17 May 2012

Tagged! diy size tags

I'm super duper excited about the possibilities I've discovered.  Perhaps even super duper shmuper excited.  You see, I've been giving away the clothes that Clover has outgrown...because there's a boy next who would not appreciate wearing dresses.  At least he won't in the future, he might not care so much right now.
And while I can probably tell you the size and for whom I made the clothes, passing them onto someone else might cause them frustration to try to figure it out.  So, I decided (from here on out--there won't be retroactive application, sorry) to add size labels...and then I just couldn't stop myself.  What else can I use these for?  I know there's something genius you guys will come up with.
I got my cotton ribbon from my mom and dad's etsy shop (which is doing fantastically, so much so that we kind of laughed at the sad state of mine, which I'm hoping to remedy one of these days, sigh).  They have 4 different sizes, so I asked if I could play with some and they sent 'em my way.
I started by dying it.  In fact, I might have gotten dye-happy because by the end I was mixing this color with that, sprinkling in a bit more powder here and there.  I also might have gotten carried away with the orange.  What?  There aren't 3 slices of orange on the color wheel?
*I made most of these by washing the tape first in the sink with soap, which helped to absorb the dye more quickly, but then made a few without washing it and it accepted the dye more slowly, but more evenly, so experiment. Also, these are more finely woven than regular twill, which gives a more even stamping surface.
When I called my dad to see what kind of ink pad he used on his ribbons he told me and I asked if it needed to be set with an iron.  He began reading the back...works on paper, plastic, wood, leather, elephant tusks...do not use on fabric.  Dad!  So, I set out to find something.  
I went to Hobby Lobby and asked those ladies.  Those ladies who know their aisles like the back of their price gun.  I told her what I was looking for and she said we just got a new product in!  She walked me to the display, much faster than I had anticipated, my little ones had to run.  Now, I can't vouch for these, they're new, you know, and I've never tried them.  Thank you, Hobby Lobby lady, you are the best.
*those of you not near Hobby Lobby, here's another brand online.  It's a couple dollars more, but they have a huge selection of colors...nobody seems to have orange :(
I pulled out my little alphabet stamps (which I think I got from the dollar spot at Target one day, but you can find them at craft stores) and anything else I thought would be lovely dipped in ink and went to work.
I'm still coming off an ink pad high.  
Make sure you lay your ribbon on a hard surface before stamping.  And yes, it does tell you to set the ink with an iron, wuddoyouknow.
If you're planning on making more than one, iron before you cut them up.
Just fold the ends under and stitch in place.  I didn't have any number stamps, so I had to spell it all out.



I set up a little cutting station with magnets on a magnetic strip and the cutest little pair of scissors I've ever seen on a hook.  I'm expecting them to disappear any day, all these little hands around here, they're so cute.
*the scissors were a gift from my mom, but there are some here that are similar.
You can also put little love notes inside the clothes you make, using the wider ribbon.
Or sticking out of the seam:
You don't even have to stamp it, if you don't want, it would look cute just plain, as well.
I think I might just label everything now, including my children, so I can finally get their name right when I call them.
That might be the shmuper part of my excitement.

Tag.

You're it.

60 comments:

  1. Wow, you go to so much effort and the results are beautiful! I just use a sharpie on cotton tape.

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  2. Oh girl, this is SO COOL. I love this! I don't have tags or anything to put in my clothes - maybe one day - but I always feel badly when I make outfits as gifts for birthday parties or whatever and there is nothing in them to indicate size, care instructions, nothing. Nothing to even give the recipient of the gift (usually a kid) a clue to which is the front and which is the back!

    This is a great idea - thank you so much for posting it!!

    xo

    Christy.

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  3. These are great! I'm going to try it with twill tape. Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. So I shouldn't write with a sharpie anymore?
    Very cute idea.
    Fun post that made me smile!
    Thanks.

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  5. Functional and practical. Not to mention adorable.

    Know what would be cute? Roman Numerals! (Might take less time than spelling out the whole word.)

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  6. I am so in love with this Katy - seriously though, just WOW. Gorgeous. Guess I know what is in my immediate future for purchases. LOVE

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  7. Sewburbia-what can I say. It's an illness.

    lera-genius idea!

    Jessica-you'll have fun :)

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  8. Very cute! What kind of dye did you use and where did you fine the ultra cute scissors?

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  9. I'm relatively new to sewing and your blog is among those that gave me the courage to try sewing clothes! I've made a few things for my daughter and can't wait to add tags like these! Thank you!
    And your Mom and Dad's etsy shop is great- cotton tape is in my cart and now I'm trying to decide which colors of twine I need (ok, want) :).

    Thank you again!

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  10. Jenny-hooray for new sewing! Great job! You can always just get a sampler of all the colors and then decide later which one you can't live without ;)

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  11. These are so cool... btw, you should sell Clover's old clothes in your etsy shop. The things you make are incredible!

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  12. Your labels are fantastic. I will have to get some of the ribbon and get started stamping. And I think spelling out the number is perfect rather than just a number. You are so talented. Thanks for the great tip!

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  13. Could you tell me the kind of dye you used? Thank you!

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  14. sforme & Janae--I used regular old RIT dye for all but the blue, for which I used Dylon.

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  15. That's a great idea! thank you for the inspiration! (i'm a regular reader, haven't commented before, but I read all your posts!)

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  16. These are such adorable stamped labels.

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  17. Your blog is so much fun, and the labels are adorable!

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  18. I'm surprised you didn't put the kids in ROYGBIV order too!

