diy: affordable custom clothing labels

I don't think we've officially announced this on the blog, but Casey and I have decided to start doing festivals. This decision was not made lightly as it is a pretty big decision. I've been so crazy busy making kimonos because, well, we need 100 for the festival. And 100 kimonos is a lot... However, I am so excited for the festival. Excited and nervous. Needless to say, we need everything to look professional and we want to make sure that our brand is present and obvious. We also need to not break the bank since this business has been started from almost nothing. So the first thing we had to do was get some tags for the kimonos. We ordered some sample labels and looked up prices online forever and everything was just way out of our price range. So the cheapest way to do it whilst still having beautiful labels? Spoonflower, which is the website where you design your own fabric. All you do is upload your logo and choose how big you want it printed on your fabric, which depends on how big you want your labels. I added 1/2 inch to the height and width of my logo to allow for ironing and sewing. You should do this too. In photoshop, I also added lines to the edges of my logo image so that I'd be able to easily cut the labels. Do it, it's super helpful. Also, order the Kona Cotton. I will end up having about 600 labels from this 1 yard of fabric, and it cost $20. Basically it is a super deal.

Okay... once you have your fabric, here's what ya do... First of all, get excited all over again that your logo is printed on fabric. It's pretty legit, just sayin'.

Cut the strips in rows like this. Don't cut out each individual label. You'll die in the process. Guaranteed.

Fold over and iron approximately a quarter inch to the back on the top and bottom of the labels. This is probably the most tedious part. 

Now you will stitch down both folds. Try to stay as close to the edge as possible. It's also easier to sew from this angle rather than sewing with the logo facing up. 

This is what the labels will look like after you've stitched at the top and bottom. 

Now, just cut each label along the lines. 

You're getting so close. Ok, so fold and iron approximately 1/4 inch down on both sides.

Pin the label where you want it on your garment. 

Last but not least.... stitch down on both sides. 

Tada! We like to make a bunch of these at a time and leave them where they are all individual labels. Then, when we are finished making a kimono we just slap one of these bad boys on and we're done. I think these labels are fun even if you only make clothes for yourself. They just add a special touch :)

-Casey & Savannah