Are you a rule follower? Making clothing tags.

When it comes to certain things, I am a rule follower.  I recently decided that after many friends and family have told me, "you should make little girl clothes and sell them online" that I would.  Following much research, as is my modus operandi, I determined it was only appropriate once I created clothing tags so as to follow all applicable laws.  In short, they want to know your name, where the item was made, where the fabric is from, and washing instructions.  Once you have this information, it is relatively easy to create your own.

What you need:

• word processing document
• an inkjet printer
• card stock
• spray adhesive
• lightweight fabric, white cotton works great
• iron-on lightweight interfacing (optional)

Create a document that has all of the necessary information.  Most of what I make uses 100% cotton, and has the same washing requirements.  Therefore, I chose to make one sheet of exactly the same tags.  I made mine pretty darned small, and was able to fit five columns across in one 8 1/2 by 11 sheet. Adjust the font and size to your liking.  I made my company name in our signature font, just to be cute. Why not?  It doesn't take long to find the font you prefer, or choose a new one.

Next prep your fabric.  Cut a rectangle a few inches larger than your card stock.  ***If you want to minimize fraying, cut it out on the bias.  If you don't know what I mean, you probably won't be selling your own handmade clothes!  Following the directions on the can, apply spray adhesive to one side of the card stock.  Lay your fabric on the card stock.  Smooth out any wrinkles by lifting and adjusting.  You do not want ANY wrinkles.  Cut the fabric down to the size of your paper.  Being careful that you know which side your printer will print on, insert paper so that it will print on the fabric.  Allow this to dry for a few minutes.  Gently pull the fabric apart from the card stock.  You can then set the ink with a hot iron, but I would use a press cloth first...just in case.  ***As long as you only use black ink, this should not wash out or run.

Now that you have a sheet of tags, you can iron this onto lightweight interfacing.  It gives the tag a little more body and also makes sure you won't have your tag edges unravelling.  You can cut these out all at once or just as needed.  I use pinking shears to give it a cute edge, and yes, triple redundancy for no fraying.  Sew this onto your garment before assembly, if the stitching will show in a way you don't care for.  I sew mine onto the bodice facing, using a zig zag stitch to reduce any scratchiness.  I do not know any little girls who like scratchy tags.

If you made your own clothing tags please share a picture of your creation!  Enjoy!