fabric from fraying with use. Remember to reverse direction at the start and finish to lock the seam.

7. Attach the next two pieces in the same way, this time sewing the inside of the letters as well.

8. Trim the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• If the garment bag is to be given to a child, the monogram should be of the first letter of the child's first name. An older child or adult may prefer the first letter of his last name.
• Adding more letters to the monogram will be more difficult than adding one. You will have to be consistent in your letter design and place the letters more carefully on the garment bag panel.