Custom Fabric Labels

     I’ve been thinking for ages that I should have labels in the hats I sell on Etsy.  They would look more professional, and since I ship so many internationally (I just had my first sale to Japan!) it just seems like a good idea, as well as being a marketing tool.  There are several places to order labels, but they all take ages to arrive, and I would be limited to one style.  But it’s hard to design one label for all of my hats.  I couldn’t find a font that looked right for pirate hats and Regency bonnets, and sticking to one color scheme would prove difficult too (I seem to be addicted to color). 

      Well, today I had an epiphany.  It was like a light bulb turning on over my head, only this was a whole chandelier!  I have everything I need to make my own labels, as many or as few as I want, in as many colors and styles as I can think of. 

     I used Crafter’s Images PhotoFabric Cotton Poplin that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics, and printed my own labels.  Then I ironed a fusible backing on and cut each one out.  Now when I make a hat I just pick a label to match, peel off the backing and iron it in place.  Easy as cake!  And they look great on my pirate hats, bonnets, and teacup fascinators.

     They are simple and quick to make, and the poplin has such a tight weave that I don’t have to worry about the edges fraying.  I ended up with 36 labels for under $2 in a matter of minutes.  I’m delighted with my new labels!