Opinions, pretty please?

Cute idea! And I like your graphics and the wording you used- clever and original.

Just some thoughts here- maybe 'made just for you' or 'made especially for you/your new baby/bundle of joy' or 'custom made for you' instead of expressly? And not all quilts should or need to say love on the label. I make my quilts for people that I wouldn't use the word love- altho I don't make a quilt for someone that I am not fond of... I just do not use the word love lightly. There is also a wording along the lines of 'this original quilt designed and made by Jane Doe and presented to John Smith to celebrate your retirement'. I like to use the words original and designed on my labels. It makes the recipient feel really special! Another thought- quilt historians really like women to use both their maiden and married names and include their city and state. It doesn't mean that much to us, but a hundred years from now it could save a historian a bit of frustration.

Including washing instructions is a nice thought but I make my gift quilts to be tossed in the washing machine and dryer- treat it like you would treat a nice cotton shirt. Asking someone to wash in cool water (I read hand-wash into that???) and lay flat to dry might keep them from using it because the washing the quilt is a bother. But other folks' quilts may require hand washing, etc. so don't judge by mine! VBG

All that said, I make my own labels by printing the wording out with my computer and tracing the letters with a permanent pen onto my fabric label. So, I wouldn't buy complete pre-made labels- but I might buy labels with just the outer framed edges and graphics and write my own thoughts in a blank center area. But I know that many quilters *do* buy labels, so please don't let me discourage you. Great idea and I hope it works out well for you!

Connie, your labels are so pretty! :) I'm sure there would be some demand for them. I do make my own, as I like to put on lots of details and usually a picture of something to do with the quilt.

Thank you! :)

Thank you for the suggestions ... I'm not what you'd call a verbal person, so eloquence doesn't come naturally to me. I like your expressions much better!!!! Those are wonderful, awesome thoughts you have there!!! I'll change the wordings I've used - again, I like yours much, much better.

On Heritage quilts I was thinking to offer labels that DO document the quilter and their artistry more. Sort of like a "quick" history label (where made, who made, what pattern used, why it was made, etc).

LOL, mine are made to be tossed in the dryer, too. I put the cool water because I never really know how others wash their quilts. Like I said, I wash mine in the machine and pop them in the dryer, but that's because *I* made them and I don't value my quilts as much as I value others' (not sure if that makes much sense) ... Like Bronnie's antique quilt, I would NEVER pop them in the wash ... that kind would definitely be handwashed, laid flat and blocked - if washed at home at all. More than likely, I'd take it to a pro ...

I guess I was trying to cater to the most "fussy" (not trying to offend, but I've known quilters who'd be aghast at washing a quilt) ... I figure err on the side of caution. What do you think? Maybe offer labels with two different kinds of instructions???

I just think that too often quilters forget to let people know how to take care of the quilt they've received. Too, I think most people (who actually realize what goes into making a quilt) are too afraid to do anything other than store it in a acid free box in a safety deposit box ... my quilts have always been made to be used, loved, and worn out! :) And I'd like to see more people USE the quilts they've got - not hide them away ...

Hmmm .... I could offer labels with printing and without ... that way, new quilters would have some guidance on what to put on their label (my first 10 quilts are, sadly, without labels) and leave them blank for those that know what they want to say and don't need a strangers' help in saying it! :)

I really want to leave the quilter with as much creative freedom as possible ... that's why the labels I've done so far are black and white

- I've colored my own labels and I like doing that ...

Again, Leslie, you've made some awesome points and have given me more than enough to think about. I really appreciate your insights!! I hope you don't mind, but I'll more than likely ask (again, not trying to harass or impose) your opinions again! :)

Again, THANK YOU!! :)

Thank you, Sandy! :)

Do you do yours on a computer (or trace from a computer) or do you do them free-hand?

I meant to make the same offer to Leslie (just call me Fuzz Brain) ... but I've got GREAT font sites - free fonts that are just awesome! :) If you're interested, let me know and I'll post them ... I have about 10 (?) sites ... all free, all wonderful, all PC and Mac! :)

As some of you know I am in the process of trying to get a pattern company going. Yes I am working on the samples, working on the instructions and such. Hold ups at the moment are learning how to do the diagrams I want to include in the instructions, sigh, and the $$$ to get the rest of the stuff I need to get these out and hopefully selling. (Good thoughts that the lawyers may be finished messing around would be much appreciated... ) Anyway, DH and I have been discussing the whole business. And I need to decide on a font to use for my pattern covers. There are soooooo many neat ones. If you have a suggestion, I would love to have it. What I am looking for is something that is easy to read, but distinctive. The company name is "Then and Now Patterns" and will have an emphasis on contemporary interpretations of, and variations on, some of the traditional block patterns. So, if you have a suggestion of a font please let me know. The best address to use for me is: snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com (the reply to address above is still working, but not sure when earthlink will figure out we are no longer paying them. and it will go away.) You can also use: snipped-for-privacy@paticooks.com Website still under construction. One of the things that I keep bugging DH about. sigh)

thanks for any suggestions,

Pati, in Phx

Connie wrote: ...

