Creating your own luggage tag is actually easy! (And also much cheaper!) This is a great fabric scrap busting project.

What you will need:

• 2 Cotton fabric scraps of matching or contrasting patterns (one will be the lining)
• Interfacing
• Fold over elastic
• Clear vinyl

First we need to make a pattern! I traced an existing luggage tag that I liked and added a 1/4″ seam allowance around the edge. I also cut out the window space. (TIP: Make sure one end has a little bit more space between the window and the edge of the tag. This will be the where the tag attaches to things!)

Place the pattern on top of the window piece fabric and the window lining fabric. Cut around the outer edge. For the center, allow an approximate 1/4″ seam allowance inside the window. I traced this first before I cut it.

Cut a back piece of the outside fabric, the lining, and the interfacing. Also cut one rectangle of clear vinyl to fit in the window.

With right sides facing together, sew the window pieces together with a 1/4″ seam allowance on one edge (The one with more space between the window and the top).

Flip the window pieces so the right sides are facing out. Press along the fold, and sew a seam close to the edge.

Carefully open the two window pieces, and cut the windows on the diagonal to the corners of the edge of the pattern window. This should create flaps on all sides of the window creating the window space on the pattern. Press these flaps inward on the wrong side of the fabric.

Turn the window piece back to right sides facing out. Place the clear vinyl between the top and the lining window pieces. Sew a seam closely along the window edge. (TIP: The vinyl likes to slide around. Try to pin at least one side!)

Time for the back pieces! With right sides together and the interfacing on the outside, sew a 1/4″ seam along one edge. I sandwiched mine with the outside fabric, lining, and then the interfacing. Turn right side out, press, and then sew along the top edge like we did for the window piece.

Both the window piece and the bottom will need a button hole. Follow your machine instructions, but make sure the button hole is long enough for the elastic that you are using. Try to get both the window piece and the bottom piece buttonholes to line up when the are on top of each other. (This is how the elastic will thread through each piece.)

Place the window piece and the back piece right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam allowance along the outer edge, leaving the top open. Trim bottom corners.

Flip the tag so the right sides are facing out. Poke out the corners, and sew along the outer edge leaving some space before the opening. If your vinyl is a little bit crinkled, use some steam from an iron to heat it up and reshape. (TIP: Don’t press the vinyl right on the iron! It will melt onto your iron.) We are almost done!

Place your address in the luggage tag on an index card cut to fit your tag. This is usually a business card size. Thread through the fold over elastic and measure to your desired length. Knot the elastic on the end and attach to anything!

The luggage tag is complete! How did yours turn out?