When making shorts for the kids- especially ones with no obvious front/back to the design- I've always tried to add a "tag" to the back to help them (and dad!) know which way to put them on.
Previously I have used a scrap bit of cotton tape sewn onto the back inside waistband - OK for labelling with a laundry marker for daycare but not all that "stylish" looking;)
Next I used some ready made woven labels that I came across in the quilting section of my local Spotlight:
These did look really nice BUT were quite pricey at $10 for a pack of 9 (I think!).
A mix from the two packs I brought:
Finally - and after a tip off from a member at our last SWA- I brought a piece of printable fabric (for inkjet printing) from Big Bubble in Midland.
At $4 for an A4 sheet I figured that if it all went horribly wrong it wasn't much of an outlay!
Originally I though I had brought a iron-on transfer sheet, in that once you peeled off the backing sheet you could iron the fabric labels directly onto your items. But once I printed and peeled off the backing sheet I found that there was no adhesive layer! Boo...
If I had realised it in time I would have changed how I laid out my "labels"- allowing more space between each so I could fold in the edges, or maybe printing the labels on a 45 degree angle to combat fraying.
I ended up with pinking the edges of each label and then using a zigzag stitch to attach it to the garment, but as I had squished them so close together there wasn't much space around the text:
The fabric used in the printing sheet is quite thin, floppy and a little loosely woven. They basically fray up to the zigzagging once washed, which doesn't look too bad but again would be better if the pinked edge was further out from the text:
Maybe if I backed the sheet with woven interfacing before cutting out it might help to curb the fraying, plus give the "labels/tags" more body and durability.
If I use these type of sheets to make labels again...
P.S. Having washed a few of the items that I put these on (kids shorts) several times in the last week I've noticed a bit of fading :(
I'm thinking now for the amount of time that you spend fluffing around to make these maybe I would be better just getting some made up :/
What do you think?
Happy Sewing!
Kate :)
Previously I have used a scrap bit of cotton tape sewn onto the back inside waistband - OK for labelling with a laundry marker for daycare but not all that "stylish" looking;)
Next I used some ready made woven labels that I came across in the quilting section of my local Spotlight:
These did look really nice BUT were quite pricey at $10 for a pack of 9 (I think!).A mix from the two packs I brought:
Finally - and after a tip off from a member at our last SWA- I brought a piece of printable fabric (for inkjet printing) from Big Bubble in Midland.
At $4 for an A4 sheet I figured that if it all went horribly wrong it wasn't much of an outlay!
Originally I though I had brought a iron-on transfer sheet, in that once you peeled off the backing sheet you could iron the fabric labels directly onto your items. But once I printed and peeled off the backing sheet I found that there was no adhesive layer! Boo...
If I had realised it in time I would have changed how I laid out my "labels"- allowing more space between each so I could fold in the edges, or maybe printing the labels on a 45 degree angle to combat fraying.
I ended up with pinking the edges of each label and then using a zigzag stitch to attach it to the garment, but as I had squished them so close together there wasn't much space around the text:
The fabric used in the printing sheet is quite thin, floppy and a little loosely woven. They basically fray up to the zigzagging once washed, which doesn't look too bad but again would be better if the pinked edge was further out from the text:
Maybe if I backed the sheet with woven interfacing before cutting out it might help to curb the fraying, plus give the "labels/tags" more body and durability.
If I use these type of sheets to make labels again...
P.S. Having washed a few of the items that I put these on (kids shorts) several times in the last week I've noticed a bit of fading :(
I'm thinking now for the amount of time that you spend fluffing around to make these maybe I would be better just getting some made up :/
What do you think?
Happy Sewing!
Kate :)
3 comments:
I print mine using ink jet photo transfer paper and 1" satin ribbon and just tuck the sides under. No fraying!
I've been thinking of getting some made for ages. There are some pretty cheap places around the interweb. Maybe now I'll be sewing for Matthew aswell I can justify them more!
@Alison- I originally thought that was what I was buying but... Might have a go with transfer paper next time, it sounds easier!
@Ellen- Yes definitely a reason to get some now ;) Especially if you make elasticated shorts- saves you time dressing them early in the mroning if you know which is front/back lol :D
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