Connie, very nice labels. Good luck with all of it, I think you have some good ideas. Appliqué/drawing is not my strong point at all.

You are gett> Hi all! :)

Connie, I just had a thought.... I know- a miracle!

Could you design the outer borders separately and then have a selection of 'innards that people could copy and paste and create their own labels? If I liked one border with a baby buggy but preferred a different wording than shown, could I insert another selection of wordings I liked better? That could cover the washing and care instructions as well- just copy and paste the appropriate care instructions into your very own customized label.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Thank you!! That IS a great idea ... but what application would they use to edit? I'm assuming Word would be the most common, I just don't know how well Adobe Illustrator (the application I use to draw with) would work with Word ... I think I could make that work ....

What do you use? Do you use Word?

Again, I hope I'm not being too much of an imposition ... I'm not so much concerned about my venture being a success per se, but just worthwhile ... :)

And again, THANK YOU!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you again! :)

Pfft ... I highly doubt that. Most people think they "can't" draw because they've never really tried or are too critical of their work. :)

I think so, too ... I wonder if she's open to a partnership? ;)

Heck, I don't know what I do!!! I'm a dyed-in-the-wool computer dummy! I just click on things and POOF! email or rctq magically appears on this little television screen that's sitting on my desk! It's amazing! LOL

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Diagrams? Like assembly diagrams you see in (example only, NAYY) American Patchwork & Quilting & other mags?

Those are usually done by graphic artists ... if you're looking for one (cheap but good) try

or ... what you'd do is post the parameters of your project and the pros would bid on your project and show you samples of their work. Then, you pick the best work at the best price for your budget. I'd say the average for a "technical illustration" (that's what it would be called) would be about $60 and you can even get your pattern package (cover, instructions laid out nicely and in a user-friendly fashion) for about $50-100 more (depending on the provider).

Also, have you thought about making the patterns downloadable PDFs? That way, your customers could pay for the pattern, get a link, and then print them out on their own printers! That would REALLY cut down your production costs ... and PayPal is a reliable source for eCommerce. They can pay you with PayPal - it's safe, secure, and quick! And best of all, CHEAP!

Easy to read, reliable in production are the key words ... I'd go with a serif if you can ... If you're going for antique-y, I've always liked Koch Antiqua. It's very old looking, easy to read, and stylish. It has an Art Deco feel but also (since type is probably more recycled than music!) very Victorian ... and it's a bit distressed (not so much that you can't read it easily) so it looks very handcrafted-y.

Oh and if you find any fonts in print or what have you that you like and want to know WHAT the font is and how to find it, go to

- there you can upload the image of the font, answer a few (simple) questions and it will tell you the name of the font - it's AWESOME! :)

HTH!! :)

Leslie, you made my day! That was VERY funny! Thank you! :)

As you are seeking opinions, as in a survey, this might be a good place for a 'me too' reply - because then you'll get an idea of numbers?

I'm afraid I would not buy a 'worded' label; but I would be very interested, as Leslie says, in an attractively bordered, blank label.

I believe you would be cutting down your potential market quite a lot, by putting wording on the labels themselves.

Now, I am a complete ignoramus when it comes to possible computer techniques; but, if there were a way for someone to use their computer to print their own words onto your bordered blank, I reckon that would be very popular.

Good luck. . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes snipped

Connie, in the quilting industry most designers make thier own graphics as the cost of getting someone else to do it is just too high compared with the $ a pattern brings in - only the more well known ones can spend money for such things - anyway it's not really neccesary as it's amazing what can be done in word combined with pictures taken from EQ!

Jessamy In The Netherlands

Oh, please ... not just numbers! If you have a critique please tell me! I want to know what you all THINK - not just in terms of saleability, but also in aesthetic-ness.

I don't want to just make money on this ... I want it to be an actual benefit to quilters. There's enough "Ooh-jump-on-the-bandwagon-so-I can-sell-worthless-crap-to-unsuspecting-quilters" out there!

