FRENCH TAGS - MIXED MEDIA FREE TUTORIAL

These are 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.

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 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 add pieces of fabric around the image.

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.

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.

  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.

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. 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.

Place the eyelet as per packet directions.

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.