These are just great as Gifts.
Do you have hidden away in your sewing stash pieces
of lace that are just too small to put to use, but you
cannot bear to part with them. This is a way to have
it on show. Bring out such items as:
Small remnants of lace (vintage or modern),
Doilies – damaged but precious, odd buttons.
Charms, Ribbons, Hand-dyed Lace Trim / Motifs.
Broken pieces of jewellery, Art images on Fabric
or fabric pieces.
For this illustrated tag, you will need:-
1 Backing Piece 12 x 22 cm.
1 Fabric Stiffening, 10 x 20 cm.
1 image (8 x 6 cm)
Small pieces of fabric to frame the image.
Front panel: add pieces of fabric around the image.
Layering is a plus with this type of craft;
the more, the better.
Add stiffening to the back.
For this example lace frames the image.
Overlapping where necessary. Making it wider than
the fabric. Hand tack in matching thread to keep the
lace in position. At the base I have added a hand-dyed
lace motif with a slight touch of blue in the centre,
which I feel complements the blue in the maid's dress.
Pearls stitched into the lace flower centres.
With seed beads I have framed the image.
stitching them to the edge of the lace with a
beading needle and thread.
Rosette:
Base – Is a gathered rosette in lace.
2nd Layer - Constructed from 13 mm silk ribbon.
Pearl Button covering the stitching as the centre.
Placed over a layer of fine lace leaves.
Backing:
Press the seams down to make it the required size,
then edge this with a fine 1 cm lace trim to give an
attractive edge. If machine sewing it may be best to
do some hand tacking first to make it easier to handle
under the pressure foot with such a narrow lace.
Place it to the back of the French Tag and slip stitch
the two pieces together.
Add an eyelet to the top of the tag.
The opening for this, believe it or not, I have made
with an ordinary office whole punch. Should you
have the proper tool it will be simple to do.
As an alternative the ribbon could be stitched to the
tag, maybe with a few pleats for disguise.
Themes for your tags:-
Colourful, Christmas, Birthday, Modern, Vintage,
Embroidered, Shabby, Boho.
Much prettier than being hidden away in a Cabinet
don't you agree?
So pull out your sewing baskets and get inspired.
