raccoon week: gift tags

more raccoon week... today we have Erin from Just Plain Lovely with a super fabulous tutorial for raccoon gift tags!

Eeep! Would it be awkward to admit that while you're reading this, I'm doing tiny little cartwheels in my head?;) That's how excited I am to be here on Imagine Gnats today... talking about raccoons, no less!

If you haven't heard, raccoon is the new black and this week, you'll find out exactly why. I'm assuming you've already patched up your favorite sweater with a pair of stylin' raccoon elbow patches? I most certainly have!

My take on Rachael's fab little raccoon may not be as wearable or as fashionably thrilling, but it's cute and it'll make more than a few of your giftees grin this holiday season. Plus, you can check out another way to use this little guy over on my blog on Thursday! So... grab your raccoon template and let's get started!

This is what you'll need: -- One 4" x 4" square & scraps of Pellon® 805R Wonder-Under® -- One 4" x 4" square of Pellon® 809 Décor-Bond® -- three coordinating fabrics -- card stock -- ribbon -- embroidery needle -- scissors -- rotary cutter & mat -- raccoon template -- gift tags template

Start by printing out both templates. Cut out your raccoon template according to Rachael's instructions. Cut out one gift tag (or more if you're making multiples!) and punch a hole on the 'x'. Cut a piece of ribbon (however long you'd like!)

Next, you'll want to cut a 4"x4" square from two of your fabrics, one for the raccoon face and one for the back. Cut 4"x4" squares from both the Décor-Bond and the Wonder-Under®. Decide which fabrics you'll use for the various pieces of the raccoon and cut out your fabrics and Wonder-Under® accordingly.

Fuse the interfacings to the respective fabrics and let cool. Trace your templates onto the backs of the interfaced fabric. Make sure to flip the template pieces as needed -- ie: flip so the raccoon face is down to trace onto the Décor-Bond & make sure raccoon face is up when tracing onto the Wonder-Under®. For duplicate parts (cheeks, ears, eyes), make sure to trace one of each side. Once tracing is complete, cut each piece out carefully.

Now it's assembly time! First, remove the paper-backing from all pieces. I like to lightly score the paper back with a pin to help the process along. Next, you'll want to place the two raccoon faces wrongs sides together and fuse in place. Now, following the guide on the raccoon's face, fuse each piece in place one by one until your fab little raccoon is complete!

If you're using an embroidery needle, you should be able to easily thread the ribbon through. Push the needle through one raccoon ear. You'll need to work it a little, but it should be relatively easy. Then, cut the ribbon in half to free the needle and tie in a top knot. Thread the knot through the hole in the gift tag, pull the ends of the ribbon up through the loop, and you're done! Add words of love and gift away!

Added bonus? Your giftee could easily remove the tag and hang onto the raccoon for a bag embellishment, a tree ornament, or... an eye patch;).

Thanks so very much to Rachael for having me!!

yep, that's right! i have the best bloggy friends :) how cool are these gift tags? thanks, Erin!!

if you make raccoon gift tags from this tutorial, please share pics in the imagine gnats flickr group. pattern and tutorial are for personal use only.

happy stitching!