Pleats, Pleats, Pleats

During my recent visit to Connie's I burrowed her button punch.  It makes beautiful embossed buttons which can be used to decorate cards, tags, scrapbook pages.

Fabric and buttons are a good combination so I decided to decorate a tag using the two. To make the pleated panel, cut the fabric slightly larger than the tag.

Make pleats on the fabric and iron to create creases.

Use the tag as a guide to cut a piece that will fit on the tag.

I used a glue stick to position the pleated piece on the tag.

Sew around the edges using your sewing machine's zig zag stitch.

With the help of a stamp pad and a sponge I burnished the tag's edges. Sew the paper buttons on the tag.   It helps to pre punch the holes for the paper buttons before sewing to the tag.

I came across this fabric that mimics grass and created this cute tag. Go ahead and give this project a try.  This is definitely a beginner's project and super quick to complete.  So how do you use your fabric scraps?  Everyone has a stash so why not put them to work.

Tags from Recycled Cards

I found some cards and decided to re purpose them by making tags. To make the tags special I added a crochet border.

 To make these tags, you will need a pretty card cut in tag size: 3" by 4"  or 3-1/2" by 4-1/2".  You will also need an awl or a sharp needle to make the holes on the bottom edge of the tag.  To make the crochet border, I used a size C (2.5mm) crochet hook.

 Sport Weight yarn.  I used Patons Grace.

 Cut the card in tag shape.  To cover the back side of the tag I used scrap book paper. Use a glue stick to glue two pieces together.

Using the awl and graph paper as a guide puncture the bottom edge of the tag.  I worked on a mouse pad surface to protect my table. 

You may go over each hole to enlarge them  a bit so the needle will go through easier.

 Cut a piece of yarn at least 5 times the width of the tag.  Thread a wide eye needle (such as a Tapestry needle) and use the blanket stitch to create an edge.  This is the base and you will use it to make  the crochet stitches.

With the front of the tag facing you (this is the right side), insert the crochet hook and begin the crochet border.

Here are some more samples:  This mini tag came with a bag I bought at Target.  You may cover the tote bag words and add your own words....such as Hi....or What's Up?  Use your imagination.  Affix this mini tag to a card.

as I did in this example:

Christmas card turned into a tag.

Can you tell I like snowmen? I chose to hide the blanket stitch on the snowmen tags.  The blanket stitch and crochet border were done on a separate tag and covered with the snowman card pictures. Simply glue the two layers together.

More samples....

I will make a short video showing how to make the blanket stitch on the card stock soon.

I have written three patterns which are very simple to follow:

Crochet Border Tags