Quilt labels 101 - help needed

There are so many ways to label a quilt it's simply amazing! I always sign and date any quilt I make, and I do that by taking a light pencil or wash-out marker (the blue one) or a light-fading marker (the purple one) and writing my signature and the date. Then I take a colored thread that goes well with the quilt colors and outline stitch over the marks, and the signature is there forever (unless somebody actually takes the trouble to pick out the stitches someday -- naughty, naughty!) And it may smack of arrogance, but I always do it on the front of the quilt, either on an edge next to the binding or somewhere rather "hidden" in the face of the quilt itself. On a couple of quilts I inherited and which were not signed, I did the labeling in the same way, but did it on the back of the quilts, adding the name of the quilter, the date as close as I can figure it out, the original recipient's name, and the occasion if I know that. On those quilts, I also add my initials and the current year in parentheses so that later on my relatives will know the original maker didn't sign the quilt. I have one quilt which was duly signed by the quilter with an indelible pen about 40 years ago, and sadly, that has smeared and faded, so I don't have a lot of faith in pens.

Alice, I frequently use computer-printed labels on my quilts. I like to put a photo on most of them, too; perhaps a photo of your FIL would be appropriate in this case? Is your label program the HP one? That's what I have, and it makes it very easy to add a photo from your computer and then type in the information you'd like to add. However, you can do much the same thing with almost any word processing program. :)

At any rate, I use fabric made specially for printing via the computer; most often I've used Printed Treasures, but I'm also going to experiment with the EQ sheets soon; their samples in Houston were very nice. I have used the June Taylor (Tailor?) sheets, but they're very stiff. To combat that, you could add strips around the edges by machine and then hand stitch the whole thing to your quilt. That's what I ended up doing on my Mardi Gras quilt (, scroll down to the detail shots).

BTW, I always hand stitch my labels onto the back of my quilts; I suspect iron-on would stay awfully stiff, but I'm not sure. I also don't worry about someone perhaps going to the trouble of taking off the label; if they want to take credit for my quilts that badly, they'll find a way, even if machine stitched on.

I know that some people manage to piece the label into the backing, but I don't have a lot of faith in my ability to do that, keep the label straight, and not have it end up off the edge.

AliceW wrote: I want to do this right.

Alice, I don't think there is a "wrong" way.

I always write my labels right on the quilt the same way I do the free motion quilting. I usually put "made with love for _____ by (my name) and the date". More or less.

Judie

Sandy, thanks for the info. How do you keep the computer printing from washing out? Does it have to be set to make it permanent?

I machine write the info directly onto the quilt. Usually in the block at the lower right corner. Barbara in FL

Alice, there is not really a "right" way to label quilts. Whatever works, works. If you are printing onto fabric, get some of the stabilized and treated fabrics that are made just for that. Follow the directions to set the ink. Before you buy the fabric sheets.... check the care instructions. Many are washable, but there are some that say not to use detergent/soap. Some may not last through drycleaning. and so on. The care info is very important to preserve the labels.

Printed Treasures are a good brand, and I understand the EQ sheets are also good ones to use.

IF you have lettering capability with your sewing machine you could also make the labels that way. Or program a label if you have an embroidery machine. I use Pigma brush pens to write directly onto the back of most of my quilts. If that doesn't really show up, or entry requirements specify "label sewn on" then I write onto a piece of fabric, often an "extra" block or shape from the quilt pattern and sew that onto the back of the fabric. I do try to include two adjacent sides of the label when I sew the binding on.

Pati, > I have to confess, most of my quilts are not heirlooms so I don't do

Love this topic! I am going to try printing a label next time. Up until now, I've usually made an extra block, wrote my name, date, etc. and then embroidered it. I hand-sew it to the back of the quilt and do some little pseudo-hand- quilting over it. I put it on the bottom right side of the back. Last quilt I spent a tremendous, no, a *ridiculous* amount of time getting it just "so." I did not realize until I was done that I'd sewed the whole block/label upside down. I can do the dumbest things. And spend so much time doing them before I realize I've screwed up.

Sherry

Thank you all for your excellent suggestions and tips. I have the layout of the label drafted so I am well on my way. I will try the Printed Treasures paper and see how it goes.

Alice "Do what you like, like what you do"

Oh, Sherry, I love your story! I have been getting very good at making sure up is up and down is down, but with 6 quilts to label and bind, I will need to be careful. These quilts are not directional so I should be in pretty good shape - at least with these!

Alice "Do what you like, like what you do"

Love this topic! I am going to try printing a label next time. Up until now, I've usually made an extra block, wrote my name, date, etc. and then embroidered it. I hand-sew it to the back of the quilt and do some little pseudo-hand- quilting over it. I put it on the bottom right side of the back. Last quilt I spent a tremendous, no, a *ridiculous* amount of time getting it just "so." I did not realize until I was done that I'd sewed the whole block/label upside down. I can do the dumbest things. And spend so much time doing them before I realize I've screwed up.

Sherry

Careful there, Alice. Be sure to buy the right Printed Treasures sheets. You want the ones that let you stitch them to the quilts. Even those are a little tough to needle so you'll want to machine stitch a skinny sashing around them. The Treasures sheets have an instruction about holding the printed sheets under running water for a minute or two. I know time is tight and some of us have an attitude about reading instructions but this is a time when you'd better do it. Trust me. Polly

Thanks Polly. This is the one time I really need to get it right - that's why I came to my friends for advice! Labels are now designed so as soon as I get the right sheets, I will print a test label and put it through the paces before I print the final labels.

Alice "Do what you like, like what you do"

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It all depends on the brand, Alice. Just follow the instructions, and you should be okay. For the Printed Treasures, I let it all "set" for a while (overnight, if possible, just to be sure), then rinse it and allow to air dry, then press with a hot iron. After that I sew it onto the quilt, and I haven't yet had the printed "stuff" wash out.