When I offered to make some luggage tags for my brother, Scott, he asked that I use his initials rather than his name and address.  I thought that was a very good idea, since the address broadcasts to the world just WHERE a person is not at home.

My brother also requested that the tags be very noticeable from the baggage claim conveyor.  So many bags look just the same, and it is not always easy to read the tags from afar.  At first I was going to use my Pinstripes alphabet to make the initials, but then thought that a bright fabric would be easier to spot than lettering.

I turned again to my favorite contour fill pattern and digitized his initials.  I liked the look of the contour fill in block letters, as did those who saw the tags I made.  I decided to digitize the rest of the alphabet and then created the alphabets in five sizes, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 60 mm, and 90 mm high.  The capital letters are about 2/3 the height of these sizes (13 mm, 20 mm, 26 mm, 39 mm, and 59 mm, respectively.  The alphabets are available singly and as a complete set. Click here to see the new alphabets.

You can download a guide to using Contour Print alphabets with more information and also a sample letter in each size on the page with my alphabet collections.

I digitized the design for my brother's luggage tags.  He was very pleased with the look and size of his luggage tags.  I have not yet heard whether they have traveled and helped him find his bags.  Here are the tags I made for my brother.

For fun, I stitched a tag with Contour Script 60.  I learned to watch out for prints that include the color of the embroidery thread and am passing on the warning to you.  See the samples in the luggage tag instructions offered below for a print that works a lot better
with this lettering.

My friend Mary chose the colors for the following two tags.  I love bright colors and strong contrast for myself, but like to keep my friends happy.  Now that I see how subtle these tags look, I will definitely consider similar combinations of fabric and thread.

Since some embroidery machines offer only a 100 x 100 mm hoop, I decided to offer another shape of luggage tag for that size of hoop.  Here are two tags I made in my small hoop.  As you see, there is a single 90 mm letter in one square and two 30 mm letters plus one 40 mm letter in another.

For the sake of comparison, I trimmed the fabric before satin stitching on the first square.  Trimming the fabric last, as I did for the second square, is a little quicker, but trimming before satin stitching gives a more finished look.  Instructions for both methods of contruction are available here.  The oblong and square luggage tag designs can be downloaded as well.  Both are stitched entirely in the hoop.

No matter which shape or construction method you choose, you will love how quickly you can embroider these tags.  You can even use them for gift tags that will have a second life after the holidays.  For attaching your tags to belongings, you can include a cable tie (each costing about a penny), a shower curtain ring, or a small leather strap. Here is a picture of a cable tie.

Can you think of other uses for these tags?  Key tags?  Bookmarks?  Please show us how you use these embroidery designs.