French Tags.

These are a just great for gift giving.

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.

I like so many of you would have seen examples of these tags on
 many Blogging Posts and Etsy stores.
Some are done on card gluing or stitching the layers down

and others as a Mixed Media or Shabby Chic.

This is my version,  more as a sewn item with the seams covered.

 

Bring out such items as:

Small remnants of Lace ( Vintage or Modern )

Doilies - damaged but precious

Buttons. Charms, Ribbons

Hand Dyed Lace Trim or Motifs

Broken pieces of jewellery

Images ( Satin Transfers - available from Daisys Garden)

or Fabric images

For this illustrated tag you will need:-

1 Backing Piece 12 x 22 cms.

1 Fabric Stiffening  10 x 20 cms.

1 Image ( 8 x 6 cms)

Small pieces of fabric to frame the image.

 

Make up the front panel as illustrated, no need for

 perfection as it will be covered with

lace etc. later. Layering is the one plus with this

type of craft, the more the better.

Place the stiffening at the back.

For this example I have placed lace around the

image to create a picture frame.

More lace was added to the top and bottom corners

after this photo was taken.  Sorry I realised after that

this needed to be done.

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

suits the blue in the maids dress. Pearls stitched into

the flower centre, pearls and lace are just made for

each other.

 

With seed beads I have framed the image, stitching

them to the edge of the lace with a beading needle

and beading thread.

Rosette:  

Base-  Is a gathered Rosette in lace.

2nd Layer - Constructed from 13 mm Silk Ribbon.

Make small pleats, hand stitch each one in place,

be sure to leave a tail at each end to form it into

a circle. Total length 8 cms after pleating and allow

an extra 2 cms each end. 

Shape into a circle and stitch ends together and flat

against the rosette so it will not show, then run a

gathering stitch through the inside seam and gently

pull it together into a rosette, finish off well so it

will not come undone.

Layer the two together stitch down in place on the

lace foundation using a button as the centre, this will cover 

all the gathering areas you don't want to show. 

To add balance to the frame 2 pieces of venise

lace leaves cut from a motif, dyed to match the

flowers at the base.

****Other options for a feature would be

Gathered flower - tutorial

Loop Flower- tutorial

as illustrated on caroldaisy.blogspot.com

Once you are happy with the finished result for the

tag, fold over the laces to the back and slip stitch

them down to the stiffening.

Cover it with the backing piece.

Backing:

I pressed the seams down to make it the required size then edged

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.

All that remains now is to add an eyelet to the top of the tag.

The opening for this believe it or not I have made with a

ordinary office whole punch. Should you have the proper

tool it will be simple to do.

Place the eyelet as per packet directions.

As an alternative the ribbon could be stitched to the tag, maybe

with a few pleats for disguise.

Ribbons:   Satin, Organza, Silk, Braid or even a length of Lace

can be used to display your French Tag.

Let your imagination run wild with different themes for your tags.

Colourful, Christmas, Birthday, Modern, Vintage, Embroidered.

Consider it as a card for a special occasion, which will be

treasured and on display. 

An extra pouch could be added at the back to hold a fragrant

envelope.

Much prettier than being hidden away in a sewing basket,

don't you agree.

So pull out your Sewing Baskets and get inspired.

Carol Daisy

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Enhancing with SRE

Enhancing with Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Do you have hidden away in your cupboards some

 beautiful linen hankies that have not been

 used for sometime.

This photo shows a class project made from

hankies such as these.

They may have corners featured with

machine embroidery or

just beautiful lace or crocheted edges. 

 No matter which way you look at it,

 this is such a shame to have them

hidden away for just the

 moths and silverfish to enjoy.

Should you wish to create one such as this:-

1st: Wash and press the hankerchiefs. 

Depending on their condition, you may wish

 to soak them first to whiten and remove

 as many stains as possible.

2nd:  Once you have decided on the

finished size cut a piece of calico a

little larger than the desired top approx.

 1 inch  or 3 cms. as the patch will shrink

 in size a little with the embroidery added.

This will be the base to stitch the

crazy patch to.

 Keep in mind the size of the pillow insert

you may have or will purchase later.

3rd: Lay the full hankerchiefs down onto the

 calico to form a crazy patch.

Making the best of the features you

 have already. Play with them till

 you are happy with the result.

Next pin the areas where they have crossed

over to keep them in the desired pattern.

 Not to the calico base, thus allowing you

to cut away any excess fabric. 

By doing this the patch will not be so bulky.

 Place the final article onto the calico base

and a layer of pellon using large tacking

 stitches to keep the pieces in place

 - I use a bright thread

 which is easy to see when you need

 to remove them.

This is the hard part, but at least you will

 have a project that will be out in view

 and not hidden away at the back

of a drawer.

As a suggestion you may wish to keep

the offcuts for another project such as:-

A Drawstring Bag to keep lingerie or give

 as a gift. 

A Foldover Pouch and decorate the flap

with SRE.

A pillowslip pouch to keep lace doilies or

 special Fancy Work doilies in.

Now for the fun part. 

Using Silk Ribbon Embroidery in the available places add features of flowers. Use an embroidery hoop for this to

keep the fabric from puckering.

Running Stitch/ Colonial Knot Comb



Ribbon Stitch



Ribbon Stitch

Enhance and stitch down the hankie edges

at the same time with Embroidery Stitches.

for SRE instructions, designs and flowers.

http://caroldaisy.blogspot.com.au/

Also the Stitch Embroidery Link is on the

 site for your guidance.

Add Lace Motifs, Beads,

 Broken Jewellery Pieces.

Vintage Buttons or any item that

has a special meaning.

Check out Daisys Garden  for

Lace Motifs, Embellishment Packs,

Silk Ribbons and Threads etc.

4th: Final step once the item is completed

 is to make it into a cushion cover

 or other items as suggested above.

Enjoy your newly completed article.

This would be a great Mothers Day Project.

and special personal embellishments could be added to

the project.  Jewellery pieces, buttons, vintage laces etc.

Carol Daisy

  

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