Make Gift Tags From Vintage Linens

Good morning! I hope you are all well today. I’m going to be sharing about a crafting project I’m in love with that involves old linens and tag making (my current, favorite craft!).
 making new tags out of old linens
Most dealers, and many decorators, have a collection of unusable linens, whether small or large, tucked away in a box or drawer in their home.
 
We are physically unable to discard them because they still retain so much beauty, it is hard to part with them.
Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

Here’s a sample of some of mine. All of these linens have rips or holes or big brown age spots. Sadly, they are not good for much.

But then one day, as I was making tags using my die cut machine* and some felt, I began to think about all the different kinds of materials that one might use to make interesting tags–cork sheets, milk jugs, foil pans, and (drum roll) old linens!

*(Read more about my die cut machine, purchased on sale at Tuesday Mornings for $35!)

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

 So I pulled out the pile you saw above and started cutting out tag shapes with my machine. Above are a some of my first results.

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens 

Next I cut out tags using manila card stock and applied a thin layer of Modge Podge.

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens 

Then, I applied the linen tag to the card stock tag, flattening as I went with my “bone” folder.

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

Here’s my first set, and I have to say, I just love them! I feel they are really unique and sooo beautiful.

Tags Using Vintage Denim & an Old Curtain

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

The more I’ve thought about this tag-making process, the more ideas I’ve come up with. I began to realize that there are many fabrics out there that would probably work.

I decided to try some vintage denim and an old, faux suede curtain I found at a church sale for $1.

 
Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens
This time, rather than cutting twice, I glued the fabric to the card stock first and then ran it through the die cut machine. This was much easier than trying to line up the pre-cut fabric with the pre-cut card.
 
Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

The faux suede unfortunately did not work out well. Some of the glue that seeped through to the front of the tag dried a dark color rather than clear. I have not figured out a way to resolve the issue.

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens
 
Here are some of the denim tags–aren’t they gorgeous?! I just love them.
 
Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens
 
Here’s a decorated tag. I die cut the bird using a Tim Holtz die cut, some silk flowers, and a few rhinestones. I used dimensional Modge Podge on the “Thinking of you.”
 
It warped a little because I didn’t use heavy enough paper. But you see how easy it is to decorate these neat tags.

How to Make Tags Without a Die Cut Machine

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

I know not everyone has a die cut machine, so here are two tags that I cut by hand. You can use the same process I described above where you glue a piece of fabric to a piece of card stock.

After it dries, cut out your tag shape. To keep the edges from unraveling, I brushed some Modge Podge  along the edges (see the tag on the right). If you don’t mind a bit of unraveling, then don’t apply the MP (like the tag on the left).

Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

 Then I punched an eyelet at the top to make a nice, finished hole.

  Making New Tags Out of Old Vintage Linens

Here they are with their eyelets and some ribbon. I also trimmed them to make them skinnier, and I like this look better. Don’t you agree?

Explore some of my other tag projects:

 altered art bird tag

burlap bird tag

Bye for now,

 
scan of Diana signature

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37 Comments

  1. Cute, cute, cute! It's too bad that old linens don't have longer lives, but this is such a nifty way to use them! Love the embroidery!

  2. Oh my gosh- what a fabulous idea! I also have a drawer full of old linens I just can't part with and I love the idea of making them into something useful. Thank you for sharing this tutorial, and by the way your blog looks great – I notice some changes!

  3. Aren't those adorable, Diana! Of course, I could never make enough tags to use up my mountains of scrap fabric šŸ™

    The world seems to be divided between those who own a die cutter and those who WISH they did šŸ™‚

  4. Another great idea… I have so many old linens that I hate to part with. Great way to use them. I have a die cut machine. Need to find a die for tags. Thanks for posting this.

  5. Love this idea! Thanks so much for the detail. Visiting from Kathy's Delightsome Life. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

  6. This is such a great idea…especially for scraps of linens used for larger projects. Thank you for sharing this.

  7. Great project! These tags look terrific! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

  8. I'm sure you've already heard this plenty of times, but I'm equally determined that it bears repeating. Your works are so adorable! Those are for sale? Oh Iā€™m sure they're a big hit! I'll definitely stick around for more. Stay creative, Diana!

    Clint Shaff @ Franchise Match

  9. Ha you had me going with "I can do that even though I don't have a die cut machine!" until you punched an eyelet. I don't have an eyelet maker either LOL

  10. Pingback: How to Make Vintage Grain Sack Tags

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