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  19. Katie--hehe! I briefly considered it, but made them in their favorite colors instead :)

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  20. superb! love it :)
    /don't think I can buy that stamp color here :/

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  21. I love those! And here I just ordered from your parents shop. I should have thrown in some tape! That stuff is very cool.

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  22. Thank you Katy! I have been trying to figure out what to do about labeling my creations and now I can use my custom stamp (that I use for packaging) with your parent's tape!!! Thank you for saving me time and money :) I love it when items serve multiple functions :D

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  23. Very cool and beautiful as usual. :)

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  24. This is fantastic! I was just thinking recently that since I just keep sewing more and more of my kids clothes I needed to find a tutorial on an easy way to size them. And then you just took care of that with this great idea! Thanks so much! I love your blog; beautiful kids and beautiful clothes!

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  25. I love that stamped look. Classy, lovely. I'll have to pick up one of those ink pads the next time I'm at Hob Lob. Thanks for being awesome Katy! :)

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  26. LOVE this! I stole Delia's, from Delia Creates, concept and dip stamps in fabric paint but oh how much easier this is if I had some fabric ink!! Thanks for sharing. I know what I'm looking for on my next trip to the Hob Lob!!!

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  27. I'm totally going to copy you. Totally. (But not in the creepy I'm going to pretend this was my idea kind of way.)
    liZ

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  28. These are beautiful! When I make tags I usually use a sharpie and a stencil, but I love the idea of different colors, and inks actually intended for fabric :S haha. Also, love the little mushroom stamp wheel!! Where is it from??



    Bitty

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  29. What a wonderful and colorful idea

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  30. Genius! Nothing less than genius!

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  31. Excellent idea dying them first. I also really love your hanging label station. So fun!

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  32. Love this! I've been trying to figure out how to make labels for some sewing projects - this could work! What is the product that the Hobby Lobby lady sold you?

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  33. Well this look's like fabby fun I gotta try! Thank you mucho for the project! Oh, and isn't hobby lobby the bomb? I can alway's find more specialized art n' craft stuff there!

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  34. Beautiful!!! So of course I had to order some :)

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  35. Fantastic & Beautiful!!
    I found an orange ink pad at Joann's yesterday after seeing your post, it's called Autumn Leaf, first one at the bottom! http://www.joann.com/versacraft-small-1-inkpad-many-colors/zprd_10775575a/

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  36. The money I spend on clothing tags that never stay! What, sew them on? Genius. I am busting to try this. So simple and exactly what I am after.

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  37. This is the coolest idea I've seen in a really long time! I can't wait to try it so I can tag the things I make!

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  39. Oh, my goodness! How wonderful!! I can see myself labeling the world now... So fun! :)

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  40. Funny, I did almost the exact same thing! For Christmas last year I went to rubberstamps.net and had little stamps made for all the cousins. First names, and one family name. They were about $3 a piece. I couldn't find a stamp pad, so I just bought a Marvy fabric marker. It has made marking clothes for school so easy.

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  41. So love this! I will definitely be trying this. Thank you so much for sharing your greatness!!

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  42. This post came at just the right time!! I am planning on opening an Etsy store by Sept. and need to make labels. Since I have never bought anything on Etsy before, your dad's tape is perfect.

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  43. I LOVE your little thumbtacked rainbow! And it's all ready to go. I'm inspired!

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  44. What do you do about the difference between RTW sizing and pattern sizing? Bit wears 5T currently, but is still a pattern size 3. So... I don't know which size to put on her clothes! (I have embroidery paint and ribbon...)

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  45. CUUUUte! I'm gonna have to try this.

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  46. I've been having fun stamping lots of fabric...I didn't think to do tags! I really need to put tags in Roman's pants because I can't tell the front from the back most of the time.

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  47. I ordered some ribbon tape as soon as I read this (Mon? yesterday?) I got my package already! It is so stinkin CUTE! I haven't even opened it yet...
    Your parents rock! But you know that :-)

    I'm so tickled to have this!! Thanks for sharing.

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  48. Very cute!! This was "pinned" on Pinterest and I will be "re-pinning" :-)

    http://pinterest.com/pin/236016836692290768/

    Alisha (CraftyBrooklynArmyWife.blogpspot.com)

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  49. I have ordered two sizes from your parents now and love the packaging. I am thinking of incorporating their twine in my packaging and maybe ordering a star or two for gift giving.

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  50. Oh! Just found your blog and label idea ~ So very cool. I have those same letter stamps {but pretty sure I paid more than a buck}and just picked up some twill tape on close out.
    Just signed up to be a new follower and can't wait to read your future ideas.

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  51. Katy,
    I have followed your tutorial but i have not used my tags yet....
    Have you had the opportunity to wash the clothing yet?
    How did it go as far as fading?
    I would love to know if the writing with the fabric ink worked for you.
    Thank you!!!!

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  52. love love love. very cute and cool Katy!

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  53. I love how your parents' shop says "check out our cute daughter's blog", as opposed to "our daughter's cute blog"!

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  54. I think you may just be my newest best friend :) Thanks for the inspiration ~ I'm off to make some labels!

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  55. Thanks for this great idea! It came very handy the other day...

    Btw: I also mentioned your idea on my blog (with a link back to you) and I really love your website!!! :)
    http://pnutspnuts.blogspot.de/2013/05/diy-namensetiketten-bzw-namensbander.html

    Greetings from Hamburg!

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  56. This is great. Super simple and easy. Thank you!!!

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