by toogie ( edited 14 Jan 2018 ) 13 Jan 2018

Hello Cuties, here is just another luggage tag but what I have to tell you will explain why I posted it.

I just made my first ones, since Christmas, and since no instructions came with the free design I figured out how to hoop and embroider. Or rather I figured a few weeks ago. Tonight I boo- boo-ed but saved it I think.
First mistake-I should have hooped WSS but I hooped cutaway.
After I started stitched the top Gone Again, I knew I had hooped the wrong stabilizer to get a clean edge when I stitched my last color, the satin stitch.
So instead of wasting my cutaway and pretty cloth, I went ahead and finished it in the hoop without stopping to trim my fabric.
After my final stitch, I removed it from my hoop and trimmed just the stabilizer FIRST. Then I laid it flat and placing my ruler along each edge, I trimmed the front and back edge evenly away from the satin stitch, being careful not to cut my strap off in the process.
Because I knew I could never get a pretty satin edge with cutaway not showing, I decided to fringe it like the raggedy edges. I thought it wouldn't show the white of the stabilizer as much and I saved my mistake. What do you think?
I know that is a loaded question and I think this tag is appropriately named, because times like this I think my mind HAS Gone Again!- lol😉

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by peafarm 05 Feb 2018

You mean there is still hope for me--in the mind department??? Great Save!! I have so many downloaded freebies with no instructions and have to sit and think a bit and leave it alone sometimes. I am beginning to think when all else fails go with water soluble and if I forget that premise then go to cut a way stabilizer and if it doesn't work out it goes in my sample pile which is ever growing. I sit with a note book in hand to try and figure out a lot of the thread changes and if they are for placement tackdown etc. If my embroidery screen shows tack downs, placements I try to change the threads in the machine to all white just to remind me. Doesn't always help though. Again--great save and looks like it was supposed to be done that way. who would know the difference.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 05 Feb 2018

Thank you and yes, there's always hope!

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by jrob Moderator 04 Feb 2018

Dang good save!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 05 Feb 2018

lol-lol-w-e-l-l thanks!

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by grobin 30 Jan 2018

Looks great.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 31 Jan 2018

Thanks

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by Sewmum1 15 Jan 2018

Love your ragged edge tag. Great save

1 comment
toogie by toogie 16 Jan 2018

Thank you

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by noah 14 Jan 2018

Looks great Toogie hugs

1 comment
toogie by toogie 16 Jan 2018

Thanks

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by katydid 14 Jan 2018

Great job. Hate it when the instructions are missing. Kay

1 comment
toogie by toogie 16 Jan 2018

I do too Kay, but most times you can figure it out. Thanks

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by rachap 14 Jan 2018

It looks great. I like the way you think outside the box (Or should I say Hoop??) to come up with a solution to a problem.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 16 Jan 2018

Thank you, sometimes when my thinking goes away, it comes back-lol-I should have knew better than to hoop cutaway. Oh well, someone will have a unique one and should surely spot their luggage.

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by joycedia 14 Jan 2018

I think you did a great "save" on this tag. Nicely done!!
** Wondering where the "Gone Again" embroidery design came from and/or what font it is? I would really like this design as it applies to my life too. :) Thanks for sharing the pictures and description.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

The 'Gone Again' saying was suggested by kingmar. I had asked in Community for gift ideas and she suggested this as one of the sayings for luggage. The font was one I had downloaded free from mycutesewboutique. It is still free and comes in 6 sizes.

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by evilsoft 14 Jan 2018

Your great. I would have used a pinking blade or shears. I think your fringe is much better. Great save.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Thanks, the pinking shears would have been another option but tried this first.

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by parkermom 13 Jan 2018

I like the raggy edges. And the fabric! Maybe our minds have gone to the same place, because mine has been absent for a while now.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Then we are in the 'same boat' so to speak. Thanks!

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by kustomkuddle 13 Jan 2018

Great save Toogie. Looks like it was made to be this.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

It is now!-lol

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by sewtired 13 Jan 2018

Great work Toogie!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Thanks!

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by sonjapotgieter 13 Jan 2018

So Awesome work...Beautiful!!Love it

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Thank you Sonja

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by lbrow 13 Jan 2018

Wonderful job Toogie. I like the ragged edge. Makes it look different. and I like different, but like you I hate all that snipping, makes my hand cramp

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

That's it Mrs Lillian, hurts your hands, that is why that John Deere baby quilt in still in the UFO bin. Thanks and good to see more of you. Hope the leg is getting some pink back in it.