How about offering both? I don't want to leave out those who just don't have access (or the know-how) to add the text themselves ... I used to work for a Govt contracting corp and you'd be surprised how many people don't know how to do simple cut-n-paste ...

Or does that sound stupid? I mean, my whole idea is to sell them online so people can download and print on their own computers instead of waiting for a package or their next trip to their LQS - so I guess that if they have THAT capability & know-how, they'd have the capability to add their own text, right??

I think that IS possible, but I have to figure out a way for them to do it as simply as possible ... Word is not what you'd call my best friend (Adobe products are!) ... The last thing I'd want is to take someone's money and leave them unable to USE what they bought! :(

Thank you!! :)

Connie- I see one flaw in your thinking about downloading the labels and having them right now. I do not keep those fancy supplies you need to print the labels. I'd have to order them or trek 120 miles to Springfield to buy the stuff. If I were to use your labels, I'd prolly resort to my tracings with a permanent pen onto the fabric for my label.

Just a thought...

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I figured as much ... but in my business, I've seen too many people who should have let a "pro" do it! If you've been a fly on the wall all the times a client came to me asking me to "fix" something their relative or friend did (logo, brochure, illustration, etc) ... you'd offer the same advice I did! :)

For the illys, I think doing it herself would be more than fine ... but I would definitely let a pro do the logo ... as they say, "you have 5 seconds to impress!" She could also spend about $50 to have a pro design a pattern "cover" and make it into a template that she can "plug" the text and images into ...

Something like that would only take about 10-15 minutes (although she'd pay for an entire hour at least - about $60?) ... in fact, I'll do it for her if she likes! In exchange for maybe a few patterns? :)

Connie, your labels are beautiful. I have purchased labels in the past, but most go unused. I find that I like to include more information than the room on the labels allows, and often the colours or sentiment just don't match the quilt. I would love to find label designs that I could type my own info into before printing!

Thank you! There's more on the way! :)

Are there any subjects/themes that YOU'D like to see? I'm planning a while bunch (applique & label sets) ... ? Ducks (planning on doing a hunting scene applique pattern - for the hubbys, sons and bros), ? a "Bonnet Baby" (like the label), ? Folk Art stars, ? Folk Art chicken and chicks, ? Flower (realistic) bouquet ? Veggies & Fruit (realistic - using hand-dyeds) ? Big Mouth Bass/Trout (for the hubbys, sons, & bros) ? Cat & flowers ? Clothesline & drying clothes

These will be offered as applique only, as a medallion, and in conjunction with other blocks (all in same pattern). But each will come with a themed label.

And a few others that I haven't solidified on yet ... Do any of these sound good to ya'll? Or is it a case of "Have to see it first?" I'd guess the latter ...

Hmmm ... can I ask why? Is it a matter of mood/direction change? Or too much trouble?

Hmmm ... about how much room are you looking for? I tend to write REALLY "large" (I'm a forms creator's nightmare!) and I'm doing my best not to have that particular handicap make the labels too large - but maybe I'm making them too small?? I think the average width is about 5 inches with the average height being about 4 ... Does that sound too small or too big??

I was planning on offering a B/W version and a color version - I like to color my labels with Pigma pens - and I assume that others do, too. Also, I'm concerned that the colors *I* choose won't necessarily compliment others' color schemes for their quilts ... I really don't want to handicap or limit other quilters that way ...

I was also thinking this: I'm thinking about making "sets" - an applique pattern that comes with a coordinating label (or the label could be purchased alone) - and not only providing a label with and without wording, but also in several sizes. Also, the labels would be already laid out, say 4 up (4 labels per page) and 1 label per page. I always have a hard time just printing one small thing on a sheet - so much gets wasted that way!

I'm going to work on that, too. Hubby is a whiz with Word (while I am NOT) and he can show me how to do it so I can provide a tutorial. I'm also hoping to have free tutorials on my site that will show other nifty techniques - so they can get the most out of their patterns.

Here's another question:

On applique patterns, do you feel that you HAVE to see a sample? Would a drawing of the finished applique be enough or is the actual, executed sample really important???

Again, thanks ya'll for the AWESOME feedback!! :) I REALLY appreciate it!! :)

BTW, not sure if I already mentioned this, but if you guys want to play with my labels, holler and I'll send you a good, crisp copy! I only ask that you let me know if they turned out alright - and that I get a peek at the quilts you use'em on! :)