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by pennyhal2 13 Jan 2018

My mind is "gone again" a lot! I think it's a great save and am particularly fond of the fabric. As they say, you have to learn from the mistakes of others as you won't live long enough to make them all yourself.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

lol, lol- I sure am giving it a try though!

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by basketkase 13 Jan 2018

Love your luggage tags.....great job! Pretty fabric, too....

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Thanks the fabric was a fat quarter I got on sale.

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by cooperal 13 Jan 2018

Well done! That wasn't a mistake, it was an opportunity to be creative. As I used to tell my young beginner sewers, "DIFFERENT doesn't mean WRONG". Besides we often learn valuable lessons when we make a mistake. I love your tag the way it is. Be blessed, Avis

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Thank you Avis. A good way of looking at things, too.

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by kingmar 13 Jan 2018

Great save. Love the fabric. You may have started a new trend in luggage tags. mk

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Oh I hope not, got too many of the other!-lol

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by sjbrower 13 Jan 2018

Nice save Toogie! you are so creative!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

Born of necessity!-lol

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by crafter2243 Moderator 13 Jan 2018

That is a great save never to be duplicated

1 comment
toogie by toogie 14 Jan 2018

lol- not likely! thanks

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by dragonflyer 13 Jan 2018

Great save, Toogie...bet it took a bit of time to cut those raggy slits though!

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

Not this little thing, but I do have a baby quilt that is so close to finishing, it really wouldn't take much longer. I just gave up on it with all THAT snipping! ..Thanks

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by pcteddyb 13 Jan 2018

Nice Save.

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

Thanks

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by mrskiki 13 Jan 2018

Looks terrific to me! Hugs. Nan

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

Thanks Nan. I won't purposely make another like it, but this one was saved to give.

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by sewmadau 13 Jan 2018

Great work, looks great

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

Thank you very much. Are you new here? If so, Welcome to Cute!

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by airyfairy 13 Jan 2018

Love it. Something a bit different

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

Another way of spotting your different luggage!-lol Thanks!

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by pennifold 13 Jan 2018

Great save Toogie, it's always good to show our mistakes and we can all learn from them. I don't know how many times I've done something and have missed a step along the way and had to go back and redo it. Love Chris

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

That's why I think this site and all the Cuties (including you) are such a blessing to me. I learn from all of you and hopefully, someone can learn from me. At least, I hope I do more good than harm-lol

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by westozi 13 Jan 2018

Love it. I think you were very clever to retrieve your mistake the way you did and I love the colour. Where did you get the pattern?

1 comment
toogie by toogie 13 Jan 2018

Oh gosh, it's been so long ago that I download, maybe 12 years. Do you go to designsbysick.com? They have tags. You could basically use any shape applique you like. Just make your strap separately, like I did on my regular sewing machine.
Hoop your WSS- Your applique should have a placement stitch for color 1 and then float your top fabric on top of WSS over placement line.
Color 2 should be a tackdown stitch to hold your fabric. Now you will have to repeat the tack down step, to tack the back on. ( I hope you know how to do this with your machine. Just back up a color.)
Then removing the hoop from machine, but not removing the stabilizer/tag from the hoop, you just insert the strap you have made on back of your WWS about 1/2 inch and then place your back fabric over the strap, securing with tape or however you do. I pin but my pins are on top, way out of way of needle. Now run that tack down stitch color again and if it is a good applique it will have a zig-zag step/color change. I run that too.
Now removing the hoop from machine, NOT the project from the hoop, carefully trim your top fabric without cutting or pulling on the WSS. Turn hoop over and trim the back fabric BUT be careful and don't cut your strap. Now place hoop back on the machine and stitch the satin edge of the applique.
I think I explained this ok, but it is late at night, early morning for me so ask tomorrow if not sure.
I did forget to mention, it you want to embroider a phrase or saying, do this on the front top only, before you place your back and strap on! I stitch my saying after my fabric is tacked down. I also cut my strap 2 1/2 inch wide by 7in or longer if you prefer. If you can't make the strap, ask tomorrow.If you can, then great!
After removing from hoop and WSS I then take it to my sewing machine and stitch 3 sides of a plastic piece on the reverse side (if you emb one side) leaving an opening on top short end to insert address card. Whew!
You did ask!-lol-Good night Toogie

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